Days 6 and 7 - Happy Birthday Ma!

Sorry about yesterday! The motel we checked into in Monterey did have an internet connection, but the laptop refused to be a part of it. Fortunately we have the facility back today.

So we left Los Angeles on the most beautiful day. There was little evidence of the smog that had been hanging around since our arrival. It was very warm day with the most bluest (is that a word?) of skies which made it an absolutely awesome day to be travelling up the coast road on the way to San Francisco. The weather is apparently unseasonably warm with record temperatures being set. Not that I would understand this...because I am stuffed if I can figure out the whole Fahrenheit thing. Me trying to figure out temperatures, mileage (versus kilometres) and time differences; is like trying to get Schultz to complete an algebra equation. *holds up stupid sign*

We travelled the coast road through Bel Air and Malibu. They were just WOW! Especially Malibu. Wow. Just stunning. It was hard not to sing the theme song to “Two and a Half Men”...so I just went with the overwhelming urge...and sung it. The backdrop to the ocean and the homes was a very dry, rocky, baron hillside which was a total contrast to the beach houses that lined the absolutely gorgeous beach. The palms there were less scary (yes...less scary) than those that are prominent in Los Angeles. I guess I haven’t told you about the scary palms? And that’s palms which sway in the breeze...not the thing on the inside of your hand.

Los Angeles has palm trees absolutely everywhere. These palms are native to California and were planted in L.A in the 1920’s and 1930’s and are known simply as the “California Palm”. They are tall, spindly trees with a tuft of fronds right at the top. They also feature grey “beard” looking stuff which hangs down beneath the fronds. It would seem as though this is cut off the tree in some suburbs but is left on in others. I am guessing its simply because the trees get too tall. When these palms are planted together, they don’t look too bad I guess....but when they are scattered unevenly – one here, one there – they look like tall, angry men who are trying to hide their arms. There is nothing endearing about that and I am fairly sure they become alive at night and terrorise their neighbourhoods. *shudders* Scary stuff. I really need to curb my imagination.

Anyway...no more angry palms. As we passed through Malibu the Bear suddenly stopped in the middle of the highway and did a u-turn. He had spotted a large pod of dolphins (well actually I think they might have been porpoises) and they were not in a hurry to go anywhere. I took a million photos and the Bear did some video-taping. It was just lovely to watch them. 

Back on the road we found ourselves getting fuel (ok...gas) at a small town called “Winchester” which is just past Santa Barbara. It was the first time we had to fill up, so I felt this was a big moment in our lives. I videotaped it (yes....I am a fair dinkum nutter) before realising I had about seven and a half seconds to make it to a ladies room. The Bear pointed it out to me, so I ambled inside to find that there was only one communal toilet. The toilet was in a large room...and it had a sign on the inside of the door suggesting that you lock the door with the slide across bolt “in order to protect your privacy”. Geeeez, no shit Sherlock! So I take my place on the throne which seemed to be in the middle of this room. I felt like a naughty kid put on display. I had not even started to tinkle when the door knob started moving. Someone was trying to open the door! I dead set nearly fell in the toilet! I didn’t know whether to suck it up; hurry up; pull them up; or finish the job at hand and be ready with a witty salutation should the door be opened and my lily-white butt be shown for the world to see. Sheer fright allowed me to “pee quick” and unfortunately I was not given the chance to say “LAPD. Raise your hands and face the wall” to the obviously desperate Mexican who I found on the other side of the door.

May I just make this random comment before I forget again – Americans have cheese on absolutely EVERYTHING.....and they put coleslaw with nearly everything. I swear I will never eat either of those food stuffs ever again.

