California blogs

[FuriousFox46]

I doubt any of you would care to read my new blogs on my trip to California but it's worth a try to get readership up

Hopefully, if you do read them they can inform you of what California is like and maybe make you laugh

Cheers

Part 1 (Golden Gate City) - http://thechriswhitingshow.wordpress.com/2012/08/05/california-dream-part-1-the-golden-gate-city/

Part 2 (Journey South) - http://thechriswhitingshow.wordpress.com/2012/08/06/californian-dream-part-2-journey-south/

Part 3 (The Big Orange) - http://thechriswhitingshow.wordpress.com/2012/08/06/californian-dream-part-3-the-big-orange/

Part 4 (Dinner at Tiffany's) - http://thechriswhitingshow.wordpress.com/2012/08/07/californian-dream-part-4-dinner-at-tiffanys/

[Guest MattP]

Should have mentioned you were going, there's a pub in Santa Monica called Ye Olde Kings Head where I hung a City league Cup winning scarf behind the bar about 2001. Could have had a look for me if it was still up.

I absolutely loved California, despite what you read I thought the stereotypes were all spot on, certainly one of the most relaxing places I've been to, loved San Francisco and LA, the view from Twin Peaks in San Francisco was one of the most sensational sights I've seen in the World.

Wasn't too keen on San Diego and even less when we spent a few hours across the border in Tijuana until we found the area where all the action was.

Where did you stay in LA?

[Fox92]

Sounds fantastic. You didn't mention you were going?!

I've been to America twice, love it. I want to go to California and New York though, looks immense.

[LcFc_Smiv]

I've got a coaching placement next year for a men's soccer team at a university in North Carolina. I'm then going to do two weeks travelling to visit some of the performance centres and gyms to meet coaches, was considering doing something similar to this for people to see. It makes for great reading mate, sounds like you had a good time, hope it was worth the wait and lived up to the expectations!

[21st Century Fox]

Nice!

I absolutely loved Boudin, I had keep having a sourdough sandwich for breakfast so I could have as many as possible before I left.

Did you happen to come across The World Famous Bushman?

[Smudge]

We used to live about 120 miles East of LA, in Palm Desert, Both of my children went to UCLA and my daughter lived in San Francisco and was married in Santa Cruz. You brought back some very fond memories thank you. Very engaging and well written.

[FuriousFox46]

Should have mentioned you were going, there's a pub in Santa Monica called Ye Olde Kings Head where I hung a City league Cup winning scarf behind the bar about 2001. Could have had a look for me if it was still up.

I absolutely loved California, despite what you read I thought the stereotypes were all spot on, certainly one of the most relaxing places I've been to, loved San Francisco and LA, the view from Twin Peaks in San Francisco was one of the most sensational sights I've seen in the World.

Wasn't too keen on San Diego and even less when we spent a few hours across the border in Tijuana until we found the area where all the action was.

Where did you stay in LA?

On reflection, I enjoyed San Francisco more than I first thought.

I really liked LA and to be fair to San Diego, I only spent 2 days there and one of them was at the zoo. From what I saw it was nice

I stayed in The Courtyard, Marriott in Century City. Good distance from everywhere really

Sounds fantastic. You didn't mention you were going?!

I've been to America twice, love it. I want to go to California and New York though, looks immense.

California is brilliant as long as you go to the right places. Some of the out of town areas are complete dives though.

I'd love to go to New York.

Whereabouts in America have you been then?

I've got a coaching placement next year for a men's soccer team at a university in North Carolina. I'm then going to do two weeks travelling to visit some of the performance centres and gyms to meet coaches, was considering doing something similar to this for people to see. It makes for great reading mate, sounds like you had a good time, hope it was worth the wait and lived up to the expectations!

You definitely should!

Cheers mate, I really enjoyed it

We used to live about 120 miles East of LA, in Palm Desert, Both of my children went to UCLA and my daughter lived in San Francisco and was married in Santa Cruz. You brought back some very fond memories thank you. Very engaging and well written.

Thanks

Santa Cruz is a nice place from what I saw and I really liked San Francisco and LA. I would love to go back!

[fleckneymike]

Just read your very comprehensive San Francisco blog and I can completely sympathise with your misadventures with American's understanding what you say. Took me 6 goes to get a motel clerk to understand my name was Michael and not Mitchel, Michel, Mansell and some others even I didn't understand. It works both ways though as I was adamant I wanted the "super salad" and was annoyed when the waitress continued to ask me what I wanted. It took the intervention of a friend to point out I was being offered the choice of 'soup OR salad'.

[FuriousFox46]

Just read your very comprehensive San Francisco blog and I can completely sympathise with your misadventures with American's understanding what you say. Took me 6 goes to get a motel clerk to understand my name was Michael and not Mitchel, Michel, Mansell and some others even I didn't understand. It works both ways though as I was adamant I wanted the "super salad" and was annoyed when the waitress continued to ask me what I wanted. It took the intervention of a friend to point out I was being offered the choice of 'soup OR salad'.

Two nations separated by a common language

[FuriousFox46]

Just read your very comprehensive San Francisco blog and I can completely sympathise with your misadventures with American's understanding what you say. Took me 6 goes to get a motel clerk to understand my name was Michael and not Mitchel, Michel, Mansell and some others even I didn't understand. It works both ways though as I was adamant I wanted the "super salad" and was annoyed when the waitress continued to ask me what I wanted. It took the intervention of a friend to point out I was being offered the choice of 'soup OR salad'.

The worst bit is when they pretend to know where you're from. Like any of them have heard of Leicestershire. They wouldn't even be able to pronounce it!

