Life in the O.C

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Hello everyone,

God we miss Bob the Beetle!!

We've been on about 20 busses to get us up here and we've got plenty more to go before we get to Hollywood.

We're also very conspicuous with our massive backpacks (and the fact we're the only none Mexicans!). First stop on our trip around the O.C is Huntington Beach, known as Surf City USA.

We caught a Greyhound to Santa Ana and realise the directions we have are useless. Luckily a complete stranger comes to our rescue and shows us how to get there.

As we're waiting for the bus, I go and get a drink of water. Clio is sat reading her book, minding her own business when I normal looking guy (or so we thought) comes over and the following exchange takes place:

Guy: You come her on the greyhound?
Clio:Yeah from San Diego
Guy: Where are you from?
Clio: Manchester, England
G: Oh Yeah?
C: Yeah, been here for a few weeks
G: Every time I catch the greyhound they take a crystal our of my head
C 😞stunned silence)

I return and presume a normal chat is taking place...

G: Yeah, it happens everytime I'm on the Greyhound bus. There's 2 dimensions and the one I've been in has dead bodies everywhere, it's putrid
C&A: Oh...ok...
G (suddenly cheery, like everything he's said is normal): Anyway, good to hear other people have made it to this country
C&A: (completely terrified and confused) Thanks

So obviously we're thrilled when this escaped mental patient boards the same bus as us...We decide not speak to anyone else on the bus for a while.

We rock up at our Hotel and met by a massive grey building on a retail park. Apparently our budget doesn't stretch to lodgings near the beach. So it's back on the bus the next day to get to the actual beach.

The town is lovely and very Californian. Lots of tanned beautiful people hanging out on the pier and in the coffee shops.

We head to Newport Beach to have dinner with Clio's Uni friend Maddie, who lives out here. It's really nice to catch up with her and we stuff our faces with Mexican food. Newport Beach is a classier version of Huntington and it's a shame we have to go back to our boring hotel afterwards!

The next destination is Venice Beach which on first inspection seems a bit run down and tacky. But we soon realise is a very cool place. It's a shame the weathers a bit rubbish because I can tell it really comes to life in the sunshine. The hostel is right on the beach so we spend a bit of time walking up the boardwalk and checking out the bizare stalls and buskers. It's like being in 'Lost Boys' (obviously I have to link everywhere we go to a film!)

So we have 6 days to go, 2 in downtown LA and 4 in Hollywood. I've enjoyed the States but our gradually dwindilling budget is getting pretty tight and we're looking forward to going to a country that is better set up for backpackers!

Anyhoo, until next time hope you're all well and like the photos...sorry it took so long and keep the messages coming

Ali and clio xx

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Comments

[sheena paterson]

Fantastic to be able to see what you guys have been up to. The story of the mental man on the bus really made me laugh!! Look forward to the next episode in the 'Poperson' tales! Love to you both xx

[Leila]

OMG
That man talking about the Greyhound buses sounded well scary! I bet it was really really good to see Maddie. At least when you continue travelling some of the people will speak different languages - it may actually be a good thing! It all sounds really exciting though and the photos are great. Keep on enjoyinh yourselves. x x x