Okies...back on the road we decided it might be a bit of a stretch to reach Carmel before dark...so we took the trip easy with the intention of just pulling into a motel when we felt like it. We could have taken a far quicker route however we had been told that the coast road was amazing. Well amazing did not describe it. It is breath takingly beautiful with the scenery outside the right hand window changing every couple of minutes...and the Pacific Ocean (which was outside the left hand window)...was just stunning. The coast road goes in twists and turns as it climbs its way up the cliffs. This would normally have bothered me however I was snapping anything and everything with my camera. Still on the coast road (route 1) we passed Hearst’s Castle; stopped in the middle of nowhere to watch some sea lions; and made our way around the rocky cliffs with the intention of at least getting to “Big Sur” before dark. Big Sur is actually a part of the Santa Lucia Mountains which arise abruptly from the Pacific Ocean. Big Sur means “the big south” in Spanish....and is nothing short of spectacular.

In the late afternoon ass we continued to negotiate the roads around Big Sur, I asked the Bear if we could stop so that I could take a photo of the sun setting over the water. I had only had the opportunity to see this once before (in Perth) however I stupidly closed my eyes at the moment in question, so that I could see if I would “hear” the sun hitting the water. Yes...for an intelligent person I sometimes have precious little upstairs. We stopped for a couple of minutes...I took a thousand photos...and we were on our way again. Driving through the last parts of Big Sur we figured we would to get to Carmel after all given that we weren’t too short of our target, and because there didn’t appear to be many places to stay at Big Sur. This was one of the few nights that we hadn’t pre-booked accommodation. The day was long.....and we were just keen to find somewhere and get to bed.

In the dark we saw a little bit of signage for Carmel but it was few and far between. I am night blind so I can offer very little in the way of directions unless I make them up. After a while it became obvious that we had passed any turn that there was to Carmel and the next exit off the highway would be at Monterey. Not to worry....we figured we would stay in Monterey the night and check out Carmel tomorrow. So it was off to Monterey!

This morning we woke up to a brilliant sun rise...with a view to die for. There was mist hanging around over the beach (a little like what it does to the bridge in San Francisco), the sun was shining, the sky was blue, and the buildings were simply quaint. We checked out of our motel and took a drive to have some breakfast. We found an awesome cafe right on the pier which served fantastic food and provided fantastic service. I had a single pancake....which was larger than a hub cap (I kid you not...and I only ate about a third of it) and the Bear had a 3 egg omelette with spinach, cheese etc which looked mighty fine. As we sat there, we thought we could hear some sea lions.

After breakfast we went in search of whatever was making the noise and we came across several hundred sea lions sun baking on the large rocky pier. There was a metal fence that I was looking through and we could literally bend down and touch them. I was fascinated by their behaviour....which is not dissimilar to my son at home; they fought and growled, they stunk, and their teeth needed a good clean. On the bright side they obviously loved each other and lay all over one another. They growled and communicated just like Schultz and Ella! They were just beautiful! It made me seriously miss my dogs!

Anyway my lessons learned in the past 24 hours are as follows:

• Marriott Hotels do not have kettles in the rooms. They prefer to think that their coffee machines will cater nicely. I am curious to know why everyone here will drink pigs-swill because it sure tastes like something you would expect to use to strip wallpaper from the walls.

• Some Marriott’s here do not even have bar fridges in the rooms.

• Americans do not understand us. No amount of trying will get them to actually hear the sound. Most wont guess where we are from (dang it....I would have soooooooooo much fun with that!)

• Daylight savings (which ended in California yesterday) totally screws with tourists who are struggling to understand the times zones. This might only be another hour but it totally did my head in.

• Snickerdoodles go softer after the packet has been opened. No-one likes a soft Snickerdoodle.

Back on the road again today heading for San Francisco. We dropped into Carmel which we so cleverly missed last night – and found a very, pretty “village” with a beautiful beach, trees lining the streets and flowers hanging in baskets.....and a stack pretentious old people whose arrogance totally outweighed the beauty of this town. We were glad we had met the nicer people of Monterey and the beautiful African American people that were at Crenshaw a couple of days ago. So quicker than you could say "Go ahead. Make my day" we were outta there! I would have loved to hang around and assess how many people wearing heels did NOT have a permit (it is a legal requirement in Carmel) however it was more important to get back on the road.  

