CALIFORNIA, COLORADO and MEXICO

Hi Everyone

I hope all is well down under.

I said goodbye to beautiful San Francisco and headed over the bay (well actually technically under the bay in the underground rapid transport system) to a city called Oakland. From there I was to fly down the Californian coast to San Diego on a bargain airfare that I thought I booked a few days prior. But the Southwest Airlines check-in staff couldn't find my reservation. It turns out I booked a flight on the 23rd March instead of the 23rd February. Oops! They were going to sell me a significantly more expensive fare, but luckilly due to "technical difficulties", they had trouble selling me a fare there and then so they just gave me a boarding pass anyway. Lucky!!

San Diego was nice. It was certainly a nice climate there. The place actually reminded me our very own Gold Coast, but with a hispanic influence. I checked out the world famous San Diego Zoo, which was nice but I am pleased to say that our Melbourne zoo is not too far behind.

I took a trip over the border to Tijuana, Mexico, where we (it was a group from the Hostel I was staying at) drank lots of beer and tequila (that seemed to be the main attraction in TJ).

At lunch I had some beautiful chicken fajitas, 2 margaritas, 2 coronas and a tequila shot, and it cost me a mere US $10.70. I'm sure it would have been cheaper in Mexico proper rather than the tourist border town.

Unfortunately I had to leave San Diego 2 days before the Mardi Gras (2nd biggest in the USA after New Orleans apparently) celebration which was to happen right in the Gaslamp Quarter where I was staying. The section was to be blocked off and everyone staying at the Hostel would get free admission to the party. But Vegas was calling.

Luckilly my flight to Vegas was booked correctly, so I arrived without any problems. I gambled a little bit but failed to double my holiday budget as planned. I met up with Mel and we had a great time drinking 75c margaritas, eating buffets, going to shows and checking out all of the ritsy casinos that we couldn't afford.

The other day Mel and I arrived here at Copper Mountain in Colorado, where Mel and Ben are working the US winter season. I think the skiing is great, even though apparently by Copper Mountian standards it is quite poor. By my Australian standards, it is fantastic!

I am staying in Employee housing where Ben and Mel are living. It is a great atmosphere here. I'll be here for a while, and after that I head to NY City with Ben.