The Streets of San Francisco
Well its taken a while to get here but I am finally in North America, and I must say it is a pleasant surprise. My final days in London were fairly uneventful, I didn't do alot except hang out with friends and watch Indian films (my favourite pastime). I did manage to see the latest devatating Ken Loach film, which pretty much leaves you winded. Its called Sweet Sixteen and I highly recommend it if it comes to Australia. My love of Bollywood films made for an interesting security check at Heathrow airport. As you could imagine going into the US means going through some very stingent security checks (including taking off my smelly shoes) and when it came to searching my bag I go some funny looks from the officers as they kept pulling out bollywood partifalia. Stardust magazine, a less sophisticated version of Who magazine with all the goss related to all my favourite stars, including SRK, a soundtrack to the latest blockbuster Laagan and a book about Pakistan. The officer then asked my if I watch these films, and when I said yes, we launched into a very funny converstation about what films are hot at the moment and who is the best actor. My favourite is Aamir Khan and I was told he is yesterday's hero. Strange that I am always a few years behind! However they let me through no dramas and continued to look at me strangely.
I was nervous about coming to America but in hindsight there was no need to be. My friends RHonda and Jerry live in Redwood City, about an hour out of San Francisco, in the heart of suburbia, but close to the forests. I love the city itself, its everything you imagine it to be, hills and cable cars. The Golden Gate bridge is very golden when you get to see it as it is constantly shrouded in fog, and the island prison of Alcatraz sits in the harbour, like a ghost. We are going to the prison on Saturday and we are looking forward to it.
We went to the beach side town of Santa Cruz last weekend, where the 80's film the Lost Boys was shot (Rhonda and I were huge fans of this film about vampires). The boardwalk hosts a wide range of fun fair rides and activities and the tackiness was not lost on us. We rode the Ghost Train, which was very tame and lots of fun. Then it was someones silly idea (mine I think) to ride the oldest wooden rollar coaster in the world. It looked kind of tame, I thought I could handle it. How wrong was I! I think it was the scariest 5 minutes of my life and if I could have gotten off I would have. I screamed so hard I almost lost my voice and I couldn't even enjoy the coastal view. Still the adenline rush was huge and although I won't ever do it again, I'm glad I didn't pike at the last minute. Santa Cruz also plays host to the Mystery Spot, some strange phenomon where gravity is reversed. We tried to find it but the mystery spot was so mysterious it took us a long time to get there and then it was closed. Not to worry, it was a nice drive.
On Sunday Rhonda and I went to the Mall for some shopping. Not very exciting but a very American thing to do. This country is a living stereotype but thats kind of cool, especially when you think of all those Seinfield episodes and John Hughes movies watched. I feel like I am reliving the 80's again. Not to mention the fact that its wartime over here and there are open displays of patriotism gone mad. How many flags do you think you need to show you are American, I think a minimum of 3 would surfice, 3 on one house that is. Its also coming up to Halloween and there are alot of stuff you can buy for that, I would love to be a children's librarian here, so much fun to be had.
Rhonda tells me that Australian's are considered as exotic over here and that Kylie is seen as the most exotic name there is. This country is very strange indeed.
Next week I am off to Yosemite for 3 days of hiking and nature, before heading off to Canada. The news of the bombing in Bali came as a huge shock, as it was for everyone, but war isn't the answer. The state of the world has certainly changed and I can only hope for peace.
Well its taken a while to get here but I am finally in North America, and I must say it is a pleasant surprise. My final days in London were fairly uneventful, I didn't do alot except hang out with friends and watch Indian films (my favourite pastime). I did manage to see the latest devatating Ken Loach film, which pretty much leaves you winded. Its called Sweet Sixteen and I highly recommend it if it comes to Australia. My love of Bollywood films made for an interesting security check at Heathrow airport. As you could imagine going into the US means going through some very stingent security checks (including taking off my smelly shoes) and when it came to searching my bag I go some funny looks from the officers as they kept pulling out bollywood partifalia. Stardust magazine, a less sophisticated version of Who magazine with all the goss related to all my favourite stars, including SRK, a soundtrack to the latest blockbuster Laagan and a book about Pakistan. The officer then asked my if I watch these films, and when I said yes, we launched into a very funny converstation about what films are hot at the moment and who is the best actor. My favourite is Aamir Khan and I was told he is yesterday's hero. Strange that I am always a few years behind! However they let me through no dramas and continued to look at me strangely.
I was nervous about coming to America but in hindsight there was no need to be. My friends RHonda and Jerry live in Redwood City, about an hour out of San Francisco, in the heart of suburbia, but close to the forests. I love the city itself, its everything you imagine it to be, hills and cable cars. The Golden Gate bridge is very golden when you get to see it as it is constantly shrouded in fog, and the island prison of Alcatraz sits in the harbour, like a ghost. We are going to the prison on Saturday and we are looking forward to it.
We went to the beach side town of Santa Cruz last weekend, where the 80's film the Lost Boys was shot (Rhonda and I were huge fans of this film about vampires). The boardwalk hosts a wide range of fun fair rides and activities and the tackiness was not lost on us. We rode the Ghost Train, which was very tame and lots of fun. Then it was someones silly idea (mine I think) to ride the oldest wooden rollar coaster in the world. It looked kind of tame, I thought I could handle it. How wrong was I! I think it was the scariest 5 minutes of my life and if I could have gotten off I would have. I screamed so hard I almost lost my voice and I couldn't even enjoy the coastal view. Still the adenline rush was huge and although I won't ever do it again, I'm glad I didn't pike at the last minute. Santa Cruz also plays host to the Mystery Spot, some strange phenomon where gravity is reversed. We tried to find it but the mystery spot was so mysterious it took us a long time to get there and then it was closed. Not to worry, it was a nice drive.
On Sunday Rhonda and I went to the Mall for some shopping. Not very exciting but a very American thing to do. This country is a living stereotype but thats kind of cool, especially when you think of all those Seinfield episodes and John Hughes movies watched. I feel like I am reliving the 80's again. Not to mention the fact that its wartime over here and there are open displays of patriotism gone mad. How many flags do you think you need to show you are American, I think a minimum of 3 would surfice, 3 on one house that is. Its also coming up to Halloween and there are alot of stuff you can buy for that, I would love to be a children's librarian here, so much fun to be had.
Rhonda tells me that Australian's are considered as exotic over here and that Kylie is seen as the most exotic name there is. This country is very strange indeed.
Next week I am off to Yosemite for 3 days of hiking and nature, before heading off to Canada. The news of the bombing in Bali came as a huge shock, as it was for everyone, but war isn't the answer. The state of the world has certainly changed and I can only hope for peace.
posted by Paula at
3:58 PM