We decided we had enough delays and made a genuine effort to make a beeline for San Francisco. The trip was uneventful although I still managed to take photos of absolutely anything. We stumbled across San Jose which was like an oasis in the middle of a moonscape... If anyone asks “Do you know the way to San Jose” I will have to say no...because in this land of a million signs....there was very little to announce San Jose. No wonder the question is asked in a song!

Finally we reached San Francisco. What an absolutely glorious city! It is just stunning! I was snapping madly away....when the Bear told me to keep my eyes peeled for the Golden Gate Bridge. A bridge came into view and he exclaims...”there it is!”.....”ummmm...no its not!” He had pointed out the Bay Bridge. We continue. A bridge came into view. “Now! There it is!”....”ummmm or is it the same bridge?”. He thinks for a minute and asks “does that Bridge look new to you?” B Bear....as if I could tell a bridge from a taco at this point in time. Which person in this car was just coming into San Fran for the first time in their life? *mentally shoots hand up* We drive further towards our destination, and the Bear is desperately trying to figure out if the bridge we could see...was the Golden Gate. The Bear found out that the bridge we could see was the Bay Bridge....and we were yet to see the Golden Gate. From all accounts, it sounded like we had lost a bridge...and I got the giggles. We arrived at our destination (minus seeing the darned bridge) and walked in to check in...with a person who I believe could be rather flamboyant....not that there is anything wrong with that.

Tomorrow we go to Alcatraz and will be crossing the Golden Gate Bridge once we find it...so that I can meet one of the challenges my daughter gave me. It should be a great day!

Day 6 - Leaving Los Angeles

I will update this as soon as I have Internet access to the laptop. It is temporarily not available and I can't do my waffle on the phone :-S

Day 5 - The Walmart Experience

So today we went to Walmart. I felt that this was a “must have” experience when travelling to the United States. I have seen so many emails that contain not so flattering photos of the people that shop there....so I just had to see this for myself. Ok...well....for that reason...and the fact that I have not been able to find any fat-racks in L.A and given the photos of the....shall we say.....shape challenged people that visit Walmart....I figured that perhaps they may sell clothes for those that make the weighing scales scream. I had completely forgotten that those images also show people wearing their pyjamas; their bathing suit; and even just their underwear. This in itself should have told me that Walmart do not sell clothes. However...I'm apparently too thick to recognise this....and still wanted to visit there. 

As we wanted to head back to Beverly Hills in order to allow me to stalk Gene Simmons (of KISS fame) we decided to go to a Walmart that was on the way....which was in the suburb of “Crenshaw”. On the way I had our video camera taping as I have done every day. I figure that not only is this a way to show my children what America looks like...it is also a fantastic memento for us. I tend to hold the video camera one way...and look around at everything else. I am fascinated by the signage over here – there is so much of it, and it is so different to what we have at home. We stopped at a red light and I turned to look out of my own window (on the right hand side) as I heard a loud voice coming from the next car. I was met with a stare from the driver who was an aging negro, and his passenger. I looked down at the video camera that I was holding, and then looked around to see where we were. We were in a very poor neighbourhood (although different from Venice) where there were bars on everything including the bakery and bridal shop; there was graffiti on the shopfronts and walls; and the side walks were overflowing with African-Americans (not that there is anything wrong with them). I looked back down to the video camera and asked the Bear whether he thought that I should put it away. He thought that I meant to put it away because the locals wouldn’t appreciate me filming them. I told him no...that I was worried that they would want to steal it! I should have slapped myself right there and then! 

As we drove into the car park I was desperately searching for another white person but alas there was none. I looked at every other vehicle expecting it to be harbouring a potential assassin and looked at every person as the potential gunman. However for the first time in my life I recognised how uncomfortable it must be for an indigenous Australian when they are placed in a completely white society and are looked at as though they are not welcome. I recognised that despite the fact that I never considered myself to be racist, I was very clearly being that right now. I was embarrassed to conduct this honest self assessment. Still....when we were walking towards the front doors of the shopping plaza I walked more hesitantly than if I were heading to the gallows.

