31 December 2006 - Boston
New Years Eve & also Jarrod's b'day - happy b'day bro.
Drifted around the Boston inner city when we finally got our bums into gear today. Walked down to Boston Common, a large park in the city, which was packed today. People were arriving here in droves to settle in to countdown the New Year, even though it was just plain freezing (even colder than anything I'd previosuly experienced while watching footy at Waverley). All in all, the Common is a lovely little area, complete with a very popular ice skating rink, and a half-frozen pond. I should have take a few pics today but didn't, and regret it. I'll get some pics of the Common up here soonish. The rest of our drift took us through the Financial District and through Chinatown.
The night was spent first at the house of Abi's brother in a outer suburb called Watertown, which was white with snow, from where we moved onto a bar in Harvard Square. More beers with a good crew, including Ab and her housemate Liz.
And while on the subject of beers: the two different beers in this picture are a Bud Light and a Budweiser. Bud Light is not what you would think it is: it's not low alcohol, its low carbs. Both beers - and American beers in general I've found - don't carry anywhere near the same taste as the Aussie beers (there's certainly no aftertaste), and leave you nowhere near as bloated as a Calrton Draught or a VB might do. I feel as though you could drink 20 of them of not feel bloated at all, something unfamiliar. Thus, I've been having a few Stella Artois to experience something a little stronger than the US stuff.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Saturday, December 30, 2006
30 December 2006 - LA to Boston
Up at 2.5 hours before sparrows fart (otherwise known as 4.30am) to get a transfer from the hostel at 5am, despite the fact our flight left at 7:25am. The reason is that there is a recommendation on the American Airlines website that one arrives at LA Airport 2 hours before any domestic flight. We both thought this was a little early until we arrived at the Airport and went through the process of getting on a domestic flight. Consider this:
Up at 2.5 hours before sparrows fart (otherwise known as 4.30am) to get a transfer from the hostel at 5am, despite the fact our flight left at 7:25am. The reason is that there is a recommendation on the American Airlines website that one arrives at LA Airport 2 hours before any domestic flight. We both thought this was a little early until we arrived at the Airport and went through the process of getting on a domestic flight. Consider this:
- Even at 5:30 in the morning there is quite a queue.
- The queue moves very slow, because despite the fact that are people waiting, there is no urgency from the staff. In particular, the staff at the checkin counter take forever to process people, basically going about their job in cruise mode. Comparatively, I think the queue that took us 55 mins to get through would take somewhere between 15 to 30 mins in Australian airports. The slow service is not just unique to the airports - I thought the same about Macy's (the US version of Myer - its amazing how similar the two are) and fast food outlets.
- There was no 'calls' for any flights that were leaving soon. If you were near the cut-off time, you just had to wing it through the lines ie. push in
- The official "cut-off" for baggage was 45 minutes. Unofficially, this must be greater, because we checked in with 55 mins remaining before our flight, AND tipped the bag bloke $5, only to have our bags miss the flight anyway (if I come across that same bloke the next time I'm at LA Airport, I might be inclined to ask for my $5 I gave him to ensure "good service" back).
- Security is a lot tighter (which I actually think makes sense). In particular, I can never understand why in Australian domestic airports they don't check your ID at the flight gate - I can easily walk onto a plane with anyone else's ticket.
Anyway, we got on board for the flight to Boston. The plane we were on was certainly older than any of the Qantas, Jetstar or Virgin fleet back home. Landed at 4pm Boston time without our bags, and it was nearing sunset, so we basically lost the day in transit. Abi & Nicki did us a huge favour and picked us up from the airport, something I'll certainly have to repay them for. My immediate impression of Boston was that it was like Gotham City, expect not as intimidating as the city that was patrolled by Batman would have felt. Most of the buildings have an old colonial type facade, the consistency of which is remarkable and a credit to the city's administration.
We kicked off our first night of our secondment in the most appropriate fashion - a feed in an Irish pub, a drink in another Irish pub, and then a few beers with Abi and Ryan Hurley (yet to be nicknamed - perhaps Tom, as in Tom Harley / Hurley)?
I'll upload some pics of Boston when I get organised to do it.
jeffie said...
Hi dad here, just getting used to this blog bit.Hurley? there was a country and western singer,Jade Hurley ,yes he sang two types of music , country... and western, or some would say others put the tree in country Hurley put the first part??????? was a friend of the Barlings , remember the next door neighbors from Corio. Call the man jade
January 28, 2007 2:00 AM
Friday, December 29, 2006
29 December 2006 - LA
Off to Universal Studios today. In hindsight, we didn't get there early enough, and it is a must-do in LA, even if it could be exxy (that short for expensive). Although there were queues for most rides / attractions, the length of which were displayed in minutes all around the park, the queues never actually took as long as these signs said they did. For instance, the line for the first 'ride' we went on (the Studios Tour) was approx 50 minutes when jumped in the queue; 35 mins later, we were on board. The tour took us through numerous sets in the Studios, including Desperate Housewives, Jaws, War of the Worlds, Jurassic Park. It was amazing how production crews could use the most basic sets and turn them into something that appears totally different on scene, whether it was adding numerous items to the scene, adding a background, making the setting appear a lot bigger. Wisteria Lane, in particular, is much bigger on screen than it is in real life.
