There are hostels in the US, they're just not always easy to find. There's one in Key West, one in the heart of South Beach, and one in Brunswick, Georgia (the hostel in the woods - a great experience).
I wouldn't plan on spending too much time in Dallas. Once you've seen the Sixth Floor Museum and Dealey Plaza, there's not a heck of a lot to do there.
LA is ...diffuse. Hard to get around. That said, do NOT miss the Museum of Jurassic Technology. It's just like it sounds. A museum. Of Jurassic technology. I also like the Sunday brunch at Duke's on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. It costs around $15, but it's all you can eat, and the view is great.
San Francisco might be a friendlier city for a budget traveler - more easy to get around, more character in the city itself. It's a seven hour drive north of LA.
New Orleans is nice in October. See if you can't stay in Garden District - the French Quarter is a bit pricey.
If you're going in a straight line, it makes more sense to go New Orleans up to Chicago, then over to New York and DC. Chicago in November is going to be somewhat hostile as far as climate goes (I'm a tropical flower, myself, and prone to wilt when exposed to snow).
Actually, LA in September is still going to be pretty fucking uncomfortable outside - any reason why you can't start on the East Coast and work your way west?
Bangkok sounds cool. Got close, but never there (would up spending a night in Kuala Lumpur between planes instead). I had a great time in Indonesia, and recommend that. Vietnam ain't far from there.
Kathmandu is pretty close to North India (although clearly not *in* India), which might be a hard place to be near in the next few months. Hopefully, things will have cleared up by next May, but you never can tell.
The walk sounds excellent. The Germany I know is the other bit - relatives in Bavaria, the German Dixie. Prague is very traveller-friendly. If it was me, I'd plan on heading to university towns.
On where to stay, well, Lonely Planet guides are a big help. In Asia, the cities all seem to have "traveler's districts" - basically backpacker ghettos, filled with places to get cheap, good, local food and hostels/homestays/two-bit dives. Because of this, it's *very* easy to meet other travelers. Quite common to find travel partners and forge lasting friendships.
In the US, well, I'm sure the Barbelites will help. But basically, where you'd meet people in England. Bars, clubs, sidewalks - no matter what your gender or orientation, an English accent is a HUGE asset in getting laid in the US, if that's your fancy. (That is, assuming you're actually English. And not Canadian or Mexican or something.) It's eerie. |