Inside there were black people everywhere.... I mean everywhere. I was sure that we had walked onto the set of the “The Cosby Show”. Every person you have ever seen on one of those shows where the people are predominantly African-American, are real. Yes people....they are real. I would not have been at all surprised if Fat Albert came bounding along. I fully expected to see every colourful character from “Coming to America” including the sleazy priest. I am sure I saw my first real “pimp” having breakfast at McDonalds and I am fairly sure I had a neon light flashing above my head that said “Yo mofug! Shit scared white beeeatch!”. I was very grateful that my Bear was being very supportive and reassuring because I was getting ready to leg it outta there!

Before long though I became side tracked with all of the different things that were there. In particular, there was a n odd vending machine. A baby vending machine. I found this to be a very strange concept and chuckled to myself when I pictured this as being a painless way to have a baby. Throw in a few dollars and the machine could spit out a pre-selected baby. I seriously needed to see what was in a “Baby Vending Machine”. It turns out, that everything in it, is for a baby. Just the same as you can pay and receive a can of coke, or a packet of chips....in this machine you could get a diaper, or a teething rusk; or something similar. I thought this was FANTASTIC!! With that we headed into Walmart (it is within a shopping centre) and started on the Walmart Experience. Well....well.....well....

This is the most AMAZING store! It has anything and everything (with the exception of clothing) from pharmaceutical items, to groceries, to department store merchandise etc. It has the most amazing prices I have ever seen! There is no possible way I can make a comparison to any store in Australia because there simply isn’t one. This chain provides good quality products for exceptional prices. This Walmart was on two storeys – which I thought might present a problem. If you fill up a trolley upstairs...how do you get it downstairs? Or...vice versa? Never to mind! They have escalators....which travel along side a trolley carrier. When you want to go upstairs or downstairs...you pushed your trolley onto the carrier...then jump on the escalator and meet each other at the opposite end. It was great!!

Never one to turn my back on a bargain, I could have cried when I saw what I could purchase however was bound to stay within the limitations on what we could carry home. I made a mental promise to check online to see if I could order there, and have items shipped. What I found more amazing....was the fact that once I mingled with the locals....I completely forgot about being the only white chick within this shopping plaza.....and forgot I had expected to be mugged. I wanted to slap myself silly for being allowing myself for having such thoughts in the first place.

 

The African-American people turned out to be much friendlier than a large percentage of the white people I come into contact with. And just for the record....those photos that you see of Walmart patrons...the ones that show people who really don’t care what they look like when they visit the store....well they do actually exist. They are there in their overwhelmingly tight clothes with their thublubberters spilling out and their back boobs poking out of the arms holes; or wearing their ridiculous makeup...or even dressed in just their pyjamas. They might be a few kangaroos short in the top paddock....but as it turns out.....they just want a bargain too!

Day 4 - Universal Studios

I just wanted to mention something that occurred yesterday before I forget again!

We decided to go to Venice Beach as that is something that I really wanted to see. We were going to go earlier in the week however got side tracked with other things. I am stuffed if I know why I been thinking the place was a paradise....I am guessing it is from one of the many movies that I have seen it featured in. Good lord...how wrong I was.

Venice Beach is seedy at best. It is obviously one of the poorer suburbs of LA and I am sure would have a crime rate higher than most. Whilst we were walking along the footpath the lines the beach (which I couldn’t see mind you) I actually witnessed a white man and dark man make an “exchange” – a clear plastic bag containing marijuana. It was apparent that marijuana was prevalent as the place reeked of it...and I saw one man quite openly smoke it.

Along the footpath there were countless T Shirt shops – all containing the same products – and a variety of locals some of which were clearly homeless or not “quite there”.