Other rides of note include the Jurassic Park boat ride, which ends in a free fall, and the Mummy Returns rollercoaster. Both of these rides run through pitch-black buildings, so there's no warnings as to what comes up next. Fair to say, I needed a change of underpants after both.
Outside the park is a mini Las Vegas-esque strip, with bars, restaurants, shops, plenty of neon signs and a lot of people.
Back to the hotel for the last night of our stay.
Off to Universal Studios today. In hindsight, we didn't get there early enough, and it is a must-do in LA, even if it could be exxy (that short for expensive). Although there were queues for most rides / attractions, the length of which were displayed in minutes all around the park, the queues never actually took as long as these signs said they did. For instance, the line for the first 'ride' we went on (the Studios Tour) was approx 50 minutes when jumped in the queue; 35 mins later, we were on board. The tour took us through numerous sets in the Studios, including Desperate Housewives, Jaws, War of the Worlds, Jurassic Park. It was amazing how production crews could use the most basic sets and turn them into something that appears totally different on scene, whether it was adding numerous items to the scene, adding a background, making the setting appear a lot bigger. Wisteria Lane, in particular, is much bigger on screen than it is in real life.
Other rides of note include the Jurassic Park boat ride, which ends in a free fall, and the Mummy Returns rollercoaster. Both of these rides run through pitch-black buildings, so there's no warnings as to what comes up next. Fair to say, I needed a change of underpants after both.
Outside the park is a mini Las Vegas-esque strip, with bars, restaurants, shops, plenty of neon signs and a lot of people.
Back to the hotel for the last night of our stay.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
28 December 2006 - LA
Up fairly early and on a bus for around an our down to Venice Beach. The bus ride was interesting. At one stage, there would have been approximately 50 people on the bus, and myself and Libe were the only caucasian people on it, the rest being Hispanic, black or asian. And the bus driver was amazingly aggressive and cranky. She reminded me of the lady from Seinfeld, Rebecca DeMornay, who walks into Elaine's muffin store and complains that the homeless don't like their muffins without the muffin top.
Venice Beach was pretty quiet, given it was winter. This place felt similar to like what I would expect Mexico to be, including plenty of street vendors (where I was able to rid myself of the need for sunglasses for $8, a good result). We walked up the beach to Santa Monica and its popular pier, which was packed with people. The pier itself includes a large funpark with a number of rides for the kids. It was quite a contrast to Venice Beach, a lot more upmarket. From there, it was a short walk into the suburb of Santa Monica itself and its large shopping district. I much preferred Santa Monica to Venice, although Venice did have its 'quirkiness' attraction (I'll have to quote Lawson on that).
A bus ride back inland was terminated at Rodeo Drive, probably the most expensive shopping district in the world (with some shops requiring customers to be invited into their stores). Fair to say, if Libe's credit card financier had known of where she was, there may have been some nervous moments. After cruising the street and venturing into one or two stores, we settled in for a feed at a very affordable (and nice) restaurant at the corners of Via Rodeo, Rodeo Drive and Wilshire Boulevard
Up fairly early and on a bus for around an our down to Venice Beach. The bus ride was interesting. At one stage, there would have been approximately 50 people on the bus, and myself and Libe were the only caucasian people on it, the rest being Hispanic, black or asian. And the bus driver was amazingly aggressive and cranky. She reminded me of the lady from Seinfeld, Rebecca DeMornay, who walks into Elaine's muffin store and complains that the homeless don't like their muffins without the muffin top.
Venice Beach was pretty quiet, given it was winter. This place felt similar to like what I would expect Mexico to be, including plenty of street vendors (where I was able to rid myself of the need for sunglasses for $8, a good result). We walked up the beach to Santa Monica and its popular pier, which was packed with people. The pier itself includes a large funpark with a number of rides for the kids. It was quite a contrast to Venice Beach, a lot more upmarket. From there, it was a short walk into the suburb of Santa Monica itself and its large shopping district. I much preferred Santa Monica to Venice, although Venice did have its 'quirkiness' attraction (I'll have to quote Lawson on that).
A bus ride back inland was terminated at Rodeo Drive, probably the most expensive shopping district in the world (with some shops requiring customers to be invited into their stores). Fair to say, if Libe's credit card financier had known of where she was, there may have been some nervous moments. After cruising the street and venturing into one or two stores, we settled in for a feed at a very affordable (and nice) restaurant at the corners of Via Rodeo, Rodeo Drive and Wilshire Boulevard
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Week 1
Given I haven't been in touch with anyone yet, and I'm sure Mum and Dad would be bursting to know what we've seen and done, I thought I'd put this together as a diary of our ventures.
