So we have been and left the US for now anyway.

We arrived to a very large culture shock, as we had already said before. We stayed at a backpackers for 3 days on Hollywood Blvd. And went to see all the tourist sites - walk of fame, kodak cinema and the hollywood sign. We were really not that keen on L.A its was just full of over actors and tramps. So taking our 8 hour bus journey to San Fransisco was a pleasure. And it really was, we arrived at 8pm took a taxi to our hostel. It was a really nice friendly hostel, everyone was still in the xmas spirit. It was very cold but it all added to the christmas feel. We went for a walk down to union square, they had made so much of the christmas holidays, 30ft xmas tree, ice skating rinks, so many lights and at maces they were sprinkling snow from the roof. It was just what we wanted, another xmas. The following day we went to a little cafe that did the best breakfast, and again it was very christmassy. We did alot of walking that day and being new years eve it was very busy. That evening we had planned to have a few drinks, the go down to the main pier, for a huge fireworks display at 12.00am. We got down there at 11.45pm, it was packed, 1000s of people, it was mad but at 12am the crowd went crazy and the fireworks were amazing. A really great way to see in 2009.

New years day we got up early to have brekkie at our little cafe again, the spent the day down fishermans warlf. Again it was really busy, but really nice down there. We had fresh sourdough chowder bowls, lovely. Andrew was pleased he could see Alcatraz, but we were unable to go over as it was all booked up, so we were disappointed about that. Then we went to see the famous sea lions, there was so many of them. We walked along the famous streets, saw the windiest street - very strange, then took a famous tram around the city. It was the most active new year ever.

The morning of the 2nd we checked out at 10am, and again went for breakfast. We decided that today we would visit the golden gate bridge, we took the bus, and did a walk across the bridge, the weather was ok, but very windy. The afternoon was spent drinking starbucks and waiting for our bus.

We left san fran at 6.00pm, it was a long journey, but we both managed to sleep through the night. We met very strange people on the greyhound, Andrews calm was being put to the test. But we arrived safe and sound after 27 hours. We are now in Canada with Paige woo hoo.

So the next blog will be from vegas in just over a week - god help us, we cant wait

x x