 

“Muscle Beach” was empty however I had no trouble in picturing multiple male body builders using the equipment and have no doubt that the only thing bigger than their muscles would be their egos. Several indigenous men were trying to offload DVDs to passers-by, although I have no idea what the DVDs would have contained. Clearly they wanted to exchange them for money however. I was not comfortable in the area despite it being daylight and me being with the Bear and was very keen to get back to our car. As we were walking back, a rather tall Negro approached the Bear and me to try to push another DVD at us, and it was at that point that my fear overtook me. We couldn’t get past him without either pushing him out of the road...or resorting to another measure. I figured the second option was probably the best one given that I hoped to come out of this scenario with a pulse. So....I looked up at him and looked him directly in the eye....I summons all of my courage knowing I was doing this for my safety and that of the Bears.....and said.... “Ick shpreeekkiiinnnnn zee doitch?” The dude said “Ahh from Germany” to which I nodded. Then with a wave of his hand he backed off....and we made a beeline for our car.

So it was off to Universal Studios today. We had to go on 3 or 4 different freeways to get there, although it wasn’t as traumatic as when we went to Warner Brothers. Either I am getting used to it...or....someone has listened to my prayers and has euthanized a part of my brain.

Driving up through the gates of Universal felt familiar as Movie World has a slightly similar entrance. That is around about where the familiarities stop. We went to purchase our tickets where the dude behind the counter did the up-sell of the century (normal ticket to ‘front of line” tickets) and went and lined up awaiting the park to be opened. First lesson learned: most of the Americans are considerate people however the Chinese are just blatantly rude. They simply pushed in and didn’t mind how/where or why they did it. Second lesson: You will always recognise an Aussie in a crowd as they will be the ones wearing thongs. Third lesson: You can always guarantee that ANY line no matter where you are in the world, will have at least one “bush pig”.

The gates open and I needed to make a beeline for the loos. As I am doing so, bush pig comes screaming out of the rest rooms stating that there is no toilet paper or tissue. I found that hard to believe given that the park had only just opened. The Bear stated that he would go in and get some from the mens toilet...however I said that I didn’t need that as I would go in and check the toilet paper status myself and would come out and get some should I need to. However my chivalrous Bear went in anyway and came out with toilet tissue stuffed in his pocket. As I was not keen to make a loo paper exchange in public I said again that I would check it out. As it turned out, the ladies bathroom had at least 2 rolls per cubicle. I have absolutely no idea what the bush pig was yelling about.

We walked further into the park only to be stopped with the masses (including the nips and the bush pig) and were told by an employee that the part wasn’t open yet (could have fooled me given that....we were there!) and that we had to wait until we “heard the director yell action!” 15 minutes later after being stood on, pocked at, pushed about etc by the nips....and yes...bush pig again....we heard the “action” so were finally inside the park.

 The studio tour was really, really good however the tour guide looked like a cross between Jim Neighbours and a squashed pie. It was hard not to look at him instead of the attractions. Anyway we went past things like where “Back To The Future” and “Jaws” were set, as well as the street that is shown in “Desperate Housewives” complete with every house. Unfortunately we were not given the opportunity to take many photos however I at least got a few good ones to bring home. It was awesome to think that we were in place that had been graced by the absolute greats of Hollywood.  We experienced “rides” such as that when an earthquake was simulated in an underground subway...and a 3D effect with dinosaurs in a jungle as well as being rolled down a mountainside by King Kong.

We saw the Blues Brothers Show, The Water World Show and the Animal Actors Show all of which were good. I would definitely go back to Universal Studios again.

After we left the park, we walked up a nearly “strip mall” and saw the biggest/tallest candy store that I have ever seen and other amazing shops and things to do. We spotted a “Bubba Gump” (from the Forrest Gump movie fame) and decided we would have dinner there. Dead set they have the most fantastic set up and even more wonderful staff. The food was great and affordable, the atmosphere superb and if I had a spare million dollars I would start a chain in Australia. It was great!

Coming home on the relevant freeways was a nightmare. We didn’t think that we would experience the traffic from hell however common sense should have prevailed. Friday Night + L.A = nightmare traffic. It took us more than an hour to drive back to the hotel.

