LA to Tijuana back to LA

We got up at about 9am on Saturday, and had our free breakfast, and then got the Metro to Downtown LA, so we could catch the bus down to Mexico. It took about 3 hours to get to San Ysidro, where we had to get off the bus, and go over the border. We expected our bags to be scanned and our Passports checked, but all we did was walk through a big turnstile gate, and we were in Mexico! We were bombarded by thousands of taxi drivers, stall holders and shop owners, trying to usher us in their directions, but we ignored them all, and walked to Downtown Tijuana from there. It took about 10 minutes, and we found a nice hotel, which was only $20 each, but we still checked out our originally planned hostel. However, the one we hoped to stay in was closed, so we had to go to the posher, nicer hotel on the main road (sigh!). We checked in and went out straight away, so we could get some lunch. We found a nice bar called El Torito, which had Corona's for $1.50! We had a massive lunch, and a few drinks (my first was a Margarita, and my second was a Corona!) and then played pool on their free table. There was a man there with a bottle of tequila and a whistle, who kept on coming round and pouring it in our mouths. He said it was free, but your always obliged to give him a tip. We got back to the hostel at around 8pm, and had showers and then went out. We went back to El Torito again, and spent most of the night there paying pool, going on their mechanical bul, and also playing table football. It got to about midnight, and we wanted a change of scenery, so we went to a bar called Animale, but they ripped us off big time, by giving us 'free' shots, and making us pay stupid prices. We left soon after that and went back to El Torito so we could end the night there. We went back to the hostel at about 2am, but stopped off along the way for a early morning Burrito, and then went to bed.

We got up at about 11:30am on Sunday, and checked out just in time for the 12 o'clock check-out. We went out into the town hoping to buy some souvenirs, but all of the shops sell the same rubbishy things that would never be ay use in the real world! So in the end we bought a shot glass each, and then went to our usual bar for some lunch. The tequila man came round again, but we politely refused, as we were happy with our Corona's! We played a few more games of pool, and decided it was time to go to the border. It was as I had expected the first side to be - loads of security, bag scanners, passport control etc. but we got through in time for us bus, and were sad to leave Mexico. It was so cheap, but I think we spent just as much money on tips, so it wasn't so cheap after all! Everyone says its nothing like the real Mexico, which has given us another reason to go back! The way of life there is so different to America, and it was a lot like Thailand. Whenever you walk past a shop, the owners shout at you, telling you what offers they have, and its all a massive rivalry. It was really fun to experience that again, as its not realy like that in Redhill! We got on our bus back to LA, which seemed to take a lot less time, but we were back in Downtown by 6pm, and we went for a walk around the streets. We hadn't walked very far, before we saw a film crew, who were filming something called "Hotel for Dogs'. It sounds awful, but it was cool to see them filming it. We left Alex outside a theatre, as he wanted tickets to see 'Flight of the Cochords' live. He actually got in, but Mike and I didn't find that out until we got a lot later in the evening. We went back to Hollywood, and went to the cinema to see Indian Jones and the Crystal Skull with a random Irish girl that we met at our hostel. It was an alright film, but it had aliens in, so it was even harder to believe! We got back at about 1am, and found Alex on the computer.

We got up at about 9am, but quite reluctantly. We got our free breakfast, and then got on the bus to Universal Studios! It cost $63 for a transfer and the entrance, which is much cheaper than the $100 some people pay for Disney. We walked up to the gates and there were so many TV cameras about, and quite a few helicopters flying around, which was because of the fire that burned some of the sets down. We got in and went on quite a few of the rides before lunch, which included The Mummy (a roller coaster), Terminator 2 - 3D, Shrek 4D, The Simpsons and Jurassic Park. Some of the rides were really similar to the ones in Florida, but not too much that it spoiled it. We had a really good day, and left at about 6.30pm. We got back to the hostel at just before 7pm, which is when went to the 7/11 to get some food. We got back and wasted the evening, until Mike went in for the Open Mike night. It went really well, but not too many people entered it. We went back out at about 10pm, and got some food from a Mexican Cafe, further down Hollywood Boulevard. We got back and spent the rest of the evening on the internet, but the computers here are rubbish, so it was a failed attempt!

We got up at about 11am this morning, as we needed the sleep, but we had to sacrifice our free breakfast for it. We tried to sort out our new tour, but spent ages doing it, so we missed to booking time. We were supposed to go on the Green Tortoise up to San Francisco, via Las Vegas and Yosemite, but they had to cancel the Yosemite part due to lack of guests, so we didn't want to waste our time with it. We should be getting a full refund though, which will cover the new trip we have found. After doing that, we went to the supermarket, Subway (and bought a footlong for $5!!!), and then Alex & I got our hair cut. I did call home as well, but only because Halifax suspended my online account, so I needed to ask for some emergency money, but I will pay it back!! This evening we walked along Hollywood Blvd, and saw The Pussycat Dolls filming their new video! It involved them climbing scaffolding, which was funny to watch. I walked right past one of them, before we knew what it was they were filming for. We thought it was another scene from the Dog Hotel film!! We walked about halfway towards the Trougodour (a music venue), but chose to get the bus instead. We went there to see Newton Faulkner - a musician from Reigate, who is really talented. I thought the gig was one of the best I'd ever been to! He really got the crowd going, and seemed as though he enjoyed it. After that, we got some food from yet another fast food chain, and then made it back to the hostel.