Day 6: 11 March - First day in L.A.

My first day in Los Angeles!! I was so excited, but also incredibly exhausted! The flight was about 5 hours long and I got maybe half an hour of terrible sleep. I thought I would be able to sleep, but it was next to impossible in the cramped little seat. We touched down at LAX at about 5am (2am Hawaiian time, and 10.30pm Adelaide time). Jet lag had finally hit me like a brick wall that day. LAX thankfully, was very easy to get through. The horror stories that I had heard had me expecting the worst; that I would get lost on the way to baggage claim, and not be able to find the shuttle, or my way out. I got out at my gate, went down one flight of stairs and got straight to the baggage claim. While waiting briefly for my bag, the shuttle rep managed to find me and direct me to the pick up point. Things were looking up! And in my state of insomnia, it was a very good thing!

Things headed south when I got to the hostel though. Everything went way too smoothly at the airport and I arrived there at 6am. I had expected to be too early for check-in, but I was at least hoping for the sun to have risen! The security guard was very nice and kept my luggage safe while I relaxed in the common/computer room of the hostel. Eventually, I passed out on the couch for a good couple of hours! It was about 11am by the time I had come to and decided that I needed to get up and moving so I didn't pass out again. I tried again to check-in when the man said that the room was still not ready for me..come back at 2pm. Ugh!

I decided to have a wonder around down Hollywood Boulevard, just so that I didn't continue to nap on the couch. Where I'm staying is a good 15-20 minute walk down the road from the main part of Hollywood Blvd. It was surreal to actually get to see the walk of fame and read all the stars! On my walk I managed to find myself in a walk of fame ceremony for Jim Parsons; Sheldon from the Big Bang Theory. That was really cool, and I was happy to get a picture of it considering the crowd!

Jim Parsons' Walk of Fame ceremony

I got to walk through the Hard Rock Cafe and Museum, and see the famous spots I'd only ever heard about! I explored the Dolby Theatre, where they hold the Academy Awards. It was a really nice, open-planned building, with an awesome view of the Hollywood sign and some really nice shops - I managed to spoil myself a bit there.

Then it was on to the Chinese Theatre! It was so packed. There are so many people there constantly. Apart from the tourists and locals, there are countless people handing out flyers for their tour company; people handing out CDs and asking for donations in exchange; way too many homeless people; and there are the annoying costume people! The annoying costume people, as friendly as they seem, are there to convince you to have a picture with them, then ask for a tip for it. It's infuriating, and yes, it happened to me, with Zorro of all characters! I hate Zorro! I quickly learnt that lesson and pretending to be intently reading the walk of fame stars every time one came within my vicinity. Some of them did look pretty cool though.

Back to the Chinese Theatre, it's a beautiful big building, and out the front, the hand and footprints of many celebrities are set in the concrete. I found the Harry Potter cast's prints, stood in their footprints and was stupidly happy about it! I also found Jennifer Aniston's, and then I was done. Just next to the Chinese Theatre was a big piano stair case, which loudly played as you walked up it! I then became a big kid and did my daily exercise on up and down those steps.

Hollywood sign from the Dolby Theatre

Chinese Theatre

Harry Potter cast prints!

Piano Staircase

My walk had managed to kill a few hours and I went back to check in to my room. When I got in there, I made friends with an English guy named Jonathon. After talking for a bit, I convinced him to join me for Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum - when in L.A.! This was great fun! The figures looked amazing and most of them were so life like! I was also sure to bring along Mitchy..

After the wax museum, we went back to the hostel for free tacos, beer and karaoke. This was a huge highlight of my trip so far! I wish I had pictures or videos of the night! Everyone managed to get very drunk and almost everyone sang something! Mainly though, we were all dancing in a big group singing all the songs together - the people here are so relaxed and lovely.