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Published: February 22nd 2012
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Today was the last day of my trip. I was running low on money so I decided to do a tour of celebrity homes, since it was cheap and lasted a while. Our guide was really good. He actually works as a red carpet interviewer, and as a correspondant with Southern Cross Networks in Australia. Instead of doing the regular tour, he has contacts that slip him extra information about where celebrities live, so we did his special tour. It was so cool, for 1.5hrs we drove around the Hollywood Hills, stopping every minute or so to see someone elses house. It was definitely a good way to kill time, but I'm sure it would have been so much better if I was actually into movies and TV more than I am.
The ticket for that tour also included entry into Madamme Tussauds Wax Museum. It was pretty cool. Some of the figures were really life like, others (like Jennifer Aniston's) didnt really look so real. It was also much smaller than the one that came to Melbourne in the 90's so it was a bit disappointing, but I did get my photo taken with Will Smith and Tom Hanks
(as Forrest Gump).
Now I'm just waiting for my airport transfer to come and collect me, so I'll go over some of the best parts of my trip, etc etc.
TOP 5 EXPERIENCES:
#5. New Orleans Nightlife. Looking back now, it was just amazing. Blocks and blocks of bars with live music, partying hard with an amazingly fun bunch of people, and bringing drinks from club to club. What else does one want? Oh yeah, it was warm too!
#4. Yosemite Park. Really nice place. Well worth the effort getting there. It is just really serene there. Everywhere you look you're looking at something amazing, be it a rock formation, lake, meadow or waterfall. I could have easily spent a couple more days there doing some longer hikes or some camping.
#3. Sitting at Central Perk. Yes, it sounds lame and cliche, but it really was cool. As some pople know I'm a huge Friends fan, so being in the place where a lot of the show was set was surreal. It's probably the first time I've ever been overawed with something that has come from TV. That type of thing (celebrities etc.) doesnt really
faze me, but this was totally different.
#2. Blues City Cafe, Memphis. What an amazing night this was. To think we weren't even going to go out due to a tornado warning. We ended up chilling out at Blues City Cafe, listening to Freeworld play. Since we were pretty much the only ones there, they invited Pete up to play guitar and drums with them. Just to be involved in a night like that was so cool, and to cap the night off, we met a blues hall of fame member, Dr. Herman Green, who was playing with the band that night.
#1. Contiki. Yep, the whole 26 days of it rank as the top experience. I met so many wonderful people, made new friends and travelled around the country with them. Sharing these experiences with these people is easily the best part of my trip and I have no doubt it wouldnt have been as fun without them. Cheers guys.
THINGS I'LL MISS:
Being called "Sir" all the time. I dont deserve to be called sir, but I could get used to it.
Fountain Drinks. They are so good, and they are
everywhere. I have always liked fountain over bottled drinks, and to be able to get it here so easily is great.
Pizza. The pizza here (mainly NYC and Chicago) is so much better than at home. I dont think I'll find pizza that good back home.
People being friendly. I dont care what te stereotypes say, people from America are the friendliest people around. They cant do enough to help you.
THINGS I WON'T MISS:
Tax. you think you have the right money out to buy something, then they add money at the till. It is so frustrating!
Living out of a suitcase. Anyone who has done it knows that it sucks.
People thinking I'm British. Not that I have anything against the British, but I'm clearly not British.
That pretty much wraps up my trip. Ive got a long flight ahead of me so hopefully all goes well. I'll check back in when my next trip comes around. Thanks to all that took enough intrest in my trip to read this, and anyone with any questions just message me on the site and I'll be happy to answer
any questions.
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MARIO PALAZZOLO
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TRAVEL SAFE
SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAD A BALL, I'VE ENJOYED READING AND FOLLOWING YOUR TRIP, LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU BACK HOME, HAVE A SAFE TRIP BACK,