JimJim's Adventures

Photos

jimjim — Thu, 4 Jan 2007 22:07:00 GMT

Hi guys

I know i havent updated this site in a while.... but i am back now.. and take a look at my photos and let me know what you think! Cheers

So San Fran ends...

jimjim — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 08:21:00 GMT

Hi guys,

This is just a quick email to update you on where i head to next. I'm leaving San Francisco bound for LA, where i'm spending 3 nights and hope to remain alive (its ok im staying in a hostel in hollywood so its not that bad!). Then i'm off to Vegas on Friday for 3 nights so that should be good. Then off to New York on Monday for 2 weeks! Then home!!

I have really enjoyed San Francisco. Everyone is nice here, and its not as busy as other cities. There are a lot of homeless folks though, which is both sad and annoying. I'm forever getting accosted by people looking for change. In fact, one guy came into this internet cafe and accosted me for a dollar in my face. He was asked to leave, but i gave him a dollar anyway. I told him to not come into shops and accost people, but if i was on the street its a different story. I shouldnt have encouraged it but thats my generous side coming out i suppose.

Tourist wise, San Francisco is pretty bland. Aside from the Golden Gate bridge and Alcatraz (which i have done), there is not much more to see. It is not like New York or LA in that regard. But nice as well, with its 1930's charm. If i had to choose a place to live here, it would be San Fran, but i havent seen much of USA yet!

Well guys, hope you are all safe from the bushfires. I hear its pretty bad. Bit of a worry, but im sure all will be ok. Speak soon, keep writing!!

James :)

The third email.. Newport Beach

jimjim — Wed, 6 Dec 2006 02:28:00 GMT

Hey all,

This email should be pretty brief. Not a lot has happened in the last couple of days. I have spent it at a beach house in Newport Beach, which is nice. the house itself is quite small, however the location is prime. It is located right on the beach, and when you get up in the morning you are staring straight into the pacific ocean. Which, ironically, is also like a sheet of glass. There is not a wave in sight. These americans are soft, if you ask me! What ever happened to swimming amongst waves as big as houses, like us aussies do? (The boys all know about me getting polaxed by a huge wave in Kennett River in 2004). Yet i still see people trying to surf the waves, or lack of. I swear they are not bigger than a foot or two. I just laugh. Although not out loud, as people carry guns here....

Well, i anticipate being pretty quiet for the next few days, until i head off to San Francisco on Friday. I have also picked up a cold, which is a real bummer. I think i brought it with me though. Here's me laughing about all the Californians wearing gloves and beanies at night when i wasnt cold, then i get sick. I dont know what hurts more, my throat or the irony.

Still no pictures. I am working on it though. I think i may need to go to an internet cafe or something to do it. Now i wish i brought my laptop with me!! Damn north american software!

Ah well.. stay in touch.. Go aussies, get those ashes back!

James :)

The second email

jimjim — Sun, 3 Dec 2006 23:21:00 GMT

Hi guys,

Welcome to all the new people that have not been receiving my emails. Check out http://journals.worldnomads.com/jimjim to catch up.. there's no photos there yet because i have had trouble trying to connect my camera to this computer, but hopefully i can resolve that soon.

Anyway i have spent the last couple of days at disneyland.. the happiest place on earth (if you are a fan of commercialisation and queueing). Its strange... as a kid you have all these ideas that disneyland is going to be the ultimate theme park, but when you get there you find it doesnt meet the expectations of all the hype. Some of the rides were good, but i often had to wait in long lines (in excess of 30-60 minutes) to ride a 2 minute ride. It wasnt a wasted day (or 2 days) by any stretch, it just wasnt what i was expecting. The weather has been magnificent, but it always is in california. About 15 to 20 degs C, and its supposed to be winter. I found it funny that everyone is wearing scarves and beanies at night, yet its only about 10 degrees. And i'm walking around in a t shirt. People just look at me strange, but i think this place needs to toughen up!

I now have an american phone number. If you want to send me a text message its +17147683389. It was funny, the people in the cingular store (the phone company) found it amusing that i spoke with such a rich australian accent. They love australians over here, and i am not too sure why.

The one thing i do miss from home is the ashes!! There is not a hint of cricket to be found. While this is obvious, it is still disappointing! I hear england are making a game out of the second test which makes a change.

In the next couple of days i am staying at a beach house that is owned by Robert's girlfriend's (Kimberly) parents. It is apparently right on the sand at Newport Beach, which is where the OC tv show is filmed. However, i have also been told that it is not actually filmed at Newport Beach, rather at a beach near LA. Interesting fact for you OC fans.

I am also going to head across the border for a day trip to Mexico at some stage. Robert has said he will take me. Also there is a hope i will be going to Las Vegas. But time will tell!

You may not hear from me for a couple of days, but i will continue working on putting those photos up when i can. Off to San Francisco on Friday for 4 days. So i am a busy boy! Speak to you all soon.. Keep sending me emails, i enjoy reading them and will reply when i get the chance. But dont think that i dont read all of them!!

Take care

James :)

Gallery: America

jimjim — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 12:56:00 GMT

Nov 29-Dec 17 2006

The first entry...

jimjim — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 00:54:00 GMT

Hi guys,

This is the first email i am sending from American soil! It's strange i'm in another country, i dont really think it has sunk in yet, but i'm sure it will. The weather is perfect! it's supposed to be winter, but here in california its about 15 degrees C, which makes it quite pleasant. I was all ready to put my jacket on coming off the plane, but the sun was shining and it was quite warm, so i'm glad i didnt!

The plane trip was uneventful. As uneventful as it can be anyway. I wouldnt recommend flying with United if you ever come to America. Their service is ok, but they constantly interrupt you when you are trying to sleep. Like, they served dinner and i wanted to catch some sleep, but seriously like an hour later i was awoken by a stewardess putting one of those snack boxes in my seat pocket.. Like get the hint, i couldnt possibly be hungry! So in the end i got about an hours sleep total on the plane (in 3 different sleep "shifts"!). But that was ok, because on my first day here i didnt really feel jet lagged at all. It was great. I pretty much hit the ground running.

Robert and his girlfriend have made me feel quite welcome. They rent a small apartment in Laguna Hills, which is in the hilly part (obviously!) away from the coast, about an hour south of LA. I went to get in the wrong side of the car at the airport which Robert found quite funny, and so did i actually. American immigration is so time consuming.. i got in trouble because i crossed the yellow line at immigration too early. Well i wasnt looking and the guy in front of me was finished, and i thought i was waved through which i wasnt! Ah well they didnt mind that much anyway. After all the waiting i did in that line, they stamped my passport the quickest out of anyone i had seen go through before me. I mustnt have looked shifty!

Well thats all there is to report on at the moment. Keep sending emails. i will try to personally reply to all of them, but i cant make promises! There is still nothing on my travel journal site yet, but i will add to it as i get photos. Off to disneyland tomorrow hopefully, the happiest place on earth!*

Take care, miss all of you already!

James :)