It was such a long day, and I am so terribly tired, my diary note today will be quite pathetic. Sorry people....I will put my humorous thinking cap back on tomorrow. 

Day 3 - We found the Monte Cristo Sandwich!.

Well.....just in case I forgot how annoying the advertisements were in the lead up to the State Elections...I have had a reminder compliments of the United States elections.  I had originally thought it was ok....as it didn't seem as though one party was slinging off at the other party (unlike our own politicians which, despite being the lowest of low, manage to scoop a little more out of the pool when in comes to slandering their opponent) but now that I have heard the ads over, and over, and over, and over (you get the picture?) I am not so sure.  I haven't quite worked out how these elections work, but from what I have learned a party must submit a "proposal".  These proposals are given a number...and coming election day....you will vote for the proposal that works for you.  The adverts and signage in the streets keep referring to "props" and the relative number.  As I type this, another add comes on in support of "Prop 32".    The next ad to come on is requesting that voters vote "no to Prop 37".  The elections will be over in a couple of days and it can't come quick enough!

 Okies....a road rule in the USA that scores high on my weird-o-meter.  If you are wanting to make a right hand turn....and if the light is red....and if there is no traffic coming along, you can make the right hand turn through the red light.  At home, this would be the equivalent of making a left hand turn.  Whilst the Bear has readily accepted (and used) this road rule....every single fibre of my being screams "nooooooooooooooooo".  I thought this road rule was worth mentioning.    The drivers here create their own road rules it would seem anyway....so am fairly sure they would proceed through the red light irrespective even if there was the rule where you stopped on a red light and had to stay put!  They drive like freakin' nutcases.  Either that, or they are genuinely trying to break a world record.  Suggestions of these could be as follows:

*  fastest land speed record

*  fastest LA freeway speed record

*  fastest shave or make up application whilst keeping steering with your knees

*  largest amount of lane changes without using an indicator

*  largest amount of lane changes with eyes closed

*  most amount of speed changes within 100 metres

*  most amount of speed (in their blood)

*  fastest to go across 8 lanes of traffic in a single bound

*  fastest to go across 8 lanes of traffic single and bound

*  fastest to bound across 8 lanes of traffic whilst single

There are an absolute stack that I could think of.   Another thing that happens here is....unlike our amber colour taillight assemblies.... most cars over here just have their rear indicator as a flashing of the red brake light.  This is even on semi trailers!  I find it terribly bizarre!

Went back to Hollywood today and walked along where the stars are.   I was astounded to find there wasn't one there for me.  I feel that I am a more deserving recipient than Winnie the Pooh!  However....I mingled with ease among the many stars that were milling around the place.....Darth Vader....Mickey Mouse...some dude with fake muscles wearing a blue leotard and tights. It was clear that they accepted me as one of them...and adored me more than life itself.  They followed me and the Bear down the street trying to shove pieces of paper at me.  The Bear said it was advertising...however we both knew that they were love notes.

 We had lunch at "Hooters" which does not have bare breasted women serving like I had thought.  They are fully clothed women (albeit skimpy) that have precious little in the way of personality or brains...not that I am judgemental  *rolls eyes*  They were true ambassadors for the clothing retail stores here in Los Angeles....those that feel that skinny girls are the only ones that deserve clothes.  Dead set....there are NO fat racks here in LA!  The Bear and I pounded the pavement looking for clothes for the shape-challenged (I need a warm jacket to take to New York) however to no avail.  *sigh* 

 Tomorrow we are heading to Universal Studios which will be just awesome!  On Saturday we are thinking of going and stalking *cough* a few celebrities and/or their homes.  Several tour companies want to charge an arm and a leg for a tour....where as we bought a map of celebrity homes and crime scenes (yeah I am a freak) so that we can figure it out ourselves!   Watch out Gene!

