Well, after my whirlwind romance with New York City I decided it was time for a change of pace so headed over to New Jersey to visit an old friend. I stumbled through lower Manhattan hungover like a dog after a quality night out with some guys from the hostel, Steve and Warren (good on ya guys!!). Port Authority bus station, NYC makes a mockery of any bus station ive ever been to thats for sure. Over 500 bus stops, or gates, in one bloody station. Not the kind of place you want to be navigating after 4 hours sleep!
A pleasant 30 minute bus ride later, after some hearty banter with the very loud female driver, I arrived in Montclair where my buddy Rob met me at the stop. It was funny, its been 5 years since we've seen each other but it was just like we said our goodbyes yesterday. We headed back to his place via a local Soccer game (Rob is a soccer coach/scout/manager here in NJ).
Montclair is your classic picturesque leafy suburb, trees of red and green overhanging the roads and huge HUGE wooden houses. Its truely gorgeous, especially the millionaires rows in Upper Montclair.
On my second night here myself and Rob got the train back to Manhattan and went to see The Verve at Madison Square Garden - phenomenal. He played all the classics and some cool new stuff too, and of course Bittersweet Symphony raised the roof. Ashcroft is a truely great front man.
The last few days I have been getting involved in Robs training sessions. He coaches boys and girls from around 10 - 16yrs of age. The standard is very high, the equivalent of a centre of excellence back home. I really enjoyed getting back on the pitch. Rob reckons I had a few shonky touches, I blame the boots he gave me 
All the coaches who work for Robs company are cool and they all go out for a few beers as and when which is good fun. The locals are all really friendly and all it takes is one word at the bar and you're off. In fact yesterday I asked for a beer in Erie Saloon and the guy beside pipes up..."Aaah Australian eh" Ha ha. Top bloke though, we had a chat over a beer before his wife called him in - comedy.
Looking forward to a great weekend with some nights out planned and a 8am KO game for Robs boys. They're a great bunch of kids so hoping the can get a much deserved win on Sat.
Planning another week and a half here before heading South to N/S Carolina and Georgia where im planning to pass through Charleston and Savannah which are reputed to be amongst the most beautiful towns in the whole USA.
Now im off for a monster American style lunch at Ray's Place (local eatery) where they serve cheesesteak sandwiches the size of breezeblocks !!
