Day 28. Bowling. Hollywood and a Tear?...NO!

Yup. We did exactly what you’re thinking we did first thing this morning. I only had just over a day left, and as promised today we were going to the Hollywood sign! First of all Tris had an audition, so we left the house and about ten minutes later the car started to judder. It felt like we were on hydraulics and to most gangster’s who pay a lot of money for their cars to do that, we just  gained a lot of respect. But the car had run out of petrol. Even though we’d said to each other a few times ‘oh, we need to get petrol’. The petrol gauge has broken so we do have a slight excuse. Fortunately a couple were passing at the time and lent Tris their push bike. A bit of a gamble on their behalf as I don’t know which is worth more. The pushbike or the car? I pulled the roof back and enjoyed the sun. Tris returned sweaty and flustered. Minus the drink I’d asked him for, but I was in a forgiving mood. A gallon later and we were back on our way. Tris went on into his casting and I caught some sun, never mind that it was basically parked on the M25, I soaked up the Vitamin D.

 Once he came out, we then made our way over to the Hollywood sign. You can see the sign from most places over the city, and it sounds obvious but the closer you get the bigger it becomes. And as you drive up this uninspiring residential road, the Hollywood sign becomes more prominent and adds a truly magical feeling to the area. We parked on a dusty road where most cars were. Then decided we needed a wee, where better than the outback? While I had one eye on the sign and the other keeping watch for Rattlesnakes I knew this little adventure was going to be a highlight. Like tourists and a guy who has only had his top off twice this trip, I took it off and tucked it into my shorts. The path up, was windy and tough. I’d also worn flip flops. We went a bit off track and did some climbing, miles in the middle of nowhere, where better to break a leg?! It was about 6pm and the sun was starting to cool and settle. Before you knew it, you have got a prime spot in front of the sign overlooking the whole of LA. We did the classic arguing of where Santa Monica, Venice and Hollywood Boulevard where, all the places we had visited. It seemed perfectly fitting that on my last complete day, I’d climbed to the top of Hollywood. And would like to draw a comparison to conquering it, say something wise to sum up my time here...but I couldn’t think of anything.

We had decided to meet Felicity and Misha and go bowling. Tris had been boasting about how good he was. Not in an Olympic humble way either. I find bowling like Golf- one of the most frustrating games going. I kept quiet and listened to his double Turkey stories.  It would be amazing if I could now say I beat him like a dog, but I didn’t. I didn’t beat Mishca either. I had a couple of good bowls and some others where I wanted to walk down the lane and kick those cocky little red headed pins over! But it was nice last night, and we went for food. I have only met these guys three times over the course of a month, but felt quite sad when we said goodbye and hope to see them again at some point. Although things have seemed to be over very quickly, I also feel I have made some great bonds with people I have met. And I couldn’t have done any better than I had done.

Lesson Learnt: Where is the 'good' in 'goodbye'? I have met and shall meet many people in my life, but I have complete control of seeing them again. Maybe I should see those guys again.