[fleckneymike]

The worst bit is when they pretend to know where you're from. Like any of them have heard of Leicestershire. They wouldn't even be able to pronounce it!

I think you'll find Leicester and Leicestershire is 'near' London. I always found it quicker to say 'near London' when they asked where I was from, which in fairness by US standards everywhere is close to London. If you ever get the chance to return then try and do Alcatraz, even though it sounds sad the audio tour is brilliant.

[Fox92]

California is brilliant as long as you go to the right places. Some of the out of town areas are complete dives though.

I'd love to go to New York.

Whereabouts in America have you been then?

Just the usual, Florida, twice. I want to go to more places in America though.

New York is the place I want to visit the most in the World, want to go before I die. Can visit a few places in New York; Statue of Liberty, new twin towers, Dakota hotel etc

I'd live in America, no doubt. From my two previous visits, it's so much better than England.

[Smudge]

The worst bit is when they pretend to know where you're from. Like any of them have heard of Leicestershire. They wouldn't even be able to pronounce it!

American - I love your accent, where you from?

Smudge - England

American - Which part?

Smudge - All of me

[Fox92]

American - I love you're accent where you from?

Smudge - England

American - Which part?

Smudge - All of me

lol

I'm so going to re-use that if I get the chance.

[FuriousFox46]

Just the usual, Florida, twice. I want to go to more places in America though.

New York is the place I want to visit the most in the World, want to go before I die. Can visit a few places in New York; Statue of Liberty, new twin towers, Dakota hotel etc

I'd live in America, no doubt. From my two previous visits, it's so much better than England.

I've never really had the desire to go to Florida.

I always wanted to got to California and would like to see New York too. Is Florida nice?

I think you'll find Leicester and Leicestershire is 'near' London. I always found it quicker to say 'near London' when they asked where I was from, which in fairness by US standards everywhere is close to London. If you ever get the chance to return then try and do Alcatraz, even though it sounds sad the audio tour is brilliant.

We wanted to but it was all sold out. We didn't book it until late

lol

I'm so going to re-use that if I get the chance.

Haha! That's a good one!

[Fox92]

Yeah, course it is. Mainly go for the attractions/parks, turn into a kid again! Some of the food outlets are unreal.

Street's are cleaner than England's, people take it easy and they are nice. If all of the US is like this, which I imagine it is, would make a great place to live. Gotta move there one day.

[FoxesAreBlue]

When I was working there I found most people very relaxed - I did Camp America and the parent were cool - I was telling one about collecting football stickers, when I was a kid (notably the smell of opening a new pack (remember that?!)) and 2 weeks later when she came to pick her kids up she had bought me a load of baseball cards which I suppose is their equivalent which was a nice thought.

Travelling around was amazing - Vegas and Hawaii were my highlights

[FoxesAreBlue]

When I was working there I found most people very relaxed - I did Camp America and the parent were cool - I was telling one about collecting football stickers, when I was a kid (notably the smell of opening a new pack (remember that?!)) and 2 weeks later when she came to pick her kids up she had bought me a load of baseball cards which I suppose is their equivalent which was a nice thought.

Travelling around was amazing - Vegas and Hawaii were my highlights

[FuriousFox46]

When I was working there I found most people very relaxed - I did Camp America and the parent were cool - I was telling one about collecting football stickers, when I was a kid (notably the smell of opening a new pack (remember that?!)) and 2 weeks later when she came to pick her kids up she had bought me a load of baseball cards which I suppose is their equivalent which was a nice thought.

Travelling around was amazing - Vegas and Hawaii were my highlights

I'd been told Vegas was tacky

Yeah, course it is. Mainly go for the attractions/parks, turn into a kid again! Some of the food outlets are unreal.

Street's are cleaner than England's, people take it easy and they are nice. If all of the US is like this, which I imagine it is, would make a great place to live. Gotta move there one day.

Oh, I might go if I get a chance then!

A lot of people told me Florida was a bit shit

[Fox92]

Oh, I might go if I get a chance then!

A lot of people told me Florida was a bit shit

I thought/think it was excellent. But I've got nothing to compare it to considering I haven't been anywhere else.

I will get to New York though

[FuriousFox46]

I thought/think it was excellent. But I've got nothing to compare it to considering I haven't been anywhere else.

I will get to New York though

I'd rather go New York for my next visit than Florida in all honesty

[PAULCFC]

Went from Sanfrancisco to LA a couple of years ago....taking in a few miles of route 66..stoped in the garlic capital of the world....yes it smelt!Sacremento was my favorite town,good railway museum and town looks like a proper cowboy place.LA is disapointing....the place where all the stars are on the pavement is just like any other road....apart from the tatoo shops!

[PAULCFC]

Just read your very comprehensive San Francisco blog and I can completely sympathise with your misadventures with American's understanding what you say. Took me 6 goes to get a motel clerk to understand my name was Michael and not Mitchel, Michel, Mansell and some others even I didn't understand. It works both ways though as I was adamant I wanted the "super salad" and was annoyed when the waitress continued to ask me what I wanted. It took the intervention of a friend to point out I was being offered the choice of 'soup OR salad'.

Everone thought i came from New zealand....and i've got a real Leicester accent......Kinda explains it!

[PAULCFC]

I think you'll find Leicester and Leicestershire is 'near' London. I always found it quicker to say 'near London' when they asked where I was from, which in fairness by US standards everywhereI is close to London. If you ever get the chance to return then try and do Alcatraz, even though it sounds sad the audio tour is brilliant.

Did that too,try and get a sunset boat over.really interesting if only to get your pic in one of the cells!

[FuriousFox46]

Everone thought i came from New zealand....and i've got a real Leicester accent......Kinda explains it!

I was expecting that but everyone knew I was English