So as you all know, I am currently in Los Angeles, the place that leads the world for television productions, video games, and recording music. Exciting! I actually have never been before; which makes me an LA virgin, in fact I'm an American virgin full stop! But loads of my friends live here and have been telling me to come for ages, so yes I gave into peer pressure! Why not!
Well to call it a 'holiday' would be a complete misconception, I haven't stopped since the second I arrived! Check out all the photos on my Instagram - wallisday
Let me firstly, just make it clear how 'not-fun' a 16 hour flight alone is. Yet I think i've made up for it so far! Everything here seems to be a historical feature or part of a set, it's so surreal walking down the walk of fame! I've been to the rooftop swimming pool every morning - I think it's safe to say lengths haven't really seemed much of a hardship for the first time in my life! The rest of the day I travelled, explored, and lived!
Meeting up with friends feels ten times better here than bumping into someone in the UK. It's like you're a team, all the Brits stick together, and when you hear the English accent it's sooo exciting! You just attach yourself to each other like a magnet, a force of attraction! Immediately you find you have so much in common and it's nice to be around people who don't confuse 'chips' with 'crisps', someone who know's what 'toilet' means, and understands "water"! Oh the simple things!
Anyone who truly knows me, knows full well how obsessed with Whole foods I am.. Well in Cali, Whole Foods is just like their average supermarket. Soooo casual, I love it, fresh food every day, you just feel so rejuvenated and motivated ha! However, I might have had my first ever in-n-out!
On my first week.. I went to the Chinese theatre and explored the cracks and creeks! There was actually a film premier there in the evening so we all got evacuated pretty soon so I took myself off to the local museums. It's so interesting to see how Hollywood has changed and what it was like back in the 60's with the hustle and bustle, oh to experience those times..
We took a tour bus around Hollywood and Beverly hills, it was intriguing seeing where such influential people had lived, died, or currently still lived. I must say I felt pretty proud to be British as we drove past David Beckhams' house, I'm definitely gong to force my little brother to play football..
S H O P P I N G - yessss that happened! I need to learn to control myself, they're just all lit up and the clothes are super beautiful, hot handbags hanging, shiny shoes standing, designer dresses dangling, captivating clothes everywhere, it was HEAVEN! I'd rather not talk about the events that occurred afterwards!
We hiked up the Runyon's and reached the Hollywood sign, Griffiths Observatory and the James Dean statue. It's mad though because people actually run the whole way, in the heat and the dry air, I was shocked at their endurance and determination, fp. Note - take suncream with you. My cheeks are still scarlet. Not a great look for going out.
At that point I'm going to mention Saddle Ranch, if you go to Hollywood you must eat, drink and be merry there! There's a bucking bull that you can ride and it gets VERY entertaining after a few (I'm currently not drinking and it was still fun!) So there you go! But beware, the portion sizes are HUUUUGEEEE, I could have fed the bull with my leftovers, genuinely..
Hollywood have got their nightlife down to a T though. We've been to Supper club, Soho house and House of Blues, mainly. All of which I would strongly recommend to any fellow LA virgin.
Weeeeek Twoooo.. This consisted of socialising mostly! My friends took me to Beverly Hills hotel - yes where Marilyn had her own room! - to watch the game. This is the first time I've watched American football in my life. Not saying i'd like to be on the pitch but I did enjoy it! Possibly because you only really have to concentrate when the ball is near the 10 years line in case they touchdown! But no, now I am a fan.
I'd always thought I was a decent bowler, this was until last week. I went bowling with a group of friends, and I think it's safe to say I didn't come too close to winning.. "It's okay," I kept telling myself! "I'm good at other things!" I didn't really mind until one of the boys bought me a 'lucky wristband' for bowling that had the word "SPIRIT" across it. Right I think I handled losing pretty well, I don't need "spirit"!!! Hahaha oooops..
The rest of the week was non-stop though, we went to the Grammy after party then snuck off to the Billboard party. Both were awesome. The Grammy one was in the convention centre and the theme was 1920's - one of my favourite eras! Everything was Great Gatsby themed, I felt like I was on set! Fountains were dotted around the enormous venue, everyone was dressed up 20's style, the food was scrumptious, the acts were exciting and the performers were brilliant.
My friend and I went to Malibu beach. What can I say, it was sunny, relaxing... sandy? Just beautiful, we then walked to Santa Monica beach and messed about on the pier on the rides and gambled our dollars away. Cirque de soleil had pitched their tents beside the pier and we watched the gymnasts practise for the show; swinging, jumping, twisting, spinning, everything you thought was impossible for a human body to do, was made possible. Their talent was jaw dropping, I think we stood there mesmorised for at least 10 minutes.
Week threeeee.. SUPER BOWL WEEK. So super bowl was a new experience. First time I've ever enjoyed TV adverts lets put that out there! I was like watching short films they were all shot so well! Anyway snapping out of that.. The game wasn't even remotely intense (for me) Seattle Seahawks led from the first minute and went on to win the game. I didn't watch the game live, we watched it at my friends place, but I've never seen so much effort for a party over a football match, it was amazing! Everything was themed! Banners everywhere, food galore, people were on rollerblades, table tennis tables were swarmed with enthusiastic players - actually no, more for the people who weren't fixed on the TV the whole time! I think I was rather oblivious to how much everyone around me had drunk by the final touchdown! We ended up going out at 8pm and by 12am people were dropping like flies! Team spirit is what we all like to see eh!
Yesterday I went to Disneyland California! As if this place doesn't have everything anyway, we went to the 'happiest place on earth' and boy were we happy! As a pair of adrenaline junkies we felt right at home with Hollywood Tower of Horror and Space Mountain! Even the water rapids were great to help us cool down under the roasting sun. You'd go from dripping to dry as a bone in minutes, I could get so used to this weather! Plenty of hamburgers, sweets, ice creams, fizzy drinks and hot chocolates later we left the park in high spirits with a few pretty unfortunate looking photos of us on rides, ones I will post for a laugh haha. I LOVE DISNEYLAND!
So yes, Cali is great so far. However on a serious point.. Tea.
Tea is what I miss the most, I love the American's I've met, but it's official! No one can make a cuppa like a Brit!
W x