PS:  We have found the illusive Monte Cristo Sandwich.  It sells at Jerry's Restaurant and delicatessen at Marina Del Ray....for $16.95.  Woot! Now I just need to find someone who sells grits!

Day 2 in the USA - All Hallows Eve!

Happy Halloween! Gee the Americans take this seriously. Front yards and department stores are totally decorated. People are in the streets tonight trick or treating. Adults are dressed up...and candy is being handed out everywhere you look. Not to be outdone, I thought I should join in. Given that my hair is not responding well to the difference in the water over here, it is just sitting on my head like a helmet. Add to that a pair of bike pants and you will find me far more frightening than any ghost or witch!

My day started talking to Nicco on the phone. He was ready for bed and I was just getting up! This time difference feels strange. This morning I realised that not only was I in a different day to my home but also a different month! After speaking to Nic we went in search of some breakfast. I didn’t know what I wanted as I had just seen a TV ad for a “Bacon and Egg Biscuit”. I wondered what that could possibly be however found it to have been bacon and egg on a scone. It looked gross and put me off any sort of muffin or bread item for breaky. We went for a drive and ended up going through the “Del Taco” drive through...where the Bear ordered a breakfast bacon and egg burrito. I am surprised he got that though, because the drive through chick could not understand a single word he said! I ended up having just an orange juice.  Mexican for breakfast just doesn't seem right - although the yanks obviously love it.  They have a Mexican restaurant on nearly every corner. 

 Having visited Hollywood and Beverley Hills yesterday we thought we might do the VIP tour at Warner Brothers. Just as a note here :  I absolutely LOVED Beverly Hills and was amazed by Rodeo Drive. We headed off....our destination being in the suburb of Burbank..and drove there going around the Hollywood Hills. Jesus H Christ. Never, ever again. The freeway/motorway thingy was about 600 lanes across with 20 000 000 absolute kamikaze drivers with absolutely no road sense at all. We were nearly side swiped several times by some numbskull who was shaving (YES...SHAVING!) whilst driving. I tried to take a photo of the said driver, however as I was hanging on to everything for dear life in the hope of saving my own....I didn’t get the camera out in time. We drove down through the San Fernando Valley (towards Sherman Oaks) and whilst the view was mind blowing.....the experience was something that I hope NEVER to repeat. I am still trying to figure out how we managed to get to Warner Brothers alive...although my husband will no doubt say it was because of his skilful driving. I most certainly won’t argue with that as he is doing an amazing job. I swear he has cement balls, because you couldn’t drive in these conditions without having them swinging between your legs!

The Warner Brothers experience was amazing. We were driven around in an over-sized golf cart (which was flat out fitting my butt in the seat...let alone another 12 people) by a interesting guide named Jacob. I was amazed to see the grounds being surrounded by gum trees! We toured the back lots in the streets where shooting is filmed and saw facades from many well known movies and television shows. These included “Harry’s Law”, “Friends”, “Two Broke Girls”, “The Mentalist” and “Mike and Molly”. The Bear actually got tickets to tonight’s taping of “Mike and Molly” however it was too hard to get to it on time after we drove back to where we are staying at Marina Del Ray. We may get to go to something else whilst we are in this country. We went and saw the set for “Two and a Half Men” and were amazed at how small it is! We would have loved to have taken photos however this was strictly forbidden. I was able to take some other photos outside however. The Bear and I also had our photo taken whilst sitting on the former set of “Friends”. It actually didn’t get taped at Warner Brothers however they had rights to the set/props so have got it there for purely tourist interest. This tour really had the WOW factor and I was overwhelmed at seeing so much stuff that we would normally only see on TV.

On our tour there were some people from Japan – one of which was a relatively young man with a package in his pants to challenge Dirk Diggler. It hung half way down to his knees! I really didn’t think it was a good look given that he was wearing silvery-grey trousers which left no imagination what so ever. The Bear thought it was a pair of socks....and stated that it was not natural. I disputed the sock theory given it’s “shape”. I am fairly sure that if the Jap was aroused, he would in fact pass out.   And no...I didn't deliberately look (although once I saw it I tried to get a photo of it!)...it was just "there".  You know....it just "was".

