Who would have though, that I would end up in the states after an incredible journey through south and central America? Well I wouldn’t, but it happened. All it took was some good news from back home and there I was with some extra months to spend.

I decided to do something totally different because I didn’t want to spend my days in Mexico or any other country down south. So I booked a flight up north to Los Angeles to start a road trip called ‘West coast‘. Yes, I am making my way up from LA to.. well, let’s keep that a secret for now!

It has been a while since my last update, so here is a mega update! Enjoy!

Long Beach

United Airlines transferred me from Mexico City to Los Angeles within 4 hours.  Right after I got out of the airplane everything I knew about the American stereotype thoughts became reality! Everything I saw was big or even bigger! Cars, the people, the distances, food portions, drinks,..

I made my way down south to Long Beach, a part of Los Angeles County and about 32 kilometer away from downtown LA. But getting there is easy because some parts of LA are good accessible by public transport. First I took a free airport shuttle to the Green Metro line, than I took the green metro line to the blue line, and the blue line took me down to Long Beach. Once there it was another 20 minutes bus ride and a 10 minutes’ walk before I arrived at my destination in Belmont Avenue.

During my way I was amazed by what I saw!! Streets are at least 3 lanes wide, the cars driving on it are big, lots of people walking on the street or in the metro where at least three sizes too big, many all-over-tattooed gang members in XXXL t-shirts, screaming Afro-Americans with big asses, bellies and too tied cloths talking some sort of slang, fast food restaurants at every corner, drive through everything everywhere to make it easier and why is everyone all the time playing or talking in their cell phones?

Anyway, it is fun seeing all this coming along my way, I couldn’t wait what more I would see here in LA or in the states.

CouchSurfing

A new way of travelling! I did it already in Mexico but now here in the states I want to do it more often. It’s not only cheap - because you don’t pay for sleeping at someone’s couch - it’s also fun and interesting. You meet local people and see how they live and what they do. They often know lots of things to do in their city so a guidebook is not necessary.

Here in Long Beach I stayed with two incredible people - Jordan and his roommate Christa. They live in a nice apartment deep in Long Beach - about 7 blocks away from the beach and 2 hours by public transport to Hollywood and Downtown LA. Both have their room but share the living room and kitchen. In the living room they have this hugh couch where two people can sleep on easily and which became my bed for the following days.

I arrived here the 31st - Halloween! Yes my first Halloween party ever. There was plenty of beer and other alcoholic drinks, Jordan was the DJ and played an amazing mix of music, lots of friends and friends of friends came by and danced, smoked and drunk. Everyone was dressed up so funny that my dress was slightly boring - they dressed me up as a Viking. I think that during the whole night more than 100 people showed up! I talked with so many of them that I can’t remember who was who..  It was really a great Halloween party until the police came by and shut down the music. A classic end of an amazing party.

Downtown Los Angeles

The next day my hangover wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be, so me and Dudy - an Israelian guy I travelled with in Mexico and who was also here in Long Beach - headed to Downtown Los Angeles for some sightseeing. The skyline of skyscrapers was amazing and made my neck hurt. We walked around for some hours taking photos. We also sneakt into the City Hall without a visitor pass and made our way up to the highest floor from which we had an amazing 360 degree view over the city.

Downtown is nice for a day, it hasn’t as much to offer as I thought. There are a couple of buildings you have to see - like the public library and the City Hall - and a couple of museums - like MOCA. I am sure there is much more but that couldn’t bothered us. We headed back to Long Beach after a long day.

Hollywood!

Visiting Los Angeles and not going to Hollywood is like drinking tea without hot water. Jordan took us up to the Hollywood Boulevard where he worked. It took us almost two hours to get there - imaging doing that every day in the morning and in the evening!! There he showed us the important tourist things and pointed us into the right direction for another nice day walk.

First a short walk over Hollywood Boulevard, down to Sunset Boulevard, and at the end up to Hollywood Boulevard again. It took us the whole day walking to see most of it, taking tons of photos and searching for the famous stars. Hollywood Boulevard is a great place for watching people passing by and being watched by others. Everything here is normal, even not normal people.

Oh and then there is the Hollywood sign! I always thought this was so big that you could see it from all over LA. It is big, but kind of hidden and you need a good spot to see it. I didn’t made my way up the hills to see it proper. Something for the next trip.

Did I mentioned that I saw Drew Barrymore, Tom Hanks, Stevie Wonder and Johnny Depp?

Long Beach

As said I stayed in Long Beach - for me the best place in LA. It’s a save area with everything close by. I took Jordan’s bike many times to go to the beach and ride the Long Beach Bike Path - a fabulous path along the beach which goes all the way to downtown Long Beach where the port is. Going the other direction it took me two hours to reach Newport Beach. Both bike paths are superp!

Near their house there are many bars and cafes with free wifi. Many times I sat there enjoying a cup of tea and reading the news, and somehow not updating my website - shame on me!

Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Bevery Hills and Bel Air

These are the other parts of Los Angeles worth a visit of course! But I can be quick with those parts.. for all of those parts you need a car! They are big and public transportation sucks here. For Beverly Hills and Bell Air you need someone that knows the area and knows where the famous people live. Venice beach wasn’t as awesome as I thought it would be, but Santa Monica was! The bike path in Santa Monica is nice as well!

I didn’t spend too much time in these areas, so no good recommendations here, maybe another time.

Best host every - the nominee goes to

Of course by two fabulous hosts Jordan and Christa! Thanks guys for letting me stay that long and making me feel like being home again. I stayed here for 10 days, sleeping on their couch, using their bikes and internet. It was great sharing the fun with you guys, having great conversations and spending some great moments with you. Take care guys and see you hopefully again somewhere on this planet! Oh, and wherever I am, a couch is waiting for you!

Photos

..are here of course.

Coming up..

Okay first post about Los Angeles is done, I hope I didn’t forget something. Anyway, coming up: Las Vegas Baby! Fucking Las Vegas!! Stay tuned.