Christmas at Andy’s

Well, I made it down to Orange County, but not right away – first I headed out after my exams to a friends’ house and hung out with her and her friends. They (both Noa and her friends) were really nice and I hope I see them again sometime, although this seems unlikely. For four days I did very little and relaxed. I also celebrated with my friends over their exam results – some of them were a little frightened by what they would get, but they turned out great. I don’t have my exam results back yet, although everyone else does. It is slightly annoying!

While in Palo Alto with my friend I basically did nothing, but at the end we went to a New Zealand pub in the middle of nowhere so I could feed her pavlova. I’m seriously not a good enough cook to even THINK about making one of those little monsters, so I figured I should leave it to the experts. (Yes – a New Zealand pub. Random yes?) Then I went back to the house. I am still having problems with the landlord (who made a mistake on my contract) but I’m sure it will be solved by move-in day of next semester. The house was very empty – I didn’t like it like that.

I also managed to work myself into a fine state as because I didn’t have a social security number I couldn’t buy a train ticket online. Also, the holidays changed all the bus timetables. Of course I checked online, but I was still worried about getting to the station on time, because the buses are ALWAYS late. So I didn’t get much sleep, but I got down to the bus stop in enough time to recognize that the bus wasn’t going to arrive, and so I got a taxi to the station and all was well. I jumped on this very flash double-decker train with big comfy seats and lots of leg room – but the guy next to me wasn’t impressed. This man was very large and took up all of his set and some of mine as well. He was also, at various points, bored, angry at things, restlessly fidgeting and rambling about how much he hated America.

I enjoyed my train ride – I know the man above seems a little strange, and he was, but there were some other real characters as well. Like the man who kept walking up and down the aisle until someone gave me a beer. Or the man who was standing at the front of the coach ‘reading peoples’ auras’. I’d definitely do it again. It’s an experience. And the train ride itself was wonderful – no vibration, really VERY fast (we were going at 79 miles per hour in places) and lots of space – plus you own food. We stopped for freight in a couple of spots, but one of those spots was in the middle of the big restricted air force base, so I got heaps of time to watch the fighters practicing overhead. It was gold.

I got to LA at 9 and was very pleased that Andy and Lisa were waiting for me. My phone had died because I had gone out of my calling zone, so I was again unable to call anyone. Luckily they were outside. Union station is very nice – they’ve taken good care of it.
Andy’s house is bigger and cooler than I remember – he has two computers, an Xbox 360, and Xbox and a playstation 1 & 2. He also has a TV with 700 channels. Actually I’ve been spending a lot of my time sleeping (I am very tired for no reason) and reading books I bought for the train ride. I also had some wonderful pizza (garlic chicken – one of my parents doesn’t like garlic so I never get it at home). Then we went to Andy’s parents house for dinner. I had a wonderful time (LOTS of food) and this morning (Christmas day) I have eating with Lisa’s folks. Andy gave me some very excellent DVD’s, and I gave him a bowl that looks like a shell (thanks Mum and Dad for sending that!) so I am as happy as the cat with all the cream. Tomorrow we will go to the pistol range so that I can fire a .45 – I’m in America! How could I conform to the stereotypes without firing a gun?! I will write again when I reach San Diego – that is the next step.

written by

Crosswood on December 25, 2007 from Orange, United States

from the travel blog: New Zealand Student, American University.

Send a Compliment

...we have a specific type of pub?!

Yeah when your phone broke it took about two hours before everyone started going 'huh, we can't get a hold of margie! Is she ok?!'

written by Rebecca on December 27, 2007

Am I so untrustworthy that not being able to get hold of me for a day or two is so terrible? I didn't accidentally blow up or anything.

written by Crosswood on December 28, 2007

Haven't been in here for a wee while.. been traveling myself (UK)!! Happy belated Christmas Margaret. I just love reading all about your goings on! :)

written by Fiona on December 30, 2007

its not that we dont trust YOU margie, we jst dont trust american people who we dont know :D glad 2 hear ur stil havin fun...lukin 4rd 2 seeing u! xx

written by annabel harris on January 3, 2008

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