Last Day- Hollywood Adventure

We don't seem to have many photos of this day.

Most of the sad goodbyes out of the way the evening before over beers in Butch and Babes backyard. Those goodbyes are hard work.  Denver turned on another perfect summer evening; the sky was the same shade of blue and orange as the Broncos' guernseys.

4 a.m. wake-up call for the trip to D.I.A. for the flight back to L.A. Long wait to get through security; empty pockets, shoes off (the girls of course are wearing ankle high double laced converse), unpack computer bags, re-pack-and-shoe, and on to Dr Who-esque shuttle train to departure gates, seemingly miles away. Saw the Grand Canyon again from the plane. 3 hours later we are in L.A. with a 12 hour wait for our flight home. What to do in this situation? Get a hotel room for $50, leave the luggage there and jump on the Metro (city train network) and head for those Hollywood hills.

The trip took us through some parts of L.A. that we would not otherwise have gone to in a million years; a unique cultural experience. I hoped the train would not break down and that it had bullet-proof windows.

For me the train trip, not Hollywood, was the highlight of the day. Our fellow travellers, realising we were not locals, (was it our funny accents or the fact that we were the only ones who were not African Americans?) could not do enough to help us. We had to change trains 3 times each way, and anyone who saw us looking confusedly at our map came immediately to our aid with directions, One bloke missed his own train to help us. One of the highlights of the whole trip for me was when an old white-haired black bloke, who had earlier found seats for the girls, put his hand on my shoulder and said, sincerely, " I hope you and your family have a wonderful time while you are here". We did, mate, we did.

Of couse another highlight was the diverse array of pan-handlers on the train. My favourite was the one who raved incomprehensively, and alternately removed and replaced his glass eye to plead his case. I wish I had given him my pocketful of coins instead of the one who walked onto the train with a folded wheelchair under his arm, unfolded and sat in it, and began to ply his trade.

Only a couple of pics to show; its wasn't as tinselly as it looks on TV

There were a lot of no-names on the walk of stars but we saw a few gems. My biggest regret was that I saw Edward Everet Horten but Kris was miles ahead with the camera.

and so to the airport and goodbye to the US for now; can't wait for next time.

But there was one last highlight to come: at LA airport I bought a beer..... and was asked to provide, along with about $8.00,  photo evidence to proove that I was over 21..