Hey All

 

Im now in the Good old USof A.  Arriverd here last Thursday. Last day in Fiji, just went to the beach, chilled by the bar in the evening. Met up with a few people who where on my tour of the coral coast, we are sitting in the bar of the Nadi Bay Hotel. I spot this guy, It was Todd from neighbours all those years ago. At the airport, everone was queuing outside, as soon as you went in the building, they where searching your hand baggage, by hand on tables. I was like shit, quickly searched my bag, making sure it was all in order. Get it searched, they they point at my backpack, they wanted to search that. I was like, this bag. Neways, thankfully I wasn't arrested. Flight was delayed by an hour, then had the worst turbulance ever, kept thinking, where can we land - the sea was the only option. Movies were crap, so just slept most of the way. Arrived in LA, it was pretty weird arriving in LA before I left Fiji, due to crossing the date line, and having the same day twice. US immigration was fine, I was expecting a lot, just got where Id been and how long im here for.

 

Headed to the hostel, decided on the USA Hostels in Hollywodd. Its just off Hollywood Boluevard, can't get any more central than that. Thursday night went and checked out Hollywood Blvd, and the walk of fame. Also went to Changs Chinese Theatre, and the Kodak Theatre, where the Oscars are held. All very impressive.

 

Friday morning, decided to do a walking tour of LA. Dan and Chris who I met on the plane where doing it as well as another guy Liam. There was also this dizzy blonde girl, who gasped at the slightest mention of somone famous. Passed such places as the places where Hugh Grant got busted, the infamous clubs of the Viper Room, the Wiskeyagogo and the George Micheal toilet. Headed to Beverly Hills for a walk around the street where the stars live. Houses cost $20-90m. Walked past Stevie Wonders house, Marylin Munroe's, Frank Sinatra's, Elvis' and the Playboy Mansion - they wouldn't lets us in, but we did chat to Hugh Hefners bodyguard. After the tour finished our guide left us in Beverly Hills. Went for some lunch. Then went shopping on Rodeo Drive, went into a few stores. Popped into Tiffanys, some of the jewellery upstarirs was pretty cheap, downstairs, was $$$$$$$$$. Popped into the Whilshire Hotel, this is the most expensive hotel in LA, we got a pic with the door man. Wandered back up Rodeo Drive, and on to Canon Drive to get the bus. 

 

The 4 of us are sitting at the bus stop whish is directing in line with the traffic lights. This black porsche pulls up at the red lights, in line with me, this girl with blonde hair, turns and looks out the window. I gasped and pointed at her, she pointed back at me, "your famous, its Renee Zellwerger"  A cop on a motorbike, pulls up on the other side of her she chats to him. I asked if she minded if we took a quick pick. Don't think shes seen 4 camera produced so fast. She was absolutley stunning, very shy as well. Lights go grees, she waves to the cop, turns to the 4 of us, blows us a kiss waves, and drives off. We were all so starstruck, don't think a bigger smile has ever crossed my face.

 

Then our bus turs up, the driver says, its on the other side. This gold mercedes is coming down the road, with a blonde woam driving. Im thinking its Gwenth Paltrom, Dan thought it was Nicole Kidman, gets closer, Its Lisa Kudrow, we are jumping up and down pointing, as she drives past she is lookinga t us in her mirror laughing.  

 

We head back to Hollywood, had some dinner. Then headed along Sunset to the Whsikeyagogo. They let us in, but the cover charge was a bit steep. Was really good though, very intimate palce, lots of up and coming bands playing. Few people where chatting to us, impressed about our Renne Story. Stayed at the Whiskey til around 1am. Then headed to Frankie and Johnny's New York Pizza. The pizza was amazing, and the beer really cheap. All the famous people who had been there have signed the wall.

 

Saturday we headed to Santa Monica, after 2 hours on the bus got there. Decided to walk along the beach to Venice Beach. Spotted quite a few of the lifeguard huts as used on Baywatch, it had to be done, all got a pic doing our David Hasslehoff imperrsination.

 

At Venice Beach, checked out a few basketball games and Venice Beach. Sat night decided to head to the Viper Room. Thought they weren't going to let us in, cause we had cameras, no pics allowed, thankfully they did. We all lapped up palying the "im so famous' anytime anyone looked at us, we look away. We convivnced quite a few people we were actors. Had quite a few beers in the Viper, then Liam, suggested we down a shot of '151'. Id never heard of 151 Rum, so was up for it. The bar man gave us a double shot. 151 is 151% alcohol. As soon as you drink it, you feel hungover, it burns your insides for about 2 mins. Was well worth it tho. Don't know what time we left there, but managed to lose the other 3, the 151 was a bad idea. Walked all the way back to Hollywood and crashed.

 

Up early on Sunday headed to Vegas - big, bright, trasy, takorama America. Saw teh MGm Grand and all that. Din't win anything. NExt sat on a bus for 2 days and headed to Chicago. Which is where I am now, waitng for another bus, to take me to New York. Always wanted to go there, can't wait.

 

Last time I wrote to you I was in the Windy City of Chicago, it was freezing. I didn't have enough money to use my ticket to Toronto, probably a good thing anyway due to SARS. So headed straight to New York. Arrived there last Wednesday. The place is unbelievable, big bright and brashy. The people are so individual. Headed to my accomodation, a nice place just north of Greenwich Village, 2 blocks from Central Park.

 

On Wednesday headed out and explored New York. Checked out Central Park, took a walk to lower Manhattan and the East Village, think I caught a glimpse of Madonna at Virgin Records. Went for a ride on the subway, only way to get around the city, its huge. Wed night, went to Times Square, place is pretty impressive, loads of street stalls and entertainers. Quite suprised at how many police where on the streets, and soldiers with guns in the subway.

