Well the great North American adventure has started. We had our "Amazing Race" moment in the airport in Sydney with thetravel agent not informing us of the online visa we needed to complete in order to depart the country which found us running through the airport, bags flying behind so that we were not the last team to check in. Thankfully, it was a non-elimination round. We celebraed with a VB (dodgey man!) on Virgin Australia which impressived us with their service, mood lighting, entertainment and help yourself snack bar. Before we knew it we were touching down in LAX and [View Full Entry]

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Monday 19th and Tuesday 20th Oct Having flown across the US it really gives you an idea on how big a country it is, seeing lakes, vast plains and the Rocky Mountains. After some much needed rest Tuesday 20th was spent exploring Hollywood where our hotel was based and then touring bits of LA such as Bel Air, Beverly Hills and the famous Hollywood sign. The tour showed great views across LA from the side of the hill and there were various houses of famous actors and actresses, as well as the expensive shopping area of Rodeo Drive where soft top [View Full Entry]

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Xela is an interesting place. There are many beautiful buildings surrounded by such poverty. Xela definately has a city feel but is surrounded by lush beautiful dormant volcanoes. The sidewalks are extremely narrow and it´s very difficult for 2 people to pass each other, you are definately forced to acknowledge each others presence. It is very common to see traditionally dressed Mayan women walking next to people in western dress. One thing I didn´t expect was the size of the typical person here. I am at least a head taller than most people here. Today my maistra referred to me as [View Full Entry]

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Unfortunately, I don´t have any original pics to share this week. I just don´t trust myself walking around with a camera yet. So far I have locked my keys in my room, misplaced my sweatshirt (found now), & lost my map (replaced). Also, I have not seen 1 person with a camera around here taking pics. I think I will ask my teacher about this and suggest she come with me so I can take some local pics....there are so many beautiful things I want to share. These first few days have been all about adjusting to my new environment. While [View Full Entry]

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Well after realising that i could not do the online check in i was dreading the seats that we were going to get. Today we decided to chill out and go for a walk down to the grove which i mentioned before and found a sneaky little market; Farmers Market, in there seliing all sorts of things and foods. Well put it this was there was a sticker shop. a shop full of different stickers. COOL!...but no i didnt buy any. We then walked down to Farm Foods which is a kind of supermarket but has a kind of help yourself [View Full Entry]

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Firstly i wana clear up the bag stuff...it didnt exactly get lost...well did but didnt, it missed the flight so got on the next one and arrived by the time i woke up on the 1st morning i was there...so were all good on that front. Dont panic people. CLOUDY.....Woke up early this morning, im talking 7! ahhhhhhh all because of the early night again and accidently falling asleep early. So, once again making the most of the tea and toast....as usual, then finding out that our new buddy charlotte was going to santa monica today she offered us a lift [View Full Entry]

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Well...woke up about 10 this morning and straight downstairs for free tea and toast. Cant go wrong with tea and toast. Decided to go for a walk today, checked out some place called The Grove, basically its like a shopping place where cars cant get down, kinda like a little high street. everything was so clean and like...perfect, little stalls here and there on wheels kinda... very nice. I seriously needed some new trainers as mine were smelly and dated! brought some new ones today in a shop called ROSS, basically like t-k max. Got some seriously funky trainers and charmaine [View Full Entry]

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Well... Woke up at 5am as i went to bed at like 8.30 because of the jet lag...wide awake now and decide to get up and go on the internet, 1 little problem, no travel adaptor and the laptop is running on nothing...oh dear, better get one soon. Managed to get back to sleep until 8. phew... Went down for free breakfast and tea or coffee... brilliant, 4 bits of toast for me please as im starving! and they have sweetners over here...very very sweet, believe it or not! Met this girl who was travelling alone and got chucked in a [View Full Entry]

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Well we landed ok and managed to get through the flight. On arrival, you'll never guess what happened...only went and lost my bag...well not me, the airline. So all in all not off to a very good start were we! Arrived at the Banana Bungalow in West Hollywood. Very impressed with the friendliest welcome i think iv ever had. Showed us around and what is where, how much it costs, told us about the trips they do. Checked into our room with a little balcony looking over the outside bar area downstairs....pretty cool. The first night they had a promotional dinner [View Full Entry]

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As a self-confessed movie nut and sometime celebrity stalker I was super excited to be in LA. We did the obligatory tour of the stars’ homes which was so much fun. Talk about how the other half live. We saw houses bigger than some cul de sacs back home. They were all completely different in style ranging from completely over the top to classically elegant. Simon Cowell’s home was a favourite of mine but to be honest I could live in any of them. Imagine having Rodeo Drive as your local high street? I’m sure I could get used to it. [View Full Entry]

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