Venice Beach Virgin

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On the news bears were reported in Suburban Pasadena which is not far from here! They are apparently attracted by the hotter than average making the trash smell more that normal. Triple digits everywhere (Farenheit).

We caught the subway train to Universal Studios. Everyone is so friendly and helpful with directions etc. After getting off the train, there free shuttles taking us up the hill to Universal Studios. I’m glad we got there early and got the advice from an employee to go to the lower block first. It was a bit of an ordeal as there were several large escalators but the view over rthe Hollywood hills were awesome. As we were there early, we managed to get on the 3D transformers ride twice without waiting. I hated the movie but can honestly say the ride was better than awesome. It was full of fantastic effects making you feel tossed around by a transformer and the sensation of falling off buildings. The Mummy ride was a bit disappointing. We managed to get on all the rides with no problem at all. By about mid day the crowds were astounding and there were hour waits for all the rides. After lunch, we decided to get our stuff out the locker, so Brendan made the trek to go down all the escalators, and of course no one was walking on them so he had to wait in the crowds only to find he didn’t have enough cash as we weren’t expecting the bill to be over $20 in locker rental, and the machine wouldn’t accept any of our cards. So he had to make the long trek back again to get cash off me and then haul he arse back down and up again. I relented and got us all a frozen drink at $6ea. We waited fro Brendan for over half an hour.



We saw that Slash from Guns ‘n Roses, accompanied by Charlie Sheen, was putting his hands in the concrete outside the Chinese Theatre on the news went we got back to the motel. Brendan saw him but thought he was one of the many people who dress up as movie characters (such as Jonny Depp as a pirate) and get tips if they pose for a photo with you. Apparently Michael Jackson returned from the dead and wanted a photo with me but Brendan said I was so busy taking a photo that I totally ignored his wish. A celeb photo opportunity missed. We went as high as we could in the new Hollywood Highland shopping complex and managed to see the Hollywood letters on the hill again. It was getting really late and we still hadn’t eaten. I didn’t want to go to McDonalds as we can have that at home. But considering the kids were over tired, the expensive places surrounding us and Maccas was just there we decided that was the best option. But not the quickest as we found out. Brendan waited for ages Bobby so tired that he fell asleep in Mac Donalds. I wanted to go to both Venice Beach last night as well as drive along Mullholland Drive to see all the film star mansions, but we were just so tired and it was getting later and later. I guess I will eternally be a Venice Beach Virgin.

We got the train back which was only a stop away. The WiFi wouldn’t work again at the hotel. Maybe too late. The weather reports keep raving how hot it was today at 35 degrees celcius. It was a warm day but it certainly wasn’t making us sweat or making us uncomfortable like it would at home. None of us got burnt after walking around in the sun all day, so it will be interesting to see what the 40 plus weather will be like that they are reporting in the desert where we’re headed tomorrow. In bed at 11.30pm. Slept with the ear plugs to keep the noise of the constant choppers and sirens out.

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