It all started with a year of hopes, a letter and a few new faces.
The trip of our young lives has begun.
Los Angeles - Day 1
Nell, Jake and I – We worked out a plan on the plane. Whoever was still awake on our 12 hour flight, had to tell the air stewardess to leave the food on all our trays.
After several meals, ice cream, movies, and a time travel trip back 17 hours, we touched down with barely any sleep from the excitement of it all.
We arrived early at our Airbnb (See below for a AUD$35 off promo code!) accommodation in downtown LA, so we headed to the local Starbucks around the corner and ordered a drink. Incidentally, because of a brilliant plan the night before to stay up packing so that we could feel tired and sleep on the plane, I probably had not slept in 30 hours. My hands were shaking around my iced tea, and the moment we stepped in our apartment, I basically crashed.
When we’ve recuperated, we set about exploring the city. Being summer, the sun gave us plenty of time to do just that. Someone once told me that LA was full of the most superficial people with fake tans. But repressing any judgement, there was a distinct smell of pee in the air, and the streets were certainly full of joggers walking their dogs.
Between bistros, wide streets and art in random places, we spotted a neon-flashing arrow that has always reminded me of a 1950’s drive-in restaurant carhop waitress on roller skates. Here, we finally settled down at D-town Burger bar for lunch with a burger, fries and a shake. Mind you, one thing I’ve learnt about America is that: A shake is not equivalent of a milkshake as we know it. Appropriately missing the word ‘milk’ in front of it, they were more like ice-cream shakes (i.e. melted ice cream) than a drink.
Experiencing LA was definitely an eye-opener.
For dinner, we headed to Daikokuya at Little Toyko, where we met up with Alanie – another comrade on our not-so-little adventure. The queue (or said in American: ‘line’) was long. But the wait was worth it. The atmosphere of the tightly squeezed restaurant, the posters on the wall and that steaming hot bowl of tonkotsu ramen. For awhile, I felt like I was back in Japan.
We arrived back exhausted, but still took the elevator to the rooftop to admire the night view. And I’m glad we did.
Goodnight, LA.
* For all my readers: Airbnb promo code (AUD$35 off!) Click here to sign up and get AUD$35 off your first trip!
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This was a very nice read. You definitely had a great time with your friends. I love the quality of your pictures.
Happy new year dear.
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I planned to travel to LA next year! This helps 🙂
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Your photos are amazing. Can’t wait to read part 2 and 3 of your LA trip.
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Glad you’re having a blast over here!! I look forward to more of your really cool shots!
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Too kind! Thanks for visiting and I hope to see you around too! 🙂
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I know a lot of people complain about airplane food but i secretly love the long flights with meals and movi3s! Usually i too am too excited to sleep. Your pictures look amazing. Looking forward to more!
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I know! Time can actually pass really fast with lots of food and movies hehe. It’s like room service with netflix, minus the comfort of a bed. Thanks Chika! And looking forward to yours too / talking to you soon!
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So much fun! I still have never been to LA. Hopefully one day soon. But I’m also hoping to get to Australia next year, my next big trip! 😀
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Hopefully one day! If you ever need recommendations in Australia, let me know! I’ve lived in Sydney and Brisbane / Gold Coast, but Melbourne’s my favourite city. Check out townske.com for local guides 🙂 I’ve got an account there too! http://www.townske.com/heytheredreamer
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