Los Angeles - The Last Port of Call

Like all good things, Texas (and the South -border-senoritas) came to an end and so, on the 20th I packed my bag for the second last time to catch my flight to LA.

I spent my first couple of days in California at a hostel located just off the famous Hollywood Boulevard. For those couple of days, I spent my time walking around Hollywood, catching buses through downtown and visiting nearbye beaches such as Santa Monica. I guess it was kinda cool to see some of the stuff you see in the movies like the Hollywood sign, the boulevard and those freaks dressed up as batman and spiderman outside the 'Chinese Theatre' but if I had to stay in Hollywood for any longer than I did, I would probably have topped myself. Something about the whole area (especially Hollywood boulevard) gave off scents of pretentiousness and false hope. I couldn't start to imagine how many people have flocked to the city with a promise of an acting career but have come out with a street job dressing up as batman, harassing tourists.

I think I made the right move my getting out of there and heading to an area on the coast called Venice beach. I found a really cruisy hostel there with big comfortable couches and an included pancake breakfast. As soon as I saw the place I knew that the last days of my big adventure would be best spent here, falling asleep under palm trees during the day and watching the sunset from Santa Monica Pier in the evening. So that's exactly what I did.

Here I am now, sitting on a computer in Melbourne reflecting on the last days of what was the most significant thing I've done in this life. There's no promises that the blog you're reading now will see much activity for a while but what I can promise you is that the next chapter of my life here in Melbourne will be geared towards setting myself up for a life where I'll have the opportunity to write another one of these things titled "Matt's Second Biggest Trip".

Having seen some of the most beautiful places in the world, I've already got a couple of ideas for life after what I hope to be a successful career.

Something about a boat with sails, representing what I've earned for myself in my passed life, cruising through Santorini's caldera, watching the sun sink into the ocean particularly appeals to me. When I stand on the deck of my boat in that magic place of the world, I'll know I've made it all worth it.