Successful touchdown in US

Arrived safely in the big tourist 'town' Los Angeles last friday! Actually arrived 2 hours after I left! That's ignoring the 18 hours of flying, swapping three times (Adel to Melbourne to Aukland to LA). Culture shock comprised really of the fact that much looked familiar but often wasn't what it seemed... International hostel in Santa Monica was great - right next to the beach and shopping etc. Sleeping off jetlag in a dorm with 6 beds isn't recommended but it was a snow free start to the American Adventure. Did the required Hollywood walk of fame and Universal Studios tour the next day - also not recommended for overcoming jetlag! But hooked up with this Kiwi Uni student Bronwyn who dragged me onto the Mummy ride 3 x!!! She is off to study in San Diago for 8 months.
Considering you all had New Year's Eve without me I was able to be better prepared (we are a day behind you!). Didn't help much and I slept through it all sorry... Hope you all had WONDERFUL evenings.
First reflections on America? Crowds! Lining up all the time (might just be at airports!?!), Opportunities & Opportune, People! Evidently LA has 23 million tourist a year - thats more than the TOTAL population of Oz! Wanna see the homeless? Just do an early morning walk along the beach in LA.
People are great; when they can understand me! Really helpful and really friendly and really interested in Aussies. Understanding them can be fun too. This poor lady on the phone was saying 'coast road' and I could NOT understand the word 'coast' - she had to spell it out. And on the airport PA the loud speaker kept saying 'The US TSA have looted the items now allowed on flights' I asked a local what looted meant only to find out he was saying 'limited'.
Getting used to the cars being on the opposite side of the road - old habits die hard, so crossing the road requires a little more thought. Moving to the right not the left when walking past people on the footpath has made things easier too. What does that do to our brains? mmmm
Well must go as this is the last 20 minute session I have on the Denver Library computer - people everywhere!!! Mostly the spanish speaking community. Next episode: Niccy
does Denver!