And now, the end is near...

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I'm sitting here in my room in LA, after finishing packing my bags for the last time.

It's hard to believe that in just a few hours I'll be on my way home. There are days when it feels like I've hardly been away any time at all, but I know that after 5 1/2 months on the road, it's time to come home. Before I start getting all reflective, here's a quick rundown on the few days I've had here in LA.

I've been staying in Chinatown, and so, have been making good use of the LA Metro rail to get around to see the sights.

I've wandered up and down Hollywood Blvd viewing many of the stars, although I didn't know who most of them were dedicated to; I've viewed the famous Hollywood sign; I've seen the Kodak theatre where they hold the Academy Awards; I've seen the Graumans Chinese theatre with all of the hand and shoe prints in concrete.

I spent a day at Universal Studios Hollywood, which was great fun. I took the Studio tour where they drive you around the front and back lots to see some of the sound stages (well, the outsides of them anyway), including the one where they film CSI; we also saw lots of outside sets, including the town used in the filming of Jaws, which, incidentally also doubled up as some of the village of Cabot Cove in 'Murder She Wrote'; we passed by 6 Points road which has been used in many westerns; we saw the facades of the houses used in the Grinch Christmas film, and the Bates Motel from the Psycho film. We also drove around Wisteria Lane from Desperate Housewives. After that we were driven into a subway tunnel where there was a simulation of an earthquake with trains colliding and trucks falling through from the street above, all to demonstrate some of the special effects; it was all very good.

I also went on all of the rides and saw most of the shows. The Terminator 3D show was a bit strange with a mix of people running around the theatre shooting and real footage from the Terminator 2 film; the Shrek 4D show was really funny, although the little girl sitting next to me was a bit scared with all the shaking of the seats and all the water squirting; The Mummy ride and the Jurassic Park rides were both rollercoaster type rides, and were both really good - I squealed a lot! I'd forgotten how much fun rollercoasters are! The special effects show, was fantastic, with the presenters showing how some of the effects are created for the cameras.

Unfortunately, whilst I do have photos, I won't be able to upload them until I'm home. Somewhere in the last couple of weeks I've managed to misplace part of the battery charger for my camera, although since I have the cable I'm not sure how I've managed to lose the bit the battery sits in. Anyway, my second battery finally gave out and so, I have been using my phone to take pictures, but I don't have the cable with me to transfer them to the computer.

And so, that brings me really up to date, in fact, to the end of my trip.

I've been sitting here trying to find the words to bring this blog to its conclusion, but nothing sounds right. Everything I've tried so far either doesn't do the trip justice, or reads as though it should have a voiceover like they had at the end of each episode of the Wonder Years! Maybe once I'm home I'll be able to look back over my time away and come up with some suitable final words, but for now I'll leave it with this:

Over the last 5 1/2 months I've been to some fantastic places, I've done some great things and met some really great people along the way.

I can't wait now to come home and catch up properly with everyone; I'll have a few days at home with mum, dad and Elizabeth before they head off on their respective holidays, and then head back up to my house, and for the first time in nearly 6 months, sleep in my own bed!

To everyone who's been following me on my trip through this blog, congratulations, you've made it to the end! Seriously though, thanks to everyone for reading and even more thanks for all your messages and emails: you've made me laugh and you've made me cry a little, and I've appreciated every one of them.

It's nearly time to head off to the airport soon; I'll post this and head off.

Lots of love to everyone, and I'll see you all soon!

Claire
xxx

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Comments

[wendy]

Even though you are now home and I've seen you your last post still brings a tear to my eye!