I checked in around 5.30am and we were in the sky by 10am and the craziest thing is I arrive in Los Angeles at 6.30am on the exact same day so technically I'm a time traveller.
The flight seemed endless, but the food was the best I've had on a plane and the film selection was OK although I didn't get as much sleep as I wanted.
So I arrive in LA a bit disorientated especially with the time difference, but I managed to get on a Supershuttle, which I would recommend using if you are arriving in LA. It is basically as bus/taxi that picks up people that are staying in similar areas and it's a lot cheaper than taxis.
I arrived at my accommodation around 9, I was staying with a lady called Irene, who I found on the website, Air Bnb. Now for those of you that haven't heard of this I recommend having a look. It basically where you stay at someone's house and they can either be there or you could have the entire house to yourself. Irene had fantastic reviews and I thought it would be better to stay in a house with my own bed rather than a hostel where I would stay in a dorm with 10 people and it was only marginally more expensive.
The house is more than 400 years old but is beautiful. Irene grew up there and briefly lived in New York, before moving back to sort the house out. My room was located at the front of the house and it's a bungalow, I'm not entirely comfortable with this sort of location for a room but it turned out to be ok!
After dumping my bags and grabbing a quick shower to wake myself up, I headed to the nearest supermarket, Ralph's to grab some food. I couldn't believe how reasonably priced everything was, it was definitely so much cheaper than Australia. I bough 2 apples, 2 bananas, a bottle of water, a huge bottle of Gatorade and a hiking cereal bar for $4.50, not bad. Afterwards I decided to head towards The Grove, which is a famous shopping mall, although I couldn't quite remember the directions Irene gave me so I made a friend at the bus station Marvin/Marshall can't quite remember his name. Anyway he happened to work at Banana Republic in The Grove and was heading that way so he said I could come with him. Turns out it was a short bus ride and only $1.50.
The Grove was amazing.
I did a bit of shopping and got some real bargain bits, before heading off to explore the Farmer's Market, which had food from all over the world. I then stopped at Whole Foods and had a delicious slice of mushroom pizza.
On returning to the house Irene informed me that Katie (a girl a similar age to me from the UK, that often stays with Irene in LA) was keen to go to the beach if I wanted to go. I was all for that, as I had no idea how I would get to Santa Monica as the buses are super confusing.
So we went to Santa Monica, I was expecting something a little different so I was a bit disappointed. It was really commercial and there was a huge carpark between the town/park and the beach. But it was the beach and you all know I love that. We went to the pier first where I treated myself to candyfloss which is my absolute favourite.
We then headed to the beach as Katie wanted to go swimming and I was so wiped from the flight and time difference I feel straight asleep on the beach, but not before I took a photo.
I must of fallen asleep for an hour before Katie woke me up and took me to Old Navy to get a $5 July 4th tshirt. We ended up getting back to the house super late, so that no restaurants were open and we had to root around in the cupboards for something to make, we had pasta with minimal sauce and some garlic bread.
For the following day, I set my alarm for 8.30am, that was an epic fail as I ignored all my alarms and only woke up at 11.40am as I heard my phone buzzing. You see Katie and I had made plans to head out for a proper American brunch to celebrate July 4th at 11am whoopsie, I must have been tired! Anyway I got ready quickly and tried to dress suitably.
We then headed down to Hollywood Boulevard, Katie went off to a July 4th Festival which wasn't really my scene and I did some sightseeing. My first stop was the mall, where there was a great lookout point of the Hollywood sign.
I then walked down this street, which I'm sure you'll all recognise.
After having a browse of the names in the stars and people watching all the crazy characters on the street I decided it was time to eat, American style so I asked a shop keeper for suitable recommendations, he advised to to go to Mel's Diner. Now apparently this is famous and has been in a few films but I have yet to google this. Obviously i had to ask for a table for one, not as awkward as you would think. I ordered a Vanilla Shake and a BLT stacker, both were incredible, safe to say I was full after my American size meal.
It was actually great, I read my book, wrote some postcards and looked in my guide book and no one was there to tell me off. After a lengthy late afternoon brunch I decided to walk to the end of the boulevard.
It was all rather patriotic with loads of people dressed in their red, white and blue attire. I also noticed how confident and forward the Americans are, now this is a generalisation and only my opinion but I got approached by so many people, it was an awesome confidence boost. I had people approach me in the street with 'you're so beautiful girl', 'you're an actress right?' and 'shortie damnn', strange but awesome as this has never happened in the UK let alone 3 times in one day. So anyway I then got on the bus back to the house and this guy say next to me and was like, 'you're on E Entertainment right?' and I was so gobsmacked I didnt say anything, so he was like 'I love your work'. Being a fake celeb for the day was great.
I got back to the house arrive 5pm and caught up with some blog posts (sorry for so many in a row, I've been lazy) and then headed to The Grove for a lonesome July 4th meal. It was packed with families, friends and couples enjoying Independence Day festivities, it was really great to be apart of.
So eating lunch alone was fine as it wasn't that busy, but dinner was pretty awkward, as there was no one else doing the same. I have never had to say, 'table for 1 please', I felt like a confident, independent woman, how appropriate for Independence Day.
I had a Apple Midori cocktail.
For food I had 2 'small' appetizers as I was still pretty full from lunch. Seated tuna and calamari, it was delicious.
As you can see my Kindle was my only company.
After dinner, I was some of the water fountain show before heading to Sprinkles Cupcakes, as recommended by someone from home. Now you should know I'm rather fussy when it comes to cake, it's my mum's cake or don't bother. So it came as a huge shock when I realised it was incredible. I picked a Red Velvet which is Classic American and a special that day. Definitely head there if you're in LA.
I headed back to the house but only managed to get to sleep around 4am, jet lag got the best of me.
My final day in LA, I woke early to Skype my mum and dad and Nath before heading to Ralph's supermarket to stock up on cereal bars for Costa Rica. My plan was to then hike Runyon Canyon, however I think there was a heat wave as it was roasting outside, so Katie and I decided to head to the local pool and it was deliciously refreshing.
We ate Mexican Tacos for lunch at the Farmer's Market before heading back to the house to get sorted for my flight.
So lasting thoughts on LA. It was OK, more hectic, commercial and trashier than expected but I did enjoy my time there but I can't imagine I'll be heading back in a hurry.
Next stop Costa Rica for 5 weeks of no phone, Internet (blog posts), bed or alcohol. Wish me luck and I'll write again on my return.
Xoxo
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