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Published: February 6th 2007
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The transfer turned out to be an eight hour drive in all, and we both had hangovers, after the previous nights drinking games, Beer Pong, and tequilla drinking. An english guy in the hostel, Adrian, had just got to S.F from Mexico, so had a big bottle of tequilla!! Mmmm. Hangover was quite bad, and luckily it didn't feel like we had missed a day, as would have probably spent it all in bed. The crazy Aussies that we were also drinking with were mental, can't wait to get to Oz!!
I really do not know where to start with L.A! Our hostel is in Hollywood, a few minutes walk from Hoolywood Blvd., where all the action is. It's a quaint 1920's abode, and we're staying in the basement, right near the kitchen, which is handy, as we have been cooking to save money.
We have done some of the typical touristy things. Went on a tour of some of the celebrity homes in the Beverly Hills, Bell Air and Mullholand Drive areas, starting at the Hollywood sign. We couldn't get too close to it, as people have been barricaded out since unsuccessful wannabies committed suicide
of the letters, and people defaced them to spell out other words! Saw the homes of such celebrities as Snoop Dogg, P. Diddy, Charlize Therone, Tom Cruise, as well as many more current and previous stars. Also saw the house used for Fresh Prince, which actually happens to be in Bel Air, and the house in Nightmare on Elm Street. It's crazy, pretty much every house, street, restaurant, cafe, shop, etc, etc, has been used in a film, TV program or reality program, absoloutly mental. Finding out the what buildings had been used for what films, and the history (ghost stories) behind the buildings was more interesting than who lives where. No privacy at all, but if you are going to live there, you have to expect it!
Within two days we had been on TV twice!! We saw Jimmy Kimmel being recorded live, which is an American evening talk show. One of the Desperate Housewives was on, as well as music from Damian and Stephen Marley, and some crazy Egyptian dude, who takes photos of himself with celebrities. Dicky Barrat from the Mighty Mighty Bosstones was the commentator, although never heard or saw him do anything whilst
Dejavu Rollercoaster.
One of the finest rollercoasters at Six Flags, Magic Mountain. he was there. It was really fun, better than I had expected. We were in the very first audience shot too, clapping and cheering like crazy, clapped so hard that it made my hands sting. We also got asked to answer a few questions on camera for a program called Balanced Living. They asked questions like 'how different would your live be if you had been a sports star?', the impossible to answer sort of questions that you say silly answers to, because you can't think that quickly on the spot. Oh well, it was a laugh.
On Friday evening we went to the opening night of a new scary film called 'Messengers' at the Chinnese Theatre. This is the most prestidgous and popular theatre in Hollywood, where all the major films premier, and very grand it was. The film was really good, won't ruin it by telling you the story, but it is definatley worth seeing when it comes out in the UK!! He he he! The guy sitting the other side of Adam kept jumping high when he was scared, funny!! Everyone started clapping at the end of the film, and cheering when some of the
credits came up, which was kind of weird, never seen that before.
We went to the most amazing theme park on Saturday, Six Flags, Magic Mountain. It is the proud owner of the Superman ride, that goes from 0 to 70 (ish)mph in several seconds, and can be seen on the program Top 10 Rollercoasters. They were experiencing technical difficulties, so didn't get to go on it, but the whole park was full of amazing rides, rollercoasters mainly. There were ones where you stood up, layed down, went forwards, then backwards, and there was one with the most intense drops!! So good. As it is winter here, although you wouldn't think it, the park was dead, so didn't have to que much, which was great!! Even got to see the sun go down over the hills, whilst on the top of the tallest ride there, epic. Made me feel less scared of jumping out an aeroplane, it was the warm up of scary things.
Got to see David Copperfield at the Kodak theatre, where the Oscars are held, it is so huge, it's incredible. David Copperfield, what can I say!! He made a car appear on
stage, and part of the audience move from the stage to a second floor balcony in seconds. How the hell does he do it!! Never come out of a performance feeling so confused!! It was incredible.
The weather here has got hotter and hotter as the days have gone on. Getting a sun tan already, and having to apply sun cream frequently, and it's winter!! Got the bus down to Santa Monica beach, and strolled along the beach front, bare foot in the sand, what a brilliant feeling, down to Venice beach. This stretch of beach is where Baywatch is filmed. So beautiful, an unspoilt landscape. This is also the home of Muscle Beach, where there are weights and bars by the side of the beach for poeple to work out and practice gymnastics for free!! Amazing, why can't we have that in Pompey? We hired cruisers and cycled up and down the beach, so pleasant! At sunset, at the Venice end, we encountered the biggest drum circle I have ever seen (without counting Glastonbury). There were many people playing different sorts of drums, and many others dancing, several hundred were there, having the times of their lives, on the beach at sunset. Looks as if it is a regular Sunday evening event too, the beach is the place to be, that is for sure. This was also the hippy end of the beach, with quirky little shops and stalls.
LA has two contrasting sides, the chilled out, fun beach area, and celebrity land, where everyone is either a celebrity, wannabe celebrity, or is incredibley obsessed with celebrities. Crazy place, but I have really enjoyed it. Roll on Fiji!!
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Sarah Caldwell
non-member comment
wow!!
The picture of you and adam in new york is sooo cute! Im so happy you are having a good time and reading this has made me want to do this myself soon. Take care and dont forget to use your suntan lotion :) *hugs*