Yeah, that's right, I'm staying in Hollywood. For the night. And then heading on to Brazil tomorrow. I'm sorta on the hillside below the sign at someone's sweet house.
So it is that my big OE trip has commenced.
Prior to my departure, besides not blogging, I was very busy. Workin' full-time, living alone, and getting a lot of man-love (and a little woman-love too, but not so much) saying good bye to everyone - some people prematurely, meaning I said good bye to them several times over a couple of weeks. But that's all over now, and after some stressful packing I was on the plane all to Auckland, and there was nothing more I could do. (By the way, that guy from that band followed me from Wellington all the way to LA, but I can't remember what band. And I don't know that guy's name. I'm pretty sure they're well known around NZ and Australia though! Yeah, that's right.)
But then my worst nightmare struck. Fatigued, but in cramped stuffy conditions on the flight to LA, I decided to read some of my travel guide to both become more informed about Brazilian culture, and also to hopefully be put to sleep. Was I ever misguided in that belief. Just out of interest I decided to flick to the "do before you go" section - specifically the part about Visas. Much to my horror, it said NZers and Canadians (I have dual citizenship) both need Visas!?!?!? Noooooooooo! Because I didn't have one. And I still don't. Those lousy Lonely Planet liers gave me a severe case of in-flight panic, and for nothing. New Zealanders DON'T need a Visa for stays of up to 90 days in Brazil. So thank god, but never trust Lonely Planet. Ever. Even if the guide is up to date to only a few months ago as mine is. The End.
Disclaimer: Lonely Planet offers quality travel guides, with plenty of information in them. I'm sure they try to be as accurate as possible, but inevitably there will be some mistakes. Otherwise I wholeheartedly endorse the guides, unless something bad happens to me on my trip due to the information contained within the aforementioned guide book series. Then I will reconsider my position, and talk to my lawyer. (Jack, I'm counting on you).
The other scary moment was some severe turbulence in the middle of the night, which woke everyone up from their slumber, including "sob lady" who lived roughly two rows back from me and decided to sob and scream the whole time. But I wasn't even scared even.
And so I made it alive to the city of many wide streets - Los Angeles. Beneath the smog it was a beautiful day. After deciding American TV is just as crap as most of NZ TV (that is, because most of NZ TV is American TV), but manages to be crap over hundreds of channels, and after a snooze and a shower, I went for a walk to get me some American Eats, and see the Hollywood.
Above is the Capitol Records building in the evening sun, as I walked over a bunch of names in stars (though didn't really recognise any of them...
And that's the smoggy freeway that runs by Hollywood Boulevard, along with some tall smoggy buildings in the back.
I better sum up for now, but I am enjoying this free internet access - a luxury I will have to live without.
In conclusion, being in LA is like being in an American movie, without any action. And you can smell the air and taste the water, which you don't have to put up with in a Cinema in Wellington. And Fox News is just as unbearable yet strangely addictive.
PS If you still don't know about my trip, or have only just come accross this blog, please refer to this previous post.
