Arrived in L.A on wednesday afternoon, feeling tired after a long but ok flight. Staying at the Venice Beach Cotel, first impression was how hot it got as we went higher up the stairs; we were staying on the 3rd floor. Room itself ok, bathrooms shared but clean enough. L.A., particularly Venice Beach, is full of extremes. Filthy rich and destitute, calm spaced out hippies and impatient frantic need it now yanks. We went to a recording of 'Deal or no deal' and it was surreal! It was hard to believe it was a real person playing a real game. The max prize money was 2 Million Dollars (We had to whoop and holla everytime that was mentioned) but he only won $3000 (bumma). I guess his daughter will have to have a little wedding. It
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