Thursday April 16: Beverly Hills and Santa Monica

Today was a leisurely day. We started off with breakfast followed by some lounging by the pool trying to decide what to do with ourselves now that we've done everything we'd planned. Eventually, we settled on checking out the Farmer's Market that we'd spotted in a brochure. It was an uneventful drive up to West Hollywood where the market is located, mostly due to some ace navigating by yours truly.

At first I was very disappointed in the Market. Not a fruit or vegetable to be seen, just a walking boulevard lined by designer shops. It seems, however, that we'd accidental wandered into The Grove, and after some mindless wandering we found what we had come looking for. Chris laughs at me often about my preconceptions which inevitably result in disappointment. I had pictured in my mind something akin to the St. Jacobs farmers market, or the market in Stitsville (Ottawa). And though there was a grocery store, and many, many restaurants, there were no individual vendors plying their hand crafted goods. Still, it was a good time, with lots to take in, culminating in a delicious lunch purchased from a Korean BBQ. The highlight of it all was dessert--a chocolate dipped frozen banana with nuts. (I was tempted to ask for a double dipped, double stick, but I wasn't sure if the old guy behind the counter watches Arrested Development).

Next, we decided to go check out the famous Santa Monica beach. We hopped onto Wilshire Bvd and took a scenic drive through downtown Beverly Hills on the way. It was interesting to pass through all of these famous areas that we hear about all the time. Once again, we were struck at how out of place our little Civic looked. Lexus, Range Rover, Mercedes, BMW, Infinity, they all seem to be par for course in LA. We even passed a Maserati dealership! Until this trip, I'd never even seen a Maserati, and now I've seen a whole parking lot full.

After some time, and many traffic lights, we arrived in Santa Monica. I motioned to Chris to park along the side of the street, and as we got out a kindly Police officer (POPO, Adam?) advised us we only had to put enough quarters into the meter for two hours (after six it's free). The beach was deceptively far away from our car, however. To get to it, we had to climb down a bluff that we hadn't seen from the road, cross a freeway that had been equally hidden from our view, before arriving at the vast stretch of sand and surf we'd been aiming for. I'm absolutely in love with the infinate variations in beach house archetecture. Each one, is unique in this world. As well, we discovered a lot of activity on the pier. It seems the Santa Monicans have erected an entire mini amusement park on their pier, and it was fun to just walk around, enjoying the buskers and watching people ride the attractions.

Unfortunately, it was a chilly day, made more so by a gusting wind from the ocean. Didn't make for good beach laying, sun soaking adventures, which we had planned for. So, after sitting for a spell on a park bench, watching the waves roll in, we headed back to the car and made for the freeway. Then, we discovered Traffic for the first time since entering America. We've been incredibly lucky, so far, but that luck ran out with a bang as we inched along for almost two hours back to the hotel. Not to worry, though, Chris and I are troopers. Our little radio adaptor for the Ipod doesn't work in LA (because pretty much every radio frequency has something already on it) but we discovered a station we both quite like and so, passed a merry time through rush hour. At least, I hope that was rush hour.

Before returning to the hotel, we stopped back in at Great Steak to enjoy another Philly Cheesesteak sandwich. Honestly, it's the best sub I've ever had. They told us that it's a chain with locations outside of California, so you can be certain we'll both be keeping our eyes open when we travel home again.

Now, we're turning in early. I think we're finally succumbing to exhaustion after our crazy running from state to state. Meeting some of our good friends from ShinSenGumi (our guild) was the best experience of my life, but I'm pretty sure that both Chris and I are ready for a few days of doing a whole lot of nothing. Some time to rest up before Vegas and the return trip.

We hope the weather warms up a bit, so we can really get to work on our tans. Besides that, my only plan is to stop in at a Trader Joe's, as I'm sure they've got one around here. Where will we be tomorrow? We'll see where fancy takes us. Malibu? Venice? Manhattan? Can't wait to find out.

Wednesday April 15: Drum roll please... may I present, DREAM and KAGE!

All right everyone. Today is a very special day. This is the day that many of you have secretly confided in both Pete and I as being something you are excited to see. Today, you will finally meet the powerful Dream, and the elusive Kage. Yes, folks, today is that day. Just about everyone we have met in our past travels have said how much they wish to meet Dream or Kage or both. Well, today I will happily introduce them as seen by a Canadian.

