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Published: September 13th 2006
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I woke up at midnight and thought it would be a good idea to get up and get on the phone. There were a few others who had the same idea to call (Australia) home. I spoke to my older brother and we came to the finer details of discussing Western Union’s money transfer service. We came to an agreement that he would do a trial batch of $100, and then he would evaluate after that.
At least some things are happening for the better on my trip. I got 18 hours sleep (2pm - midnight, 1am-9am) after the early start yesterday. I’d kick off today with a trip to the beach, the world famous Santa Monica. I know that across the ocean is home. Baz, Kaz and I happily pose for photos along the famous boardwalk, although for the other two it’s just a matter of finding somewhere on the pier that isn’t covered in birdshit.
Our next stop is the Walk of Fame - not just Hollywood’s walk of fame but my
Lonely Planet assured me of a ‘Porno Walk of Fame’ somewhere along Santa Monica Blvd. I didn’t find such place, only an adult movie
an empty Santa Monica beach
David Hasselhoff oughta get people back out here! theatre with their main film Drill Bill screening. Not today, thanks! At least I can get back on any bus I like after purchasing a $3 all day pass that made things very easy. I’m still getting used to the currency system, which makes all the money seem like monopoly money!
It was a warmish day so all energy had to be spent wisely. Imagine my dismay when I realised I walked up Sunset Blvd for two miles, when actually I should have been walking up Hollywood Blvd! I only realised this on Sunset and Vine, when I saw some stars and decided to follow like Hansel and Gretel. Once I got to where I should have been miles and miles ago, I saw Johnny Cash, Bob Marley, Alabama (
Love in the First Degree), Arnie, Frank Sinatra and just for Stephanie, Tom Selleck! I knew if she was here, she’d be all over his star! I tried to get a pic of Kaz next to Quigley but the street was so busy with tourists, panhandlers, street performers and every wannabe rapper trying to sell their CD.
The Kodak Theatre is where the Oscars are given out (you can
get your own Oscar at every goddamn souvenir shop) & behind the theatre is a balcony with a view to see the famed Hollywood sign. At least the sign isn’t so hard to see today. On a day when I walk up the wrong street, the sun is out to suck whatever energy I have left. I give up after doing half the walk of fame; I’ll come back and do the other half tomorrow.
That afternoon, I try out the Western Union money transfer system. It’s quick and easy. I tell my brother it’s a success and ask him when he can send more money, but he’s at work or something and he won’t answer his phone. I’m rather pleased at the efficiency of Western Union, so I decide to do my laundry and get out that sewing kit that I have wanted to use for so long.
I sat down outside the laundry room and a girl comes up and sits opposite me.
“What ya’ll doing?” - She’s got the trademark Southern accent.
“Just some running repairs. My bag is torn.”
“Why don’t ya’ll buy a new one?”
“This connects to my bigger bag. Besides, its
cheaper to stitch it back up.”
“Why don’t ya’ll give it to your mom or your girl to sew?”
“I’m kinda 10,000 miles from home. Besides, it’s easier to sew…”
I still haven’t threaded the eye of the needle.
“I can thread the eye, if ya’ll want?” She does it with ease. “I have good eyesight. But I don’t sew.” I was puzzled as to why she didn’t if she could put it through so easily, and even told me I needed a thicker spool. “I don’t sew as I give it to my boyfriend. He sews.” Her boyfriend was a marine biologist working with the army. She had watched a few videos about Australian biology and wondered if our land was full of dirt and dust. I was on hand to reassure her that we too had coral and sea life, as well as big cities. Such a sweetheart, she was from South Carolina. I lied to her and said that I was going there. She smiled, shrugged her shoulders and walked off, probably still in disbelief that I wanted to sew up my day pack. After all, I was only really doing a rough patch up job.
In the end, my clothes were clean, my bag was stitched up and I had a successful pick up from Western Union. Today was a good day.
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Shannyn...
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OMG
Oh no, i think you should've given your bag to Miss Sth Carolina's boyfriend... that's such a terrible repair job! HAHA!! Looking at your photos is bringing back all those memories from almost a year ago when i was in LA... i have the same kind of star pics... although a lot of my pics have my feet in them cos there were so many people i had to practically stand on top of the star so i could get a photo... hehehe :)