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I landed at LA airport and met Andy and we then wiated around for an hour or two for his girlfriend, Hannah to arrive. After meeting and greeting I left them to go and find their car and jumped in a mini bus taxi which took me direct to the door of the hostel I had pre-booked into in West Hollywood. Met a couple English guys and a Kiwi in here and yep to finish the trip off in the same way the last few months have gone we went out for a few beers.
Next day Andy and Hannah came and met me at hostel in their hire car and we drove about taking in the sights and scenary which LA had to offer. We went to Holywood Boulevard to view the famous stars and the hand & feet prints of all the famous holywood actors. After this we headed up into the hills to find the Hollywood sign in the moutains which we succeded in locating. After this I said farewell to Andy and Hannah as I would be heading up to San Fran tomorrow and I headed back to hostel and septn evening watching a film with couple other guests.
Got a taxi to the Greyhound Bus Station in Downtown LA and it was only at this point that I realised the sheer size and scale of this city, not to mention the cost of a taxi!!!! Once I went through check in I wlaked towrds the gate where there was a large TV film crew on location from Fox TV. Make sure you watch all Fox TV shows now and you may see a weary tramp in the background, yes that will be me. The bus journey took 8 hours with a stop en route. No Noodle stalls or fruit sellers this time, meal of the day today was to be Burger King!!! Welcome to America! I arrived at San Fran in evening and was greeted by Jo and Russ. We then took the Bart (rail service) to Pleasant Hill where we jumped into Russ and Jo's car and headed over to a restaurant/bar to meet Chris, his girlfriend and his work colleague. Spent the evening catching up with everybody over dinner and beers before driving back to Chris's where we would all be spending the next few nights.
The next morning myself, Jo and Russ headed across the bridge and into San Fran city. Here we booked onto a Duck Tour (amphibious vehicle) and were taken on a tour of all the sights and sounds of the city. It was only us three on the vehicle so once we had entered the water the captain told us it was his last day and let us drive the boat around the harbour. Who would of thought it hey, I was a true Sailor in San Francisco. You cant make it up, Hello Sailor. haha.
The next couple days were spent chilling and going to a bar we frequented last time I was in San Fran. The night before Jo, Russ and myself were heading down to San Diego we attended one of Chris's work colleagues sons birthday. This was in a proper ghetto area I was told, however I think I fitted in well with my adopted gangster limp and calling everybody my hommie. Everybody here was very friendly and there was free beer, result! I did get a little worried when we were leaving and a car exiting slowly started winding the windows down, it turns out however this was no drive by shooting and the occupants were merely waving out the window to say farewell, phew!
The next morning we headed off down the coast towards San Diego which took all day to reach. Once here we checked into our rooms and this must of been the most luxurious room I stayed in for the last 10 months (excluding peoples houses I visted that is), nice one Russ for some how wangling that one for me. Huge double bed, plasma TV with sky, even my own bathroom!!!! We went out that evening to watch the Hatton fight at an English Bar down the road from the hotel we were staying at, but unfortunately I had got the times mixed up and we had already missed it, still we were not to let that deter us from having a few drinks!!!
Went into town next day and had a walk along Marina before hiring a four seater pedal car. Im not sure Jo was enjoying the ride too much and this was confirmed after she exited the vehicle after 5 minutes on it. Myself and Russ continued our tour along the marina front and into town before we returned the vehicle (in one peice I might add) and met Jo again.Grabbed some lunch and then headed back towards hotelwhere I was going to chill for a few hours whilst Jo & Russ went to watch an American Football game they had pre-booked before coming out.
I contacted the Airlines to re-arrange my flight as I had decided over the last couple days that it was time to head home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! As much as I have enjoyed USA in the past it seemed like such an anti climax and a bit 'Plain Jane' to what I had experienced elsewhere over the last few months. Went out that evening for a final night abroad on the sauce and then up the next morning to head to LA for my flight. Russ and jo were heading back towards San Fran so they dropped me off at the airport and I sat in the lounge awaiting that final flight home. 10 hours later we had landed back at Heathrwo only to then sit on the airport runway for 45 mins awaiting a gate to open for us, this was followed up by a 45 min wait for the bags, Welcome back to London!!!!!
What can I say an amazing amazing last 10 months. Half of what I have seend and done I cannot even begin to put into words and it is a true cliche of what everyone always says, but 'you have to of been there'. 10 months of enjoyment has come to an end and now its back to the cold days and nights (and let me tell you I never realised before spending that long away how cold England gets!!) and the hunt for a job. Well I need to start saving for 'Flying Solo Part 2' dont I..............
So until next time, don't have nightmares.
Haha, do you see what I did there, yeah whatever,
Over and Out.
The Weeman
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