Natisse2 said:

thanks! (but i don't celebrate halloween) thanks anyways tho!

fantasyislander said:

It is! You're the bomb!

fantasyislander said:

oh sorry hon I didn't realise...well have a good weekend!!!! thank you for all your help sweetie...it means a lot it really does

applekisses said:

so are you!!

Natisse2 said:

Awww...shucks

applekisses said:

it's true I so hope I can meet up with you when I'm there!

asylum said:

You mean for the "Hamburg"er?

Natisse2 said:

ME TOO! If you come through Chicago I might be able to make it down. It's about 3.5 hours drive from here.

applekisses said:

i apoligize for hans' attempt at condiment humour.

hans-stop giggling.

applekisses said:

let me see how I go - I'll try and organise something

I'd love to get everyone's opinion on what greyhound buses are like compared to AMTRAK trains...I'm interested to know

I've never taken the train

so, does anyone on day shift here in the US have stories about bus travel??

If you've ever driven on a long trip with someone who had to stop at every rest stop to go to the bathroom, it's like that, only dirty. It takes a long time to drive places but even longer when the damn bus stops at every city.

I vote that we all send you $5 and you take a plane, there's always deals for $250 from LA to Detroit with Spirit Air. That's only 50 people's worth of the donations, when are you planning on leaving?

Slave2daGroove said:

that sounds like a great idea, but i think she was planning on stopping in phoenix, chicago, and philly.

if she decides to travel by bus should she worry about her safety?

fantasyislander said:

Bring mace, make friends with the bus driver and keep your eyes open to your surroundings. She'll be fine.

Slave2daGroove said:

thanks!

applekisses said:

If you stop over in Denver let me know and I will come take you to lunch!!

Natisse said:

The train is safer, seriously.

applekisses said:

i think so too. and on a train you get to get up and walk around, go to the cafe or dining car, check out the observation car (if your train has one) and you can buy real food there too! plus, the train goes in some of the more "untouched" country, so you get some really beautiful scenery out your window. on a bus you just see the highway. i think you should take the train Nat!

fantasyislander said:

Me too!

Natisse said:

So where are you going again Nat?

The bus!!!!!
I always hear horror stories,theft,prostitutes,sickly people
Maybe take a train if its possible

althom said:

lol I'm flying into LA and flying out of NYC...that's as much as is definate at this stage

things will be definate when I get my visa and make concrete plans

I've only ridden a Greyhound bus once, from Boston to Brunswick, Maine. Some of the passengers appeared to be relatively poor, but I never felt unsafe. My only complaints were:

1) Since the bus travels via roads, it's subject to the same traffic delays that affect cars. (I think I arrived at least an hour late.)

2) Instead of taking the fastest route (I-95), the bus took slower roads so that it could make stops in various places along the way.

Natisse said:

what are your dates flying in and out? do you have a few weeks to spend between LA and NY?

matt said:

see, I wouldn't mind the travelling itself - I love it! and I get to see more of the country the longer it takes

thanks for your opinion, Matt

fantasyislander said:

I'm not sure of dates yet...that'll happen when I get my visa I'll book everything then...as for how long in the US? I'm hoping to spend the least amount of money that I possibly can which will mean not too long staying there...

well, I've worked out a tentative date to leave Australia - Sunday 20th February I'll fly out of Australia

I've been looking and here's what I've found

I can FLY LA - NYC for US$138
or go by GREYHOUND COACH LA - NYC (with 2 stops along the way) for US$174
or go by AMTRAK TRAIN LA - NYC for US$133