In the grounds of Warner Brothers....I got to see my first squirrel! I tried to take a photo however it didn’t turn out very well. The tour guide was very surprised that I took such an interest but I believe it is because the Americans don’t like them. They are not much more than vermin apparently. I still think they are cute!

I had another first today! I went to Taco Bell which was an interesting experience at best. I found the food to be quite bland however quite good. There was a group of young “men” (who obviously came from an alternate background) and a dressed up Jaberwockie who scared me a little. No...they scared me quite a lot....they were very noisy. However unlike the young men we have at home, these boys did not swear loudly and greeted each other with a genuine sincerity. As the Bear said, these guys had a story...but were good kids.

The last thing to report today...is that I have fallen in love with the supermarkets here. They have everything and anything...including stuff I have not seen for years. They sell TAB! For those that do not know what this is....it was a diet cola drink....and it was an ad for this that Elle McPherson had done that got her into the big league. They sell wonderful meat and veges which look fresh and are reasonably priced. Woolies and Coles would do well to follow their example! The more interesting items that the stores have here are things like boxed cooked bacon (not refrigerated); peanut butter cups (candy); 3 kilo bags of M & Ms; everything that you can buy in a Chemist (which is odd because the Chemists here open 24/7); and beer, wine and spirits. I fully intend on taking a trip to the supermarket just so that I can look at each and every item. I want to buy an absolute stack of stuff...but just need to see what I am allowed to take back into Australia!

PS:  I have get to come across somewhere that sells grits!

D-Day. Woot!

Woot! Today...just for something different....we will fly to Los Angeles. I still can't wrap my mind around that. Surely I must be dreaming? I am positive we will get to the airport, and then drive home again. I can't even picture myself boarding a 747!

The Bear and I have stayed overnight at a hotel near the airport. We stayed at this motel when he had a number of flights, including an international one, a few years ago. It just wasn't worth him driving back to Toowoomba between the flights so we decided to have a night in Brisbane to make it easier for him. On that occasion, the motel was excellent! Clearly the management has changed. When the Bear checked us in, he was greeted (for want of a better word) by an arrogant, aging Asian woman who apparently felt that he was interrupting her TV viewing. The foyer looked worn, the lift had serious issues, the carpets stained and tired, and the room absolutely reeked of bleach. In fact, the bleach was so strong my eyes burned. I started itching uncontrollably and add to that I wore an armful of chocolate ice-cream as a result of an altercation with the ice-cream machine at Sizzler (which Alyx thought was the funniest thing she had ever seen/heard) and I was a mess. It was just ghastly! That being said, the bed was nice and firm so I did get a few hours sleep. I am waaaaay tired this morning however. I guess that is a good thing as I will need to try and sleep on the plane. If I don’t I will crash and burn when we get to L.A.

I would just like to take this opportunity by the way to say that I absolutely HATE typing on a laptop!  This one is possessed!  And no, it does not have anything to do with the typist.  I apologise in advance for the multiple typos, incorrect punctuation and horrendous dummy spits that I have over the coming weeks!

Speaking of L.A. the temperature there today apparently will be 27 degrees with an overnight temperature of 14 degrees. Nice! The Bear suggested I pack my togs (keep an eye out for a news headline "Mystery surrounds beached whale in inner city Los Angeles" ) so I did!

 

 I am still confused by the time differences. I am told that L.A is + 7 hours and minus a day, to our time here. We were thinking it was +6 - 1 day however this has been corrected. I am not sure how I will go with trying to turn my medication time table upside down - I have certain ones I have to take in the morning and certain ones that I have to take at night time. It won’t be a simple case of reversing these, especially seeing as we will not only experience the change in time zones when we get to LA...but we will travel through several time zones as we make our way across the country. I guess if I come home with a full beard and a third nipple (yes Ma...a nipple) I will know that I have stuffed things up a tad!