No Knott's

Hello all,

I got up and left my hotel today and got an uber to Knott's Berry Farm. Annoyingly, my driver dropped me at the back entrance, so I had to traipse in the pouring rain with my suitcase and backpack around the perimeter of the park. When I got to the main entrance, no one was around. I called out and a lady appeared who told me that the park was closed for the day due to inclement weather. Which is understandable, but why did they not put this on their website?! Luckily for me they refunded my ticket and refunded a few families who arrived as well.

In the end it was a blessing in disguise, because once I got in my uber the rain became so heavy that visibility was terrible. My driver was Cathy who was a lovely (but very chatty, about 10 times more than me!!) 64 year old woman who only started with über a few days ago. She used to work at Disneyland and we (mostly her!) chatted for the entire hour and a bit to Santa Monica. By the time we arrived the wind and rain were so bad that we both had trouble opening the doors of her car. The gutters were overflowing! They really need this rain here though, they've been in a pretty bad drought of late. 

I arrived at my hostel but couldn't check in so walked to Chipotle and had some lunch, then went and bought a movie ticket at the nearby theatre. The rain subsided a tiny bit, enough that I was able to walk around without fear of being saturated once again. So I walked a little while along the beach. Grey ominous clouds loomed above Malibu in the distance so I knew it would rain again soon, but in the mean time I had a very quick look at the pier and down on the beach. I recognised an area that we walked when I was a kid, but didn't take many photos today as tomorrow is meant to be sunny and beautiful and I plan on walking it properly then. There were massive puddles in the car parks and ducks were swimming in them!!

On the way back I had a look in Bloomingdale's, but everything was sooooo expensive! I'm going to have a look in some shops in my price range tomorrow. 

I came back to the hostel and checked in, then headed out to the local supermarket. You know you've been in America a while when a proper fruit and vegetable section excited you nearly as much as the rides at Disneyland. I can't wait to have some decent fruit and veg once I get home. 

Next up I headed to the movies. I saw the kids movie 'Sing' which was pretty seats were recliners so it was very relaxing. My back and hips have been pretty sore of late so I suppose this was a better alternative for those than roller coasters anyway. 

Now I'm in my room. I'm sharing a dorm with four other people from Melbourne. We've all had a bit of a chat about how we can't believe what happened in Bourke Street yesterday. Three of them and me are flying home within an hour of each other tomorrow evening so I think I'm getting a cab with them to the airport. I might be going to a bar with them this evening but can't decide. I think I'm the worst excuse for a 24 year old around. I would so much rather sit in bed and watch Netflix than head out to a bar this evening. But I probably should go as it's my last night. We shall see!!!

I'll post again tomorrow after my day in Santa Monica and before I head to the airport. 

Love to all

Claire

Xoxox