One's gotta love California!

So since my last entry I have had quite a few experieces. That is partly why I didn't write sooner- I am just too busy :)

So during the next few days I explored the area. I went down to the beach again, but this time I walked around the pier, along 'muscle beach', which is hilarious by the way- all these muscely men working out in the boiling heat, right next to the walk-way. I kind of felt embarassed for them, because I think it's weird when peoeple see me go all red and sweaty during my exercising. anyway...
So i had a nice walk, then headed to Third Promenade with all the shops and Starbuckses ( plural of Starbucks??). I left Ruthy at home that day and unfortunately completely lost track of time. At around 5pm I was at the beach and watched the most beautiful sunset, happily snapping away with my camera. As the last speck of the sun finally got engulfed by the mass of the water I then strolled home. Around 5:45pm Ruthy already started to call and I suddenly realized that not only was it completely dark by that point but that I was still quite far from the house. So I picked up my speed and charged home. That evening we watched a few Sex in the City episodes and I continued wuth my applications. The following days, we then headed out to Malibu and just lazed around on the beach. Seeing that my very own auntie ( lets ignore that she is about 500x removed) was THE legendary 'Gidget' I felt a certain bond with the beach in Malibu and the urge to suddenly become a hard-core surfer really started to be rather intense. That night I read the whole 'Gidget' book and felt like I was already a part of California.

In between all our bigger trips we just went for lunches and dinners and breakfasts and teas and cakes and.....lets just say we had it good!!!

We didn't just laze around though- one day we did a good, tiring hike to the mountains. And boy was it worth it- the view of the sea, the wide expanding L.A city and the smog gently setting onto the city- a setting fit for a romance :)
To finish off my visit to L.A., we drove out to Clermont last night, where we visited more of my extended family ( boy who would have thought a family can be so BIG) and celebrated yet another Hannakeh dinner. I feel like my last week has turned me into more of a Jew than my whole childhood with a jewish mother in the house. Nonetheless, the evening was a success and after plentiful conversation and a very filling dinner we headed home- back to good old L.A.

So now my trip to California is coming to an end.
I have met at least 20 memebers of my family I have never met before, I saw the 'Hollywood' sign, I celebrated Hannakah, I drove through Beverly Hills, I walked down Venice beach and I (mentally) surfed the waves of malibu- yep, I think I have been to California.

Where do I go next?

Today, at 4pm I fly from L.A to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil....YYEEEYY!!!!