Happy 4th July and LALALAND

Hello!

After arriving in the wee hours (6.30am) of Independence Day I have to say, landing in LA felt completely normal. I got to the hotel by 8.30 and passed out for a few hours. AS such, now no jet lag! (sorry, Dad, but I'm glad we're not alike in that)

Yesterday, the 4th July holidays, I wandered through Downtown. Not much was open but I managed to get me some Clinique at Macy's and groceries at Rite Aid, which is very similar to Priceline. I then headed back to the hotel for an hour before catching the Metro rail and bus out to Santa Monica for the celebrations. Transport here is pretty easy but I felt like I was the only white female in LA - the population is 60% spanish and most people don't speak Engliush as their first language. Downtown itself is made up of pretty much every nationality you can think of.

Santa Monica is beautiful, esp at night - the pier was all lit up and the beach had a candle-lit memorial. Catching the bus back took about 2hrs though!

Today I had my tour of LA - ended up being a private tour, which was good but meant that there weren't other people to bounce off and look sickeningly touristy with. (i'll upload photos when i can get on the computer for more than 10mins) Westwood and Hollywood are the happening places. Beverly Hills and Bel Air are clearly the places to live - pity about the price tags. Went to Highland & Hollywood Shopping Centre when on Hollywood Bld and Manns Chinese Theatre - they have some trendy shops, designer places, oh and Hot Topic! (it's a lot like Fat but with more music and heaps of Twilight an dHarry Potter stuff). Definately heading back to Melrose Ave for shopping - Ed Hardy, American Apparel and the trendy one-of-a-kind stores (reminds me of Greville St). I think I'll head back to 3rd st promenade in Santa Monica too.

Tomorrow is Universal Studios, then Tuesday I'll buy a day Metro pass and wander around.

I love LA, but I'm not convinced I could live here - unless I become very rich and preferably famous :P

I miss you all. Oh, and I';m already sunburnt!

More soon
xx bri