Los Angeles

Hi there folks!

I have arrived in Hollywood! The flight was very long and uncomfortable due to a fat American (aren't they all) who had his elbow dug in my ribcage for the entire flight. I didn't sleep for the whole 12 hours, but managed to watch 4 movies.

So we arrived and every American I have met so far has asked where I am going, when I tell them the first few places they ask if I have friends there, I say no, I am just travelling and they say, "what, by yourself?!" The US is clearly not set up for backpackers.

I took the airport shuttle and accidentally gave the driver the name of the wrong hostel, who as it happens did not have any rooms available. It was a 30 minute walk to the real hostel but there was no way I was doing that, so I wandered down Hollywood Blvd with my backpack and went to the nearest hostel. Oh. My. God. It is such a dump. It is the most expensive backpackers I have stayed in since leaving the UK, it is 14GBP per night. For my 14GBP per night I get a matress with all the springs sprung, a shower which points higher than my head so I have to use my hand to direct the flow of water and well the kitchen.... don't get me started. (This, Nan, is why I have nearly cried twice since arriving!!)

Hollywood is full of deadbeat dropouts and wannabees. Today I visited the Los Angeles Contemporary Museum of Art and saw the Magritte exhibition, which was amazing. I got to see The Lovers again - it was the painting from Canberra just in a different frame.

I have taken photos of the LA skyline from Hollywood but the smog makes it look very gross. In fact if you look just 2 blocks down the street everything is hazy from the smog - it's so disgusting.

I haven't seen any famous people yet, but there was a photographer hovering near where the road was cordoned off - I am going to go back and wait for the super star to emerge!!

Y'all have a Good Day now, y'hear!