 

Thursday got up early, went to have a look at Soho, interesting place. Walked through Central Park to 5th Avenue. Took a look inside the Plaza and FAO Schwartz. Walked up to St Patrick's Cathedral and the Rockefreller Center, gutted the ice rink wasn't open. Went to the Empire State Building. After 2 hours in a queue, managed to get to the top, the view was well worth it. Went to Battery Park, checked out the Statue of Liberty. Walked to Ground Zero, pretty shocking seeing it up close. Thursday night, drunk the night away in Times Square.

 

Friday was my last day in New York, didn't do much, just did as everyone does in Greenwich Village, sat around drinking, coffee, doing nothing. Then sat in the sun in Central Park for a bit. Headed to the aiprort to catch my flight to London. Was feeling nervous, but a bit excited about going home. Didn't sleep at all on the flight.

 

Arrived in London at just after 9am on Saturday morning. My flight to Glasgow was at 3.30pm, so I go to leave the airport, with just my small backpack. A guy from customs stops me, asks if thats the only bag I had, I explain as I head for the exit. He asks me to step to the side, and if I know its illegal to bring drugs and firearms into the UK. Searches my bag, I show him my tickets and baggage slips. After inspecting all the contents of my bag and a million questions, I was allowed to leave. Never got hastle like that anywhere before.

 

After leaving the airport, headed into London. Went on one of those open-air bus tours. Was only supposed to last an hour, but at every attraction, had to get off and change buses for some reason. Saw all the toursity sites though. Was freezing sitting on that bus, only about 10c. After that, headed back to the airport.

 

Checked in and all, sitting in the departure lounge, it suddenly hit me, I was going home. Got on the plane, did not want to be on there, was thinking my life was going to some how end when we touched down. So after just under 15 months on the road, I arrived back in Glasgow on Sat afternoon. The place is still the same, grey skies, raining, and bloody freezing. Got a taxi and headed 'home'. No one knew I was coming. Turned up and chapped the front door, was so nervous for some reason. My dad opened it, stared at me for about 5 seconds, before I burst out laughing. He was trying to figure out who it was. My sister and brother came running to the door. The look the same but differet. My mum and Dad just look older.

 

So been back 6 days now, and already its majorly pissing me off. Feel like I don't belong here, I've changed but nothing here has. Also the weather and peoples accents are taking a bit to get used to again.

 

So, what now. Well ive decided to get a good job, buy a house, get married and have some kids. Yeah right. I'm leaving as soon as possible. Don't have any money to go anywhere fast, but only plan to stay here for 3 months working my ass off, start work next wednesday. During the summer I'm going ot move to London, get a job with a company that will hopefully be able to send me to various locations all over the world. Don't know how easy it will be to get accomodation and job in London, but if I can do it at the other side of the world im sure ill manage. Coming back here as made me realise, I definalty don't want to be here, so im looking forward to leaving. They say coming back, is worst than going away - I can tell you it is.

 

Well this is now the end of the road, the last 14 months have been absolutley amazing, experienced so many things, been to so many great places, met so many great people. Everyone I've met along the way has been great, but there's a few ill give a mention to:

 

Sam, Lisa and Kev, Thailand was amazing, really wish we had stayed longer

Anna - jeez at least you liked Perth, good luck with the exams
Julie, why did we go to Perth, Cairns and Sydney where far better, good luck with the nursing
All the people from the Ayres Rock trip, that was amazing, gutted we couldn't climb it.

Vince, Dean wasn't Airlie Beach just the best palce.
People from Sydney, Maheeb, you ever getting married. Shaun, hope it all goes well!, Mustafa, that was a great night - dont remember much, soz missed u in London.
David, who was that Diane girl. Wasn't impressed with my b/d preezie, luckily ive sorted myself out a few times since then! Enjoy S.Africa

All the people I worked with at Atlantis, Institute of Tech, Bureau of Stats, those jobs were so boring, but they certainly paid, and we had a good laugh.

All the IGA crew, Rob, Cairns was wicked, dont remember much, too drunk, pretty wierd I ended up with your old job

Linda, that palce was hell, you got out just in time.
Andrew, What are you doing? it was good (no I aint lying) good luck to you and Suzie, c u soon - not 5yrs
Luke, man, sorry for draging you back there, it was fun (sometimes) at least I got us a payrise, and the 'breaks' certainly helped. Soz missed u in Candia, c u in OZ soon

All my flatmates in Sydney, Richard, why did we move to that place, guess it was cheap, enjoy India. Julia, we where in Melb. All the Dutch guys - Ronald, David, Deborah - allez goed.Luci, well, what can i say, we had a great laugh, see you soon. Rich and Abbie, how r u guys, weren't those girls the 2 most boring people ever!

New Zealand - Serena and Kate, you too made me laugh so much. Serena, you found a husband yet. Kate - don't get stuck!

Fiji. Kate and Matthew, it was paradise, do any of you know why we drank all that Kava

LA - Dan, Chris, Liam. Those 2 days where amazing, Beverly Hills Mansions, lunch in Bev. Rodeo Drive, the Whiltshire, The Whiskey, Santa Monica, The Viper Room - 151, what happened next, and to top it all off we met Renne Zellwerger, c u guys soon. 

 

Alright I'll get off the stage now.

 

Everyone I met along the way, keep in touch and we should met up at some point.

 

Good Luck to you all, the adventures only just begun!