27 December 2006 - in transit
A long day. The 14 hour flight from Sydney to LA felt like 28 hours. As expected, I got less shuteye than the English cricket fans have had moments to rejoice in the Ashes (apart from when SKW and Pigeon retired). At least Libe got a few minutes, and at least they had Kenny on to entertain me. What a cracking Aussie. What a cracking way to leave oz - if that feel made me anymore glad to be an Aussie, I would have stormed into the cockpit and asked Captain Ponting to turn the plane around.
I was later to discover that despite the massive queues at Melbourne Airport due to the luggage conveyor belt breaking down, this was to be the best organised airport I would set foot in for a while.
27 December 2006 #2 - LA
Landed in LA at sparrows fart (which in the Oxford Dictionery is now defined as 'bloody early', or 7am). Despite the warnings that clearing Immigration & Customs upon arrival in the US was to be as uncomfortable as sandpaper undies, it was about as painless as bowling to an English tailender. It was standing in a queue, a walk to a Immigration Counter, responding 'business' when asked why we were there by the officer, and saying 'thanks' when he handed our passport back. 'Customs' was easy too - simply involved showing our passports to another officer, no baggage inspections or questions asked. Which was lucky, given the 100 cane toads I've carried over in my bags and have since released into the Californian wild.
The one hiccup arose in the form of one of Libe's bags failing to make the trip, which would subsequently arrive at our Hollywood Hostel the following day.
The scene upon walking out of LA Airport
My first thoughts, upon seeing the destination of that van in the picture above, and the big sign below, was: Jeez, I knew Laxy's email list was big, but not this big...
The streets of LA on the way to Hollywood, and clearly the inspiration for a certain Simpson's Halloween episode.
Sunset Boulevard... nearly as famous as Coolaroo Crescent (I know Caitlin will agree)
27 December 2006 - in transit
A long day. The 14 hour flight from Sydney to LA felt like 28 hours. As expected, I got less shuteye than the English cricket fans have had moments to rejoice in the Ashes (apart from when SKW and Pigeon retired). At least Libe got a few minutes, and at least they had Kenny on to entertain me. What a cracking Aussie. What a cracking way to leave oz - if that feel made me anymore glad to be an Aussie, I would have stormed into the cockpit and asked Captain Ponting to turn the plane around.
I was later to discover that despite the massive queues at Melbourne Airport due to the luggage conveyor belt breaking down, this was to be the best organised airport I would set foot in for a while.
27 December 2006 #2 - LA
Landed in LA at sparrows fart (which in the Oxford Dictionery is now defined as 'bloody early', or 7am). Despite the warnings that clearing Immigration & Customs upon arrival in the US was to be as uncomfortable as sandpaper undies, it was about as painless as bowling to an English tailender. It was standing in a queue, a walk to a Immigration Counter, responding 'business' when asked why we were there by the officer, and saying 'thanks' when he handed our passport back. 'Customs' was easy too - simply involved showing our passports to another officer, no baggage inspections or questions asked. Which was lucky, given the 100 cane toads I've carried over in my bags and have since released into the Californian wild.
The one hiccup arose in the form of one of Libe's bags failing to make the trip, which would subsequently arrive at our Hollywood Hostel the following day.
The scene upon walking out of LA AirportMy first thoughts, upon seeing the destination of that van in the picture above, and the big sign below, was: Jeez, I knew Laxy's email list was big, but not this big...
Just outside LA Airport
The streets of LA on the way to Hollywood, and clearly the inspiration for a certain Simpson's Halloween episode. 
Hollywood boulevard
The rest of the day was a battle, which resulted in us collapsing tired at 7pm and sleeping for 14 hours straight, clearly a record for me. In between, we managed to browse through Hollywood (which is overrated if you ask me), and do a tour of the celebrity suburbs of Beverly Hills and Bel-Air (which was significantly better). Our hostel was just off Hollywood Boulevard in Orange Drive, literally 200m from where the Oscars are held and the Walk of Fame (with the stars in the footpath) is located. The hostel's facilities were very basic, but location was the key. But apart from 1 block, the rest of Hollywood is dirty, rundown, uninteresting and a little intimidating.
The houses in the celeb 'burbs are just different - like comparing Footscray to Toorak. Such a tour is a must-do in LA. Its just one big name (or knob) living next to one big name (or knob). Although I could argue that this is a real 'Castle'...
I was actually surprised at how many celebrities live in this neighbourhood... surely it makes life easy for the paparazzi? Among the big names were your Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, Harrison Ford, Mel Gibson, Tom Hanks, Madonna, Hugh Jazz, Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy, I.P. Freely, Jack Nicholson, Julia Roberts, Rod Stewart, John Travolta...
One of the celebrities' homes
One of the celebrities' homes Sunset Boulevard... nearly as famous as Coolaroo Crescent (I know Caitlin will agree)
Another celebrity home
Another celebrity home
Mann's Chinese Theatre
After a feed at the Pig N Whistle, we hit the pillows at 7pm.
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