Byline: by Jenna Alexander
Page THERE are three things every student just loves to do: laze about, party and travel. So what better way to celebrate graduation than by taking a holiday that encompasses all three? Ignoring the undergraduate hotspots of Magaluf and Ayia Napa, we opted instead to mark the end of student life with an action-packed road trip down the eastern seaboard of the United States.
But it was a road trip with a difference - we wouldn't be driving.
Sticking to student tradition, we travelled on the cheap and cheerful Megabus between five different states.
With tickets from as little as $1 (66p), it seemed a superb way to go. There would be plenty of time to laze about on the bus during the day and party at night. Like a cosmopolitan in NYC, it made for a perfect cocktail.
Our first port of call was historic Boston and a chance to see that most treasured American sport, baseball. Despite not knowing any of the rules - I reckoned it was just a glorified version of rounders - my friend Rhona and I found ourselves cheering, chanting and belting out Neil Diamond's Sweet Caroline at the bottom of the eighth innings (I still have no idea what that means but it sounds impressive) among the home Red Sox fans.
When Kevin Youkilis stepped up to bat to a chorus of boos from his own fans, I joined in furiously - only to feel piercing eyes and seething resentment.
What to me sounded like 'boo, boo, boo' was in fact an affectionate chant of 'Youk, Youk, Youk' as Kevin went on to smash the ball towards Fenway Park's Green Monster - a 37-foot wall, built to stop balls flying out of the ground and damaging property outside.
The best way to see Boston is undoubtedly on the Trolley Tours, where you see the whole of the city and are kept entertained by the wacky drivers, with invitations to participate in some singing along the way.
There are also plenty of swanky outdoor bars in the Faneuil Hall area if you fancy some good cocktails and a little dancing in the evening. We opted for Mija, a Mexican-inspired restaurant and tequila bar.
Tequila back home tends to be akin to paint stripper. Beware anything that comes out of a bottle with a fake Mexican sombrero on top. But in America it's a class act and with more than 150 varieties, it would have been rude not to try at least one.
Before we knew it, we were dancing in the street - and even got the bouncer to join in.
It's a novelty for us, where ordering at the bar is the norm, but most American bars feature waitress service. It's a good system in theory but you do tend to overspend, as your tab racks up quickly and you must remember to tip the waitress. Just as well our travel costs were so low.
Connecticut was a relaxing drive away and unlike airports, where hours can be wasted in queues and security, you can turn up at the bus station 15 minutes before departure.
It might be cheap and cheerful, but Megabus was always on time. Equipped with those essentials for anyone under 25 - WiFi, a power plug and air conditioning - it was the perfect way to travel.
If you're planning on visiting a few states, the bus is definitely the cost-effective way for those on a budget. We paid between $2 and $10 apiece for each journey. The buses were clean and the atmosphere aboard felt safe and not at all intimidating.
AFTER a brief stopover at the Ivy League Yale University - nice for exstudents to see others with their noses to the academic grindstone - we were back on the coach to New York.
Standing in the middle of Times Square is like an out-of-body experience. With the buzz of tourists and the honking horns of yellow cabs, it's difficult to take in the amazing surroundings of the colourful billboards and swarm of people that fill the area.
That's when I heard a voice shout 'Jenna' and someone threw their arms around me. It was a girl I'd met on a cruise more than two years ago who just happened to be in New York at the same time as me and standing in the exact same spot.
The bright lights of Broadway are a big draw so if, like me, you're looking to save cash, the TKTS booth in Times Square sells cutprice tickets for most shows. On top of that, if you're in the big city for a few days and plan on seeing the usual sights, the New York Pass is a great money-saver. It gets you in to more than 70 attractions, with the option of a tour bus ticket for a little extra.
The pass got me in to Radio City Music Hall. This gem is a must for both music and art lovers and you even get to meet a Rockette, one of the leggy troupe of precision dancers there.
SHOW seen, money saved, we headed to a rooftop bar called the Hudson Terrace. It was all you'd expect - great music, great atmosphere - but a bonus was a stunning view of the Hudson River with the stars overhead.
Like most bar/clubs in America, you can expect to pay a door charge of around $10 per person and drinks at the Hudson Terrace started at around $13. It was a little bit pricey by Scottish student standards but, having cut financial corners elsewhere, it was worth it.
It was the morning after the night before and I was in desperate need of sleep. The Megabus pulled out on time and I caught 40 winks before starting over in Philadelphia.
The City of Brotherly Love had an oddly familiar feel. Last year, while Hollywood hunk Brad Pitt was filming his sci-fi thriller World War Z in Glasgow, I'd wandered over to the set to see what all the fuss was about.
George Square had been turned into Philadelphia, with American street signs erected everywhere. Now I could see the true version.
We knew that we had to try the famous Philly Cheesesteak, aka the Philly Melt - a baguette filled with steak cut so thin that it mingles with the cheese, My verdict? I'd rather have that student favourite the Greggs steak bake.
Thankfully, my faith in American food was restored when I arrived in Washington DC that night. Founding Farmers restaurant, just a short walk from the White House, was a culinary delight. All food was locally sourced and the vegetables were so fresh you'd swear they'd been uprooted that day.
We returned the next day to sample their breakfast and it did not disappoint. Three layers of pancakes, topped with whipped cream and fresh-cut strawberries proved just the pick-me-up we needed to continue our adventure.
Although Washington is known for its Smithsonian museums that stretch all down the National Mall, which also features Congress and the Lincoln Memorial, I enjoyed the Newseum best.
It takes you through the biggest stories that have gripped the world, from presidential election campaigns to the horror of the 9/11 atrocity. You can even try your hand at being a Fox News or CNN anchor with your own broadcast.
All in all, it was quite a way to mark the transition from student life to the real world and, with a bit of canny planning, a very affordable one too.
TRAVEL FACTS BOOK Megabus tickets via us.megabus.com. A Boston to New York trip will cost around $13 single and $20 return. Save on 70 attractions with www.newyorkpass.com. For information on TKTS booth locations in New York, visit www.tdf.org. You can also download the free app that gives the listings for that day.
CAPTION(S):
Canny travel: Jenna and Rhona
Cut-price kicks: A trip to the Radio City Music Hall was affordable