The morning began as most mornings do, us staggering out of bed and trying, this time successfully, to get to the continental breakfast before it closes for the day. After consuming a waffle and a couple danishes, we returned to our room to await our guests. As far as I know, Dream was the first to show up. He is such a great guy, always laughing and smiling. Made me want to buy a Mac just knowing he thinks so highly of them. Anyway, the 3 of us decided that it was a nice day, and Pete had to smoke, so we decided to await Kages arrival outside. Alas, we all forgot he was a ninja, because while we waited for him, he managed to sneak up on us, from INSIDE the hotel to our backs. No idea how he did that, but the rogue class fits him like a glove. He also offered to drive us around the city. Upon reflection of this, I an extremely glad he did. He handled the L.A. traffic like a pro, and got us around the city as if he the directions built right into the car itself.

Ooooh, speaking of his car, it was beautiful. And not just in the sexy sort of way. It was full to the brim of every piece of technology ever thought to add to a car. Even had a camera that automatically displayed an image of what is behind you on a screen built right into the dashboard. Must be hard to drive when all you could possibly want to do is admire the coolness of your car.

Our first stop was lunch. We went to a local spot called "New Capital Seafood Restaurant". What this place was, was a Chinese food that served dim sum. For all you people who are unfamiliar with the term, dim sum is a method of serving/ordering food in which waiters and waitresses wander around the restaurant with a cart of food, offering some to each and every table. If you chose to accept some of the food, a little card is stamped, and then they move on. As a result, we never knew what food was coming down the pipe next. Even when the cover was removed and the food became visible, we were still often unsure of what it was. That didn't, however, stop us from eating some very bizarre cuisine. Some of it was familiar but it all was an adventure. Two of the more unique dishes were tripe (I will let you look this up if you wish) and chickens feet. I am always willing to try new things so I jumped right into it. Peter, was a bit more hesitant, but to his credit, tried everything on the table. It was fun.

After lunch, we wandered over to Universal Studios, and threw ourselves at the rides and attractions. We were there for the entire evening, until it closed at 7 or so. We enjoyed a house of horrors, the studio tour, the Jurassic Park ride, Backdraft, and several others. It was a lot of fun. By the time we were done there, we were all ready to take a load off our feet, and go find some dinner. Eaden and Eldrik had both advised us that we look into a restaurant called "In n Out Burger", and when we mentioned this place, Dream and Kage both agreed it was an excellent idea. We got the Animal Burger, and the Animal Fries. We were surprised to discover that it is a heart attack wrapped in flavor. The fries were covered in cheese, bacon, some other sauce, and who knows what else. The burger, I was scared to look too close. Just know that it was extremely tasty.

After lunch we took to the streets and spent some time walking down the walk of fame. I think that is what it is called, it is the place with all the stars on the sidewalk. While we were wondering around, we came upon Jimmy Kimble doing a bit for his live show. Security kept people back, and we were careful to try and avoid using flash photography, but Pete still managed to get a decent shot of him.

After that, we made the sad trek back to the hotel were after a bit of chatting, we had to say goodbye. We tried to make the separation quick, Kage looked like he was on the brink of tears as he took his leave of us (kidding). I was sad though. We may or may not meet up with these two guys again during the next few days, but regardless, we are done meeting new people. Each departure for Pete and I has been bitter sweet. It has always be sad having to say goodbye to people we have know for such a long time, and have only very recently met. But each time, it was tempered with the reminder that there was still more people on our "To Meet" list. This trip still offers many strange an interesting things that will undoubtedly be new to us, but alas, as far as I know, it will not include any more friends and allies.

This by no means concludes our blog, but I want to take this moment to give heart felt hugs (or handshakes) to each and every person we met along this trip. Each of you have become more than a voice to us. You now have a face, a smile, and 2 friends from Canada. Each of you have blown us away with your hospitality and generosity. Thank you all.

Again, this blog is not over. I just got a tad emotional there considering all the great things and people we have met so far. Probably should go to bed before I write anything more that I might regret tomorrow morning. Until I write again; goodnight. Oh, one more thing. It appears that Pete has turned to the dark side. For shame.