First duty was a photo shoot. I vowed to wear a bikini on a beach in LA, so the top came off. I left my shorts on - too damn cold! No one screamed, no one died, no one called 911, so after a couple of happy snaps as proof, clothes were back on and we hit the Santa Monica pier. Essentially, it's like sideshow alley on a pier. Rides were about $3 or $5, depending on what ride, and food was over priced and gross. We went on the Ferris wheel, took in the coastal views, and the girls had a couple of rides.
We made our way back toward the city, stopping to look at the over priced wares and moving right on!
We had a look at Santa Monica's answer to Rundle Mall. Lots of interesting looking stores, but aside from fulfilling a 'while in America' order, that was it. Oh, except for Barnes & Noble. A book lovers heaven! 3 floors of books, and I bought 2. A quick comparison - it cost the same to buy 2 books here as it does to buy one back home.
After ambling down the mall, we decided to head back. But due to LA Metros stupid bus service, we ended up catching the wrong bus and headed to the Freeway. But we made it to a place where we could swap to the right bus back to the hotel, so it ended ok. Big shout out to the LA Metro app, which saved the day, although having a map link would be better for visitors! (see observation #1 below). And we got to see a bit more of LA.
Grossest sight of the day was while waiting to catch a bus. A homeless guy walked up to a bin, pulled out a Starbucks cup with some ice and the dregs of someone's drink, and walked off happily drinking it. I nearly threw up.
Thai for dinner before repacking and the rest of the night was just relaxing. We fly to South Carolina tomorrow, so a night in was ideal.
Since we've been here, we've constantly drawn comparisons and made observations about LA/America, so here are some:
- In LA, you don't catch a bus from bus stop number so and so, you search by cross street. Always handy to know your nearest cross street!
- Traffic doesn't slow down for construction. No reduce sped signs. One can assume road workers are paid more here.
- and road workers actually work, not stand around all day laughing at the traffic creeping by at 25kmph.
- By and large, bus drivers & cab divers have no sense of humour or people skills.
- A capsicum is a bell pepper and Subway workers get confused easily, as do supermarket operators and sales people in general.
- Money. Aside from the love of the $1 bill, a dime is 10c but its smaller in size than a 5c piece. They also have quarters. Next up, the 36c piece? Very confusing when coming from a country that's currency increases with size according to value - with the exception of course of the $1 & $2 coins, but we let that slide.
- Homeless people wear Nikes yet beg for money. Here's a tip, buy cheaper shoes and feed yourself!
- Price plus tax. If anything looks like a bargain, add tax. It also takes the price to a ridiculous cent figure, which is why there are pennies. Round up or down AFTER you add the tax!
- in LA, we've seen 3 types of dogs. Fluffy tshitzi ones, chihuahuas or muscle dogs. Haven't seen a Labrador or Shepard or anything else, just those 3 types. Maybe it's a city requirement?
- Drivers will almost always wave you on while you cross the road. Manys the time we've been about to step off the curb, seen a car, waved the car on but they've waved us on. Which considering crossing the road can be fraught with danger is a nice thing!
- LA driver have no hesitation using their horns. If someone has stopped in front of you, beep. Someone going too slow, beep. Haven't used your horn for 2 minutes, beep.....
Song of the day: Santa Monica Boulevard
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