Since I last updated in Guatemala I did the whole volcano thing, a bit of rock climbing and a small amount of drinking. Rock climbing seems a bit harder when you are on the rock face itself, it all looks so easy when you are on the ground. I personally don't think the instructor calling me a p**** helped either.

We had a brief stop in San Cristobal, Mexico, just long enough to go and see a big canyon full of crocodillios and eat some tacos. After that we took a mammoth bus journey to Mexico city and all got flights our seperate ways. Flying solo now.

I've been in California for a couple weeks, it's a bit wierd coming back to western civilization, wierd and expensive! I've been staying at a hostel in Pacific Beach in San Diego, called Banana Bungalow which rocks, a really cool crowd and a whole lot of drinking every night.......my body is distroyed. I've been checked into another hostel in downtown the last couple nights but haven't actually stayed there yet as I always end up getting smashed and crashing at Banana. Probably outstayed my welcome.

We had a Pimps and Ho's theme party a couple nights ago for which I was told everybody will dress up so I had to make the effort. Unfortunately I have no money for costumes so my only option was to borrow the sluttiest clothes I could find from girls in the hostel. It was a little concerning how happy everybody was to dress me up as a women. As it turned out only 7 people dressed up I felt like a complete tool but the beer soon took care of that. I made me some good money, might have to pimp myself out more often!

There have been bar crawls and big parties everynight but I can't tell you much about them, mainly because I don't remember. I've been hiking a few times aswell, my friend who lives here insists on walking me up massive mountains especially when I'm so hungover it hurts just to be alive.

Sammy's travel tip #1:Hiking up mountains in the Californian desert with a stonking hangover is not recommended.

I've met some cool people, Americans are starting to grow on me, some of them are so retarded it's funny......infact thats probably why we get along so well. My personal favourites so far have been an American guy I went to a vineyard with, got wasted, and watched him attempt to kill a duck with a massive salami. Another had been the guy who introduces the whale at Seaworld. Every night when drunk he comes out with "ladies and gentlemen, are you ready to meet the largest motherf***ing mammel in the world, motherf***ing SHAMUUUUUUUUUU". Cracks me up everytime...... maybe you gotta be there.

I can't actually afford to live right now (any donations greatly appreciated) so today I start working in a hostel downtown for free accommodation. I've taken a massive career move and become a cleaner. Good times. I'm going to be staying in San Diego for a month until a crew is assembled for the great American road trip so I'll update again then!

Hope is is good in the homeland, keep in touch,

Gibb