L.A., Baby!

Sierra and I arrived in LA on Sunday, after a 10-and-a-half hour flight from Fiji. I think we’ve done 10 flights so far on this trip, and logged around 40 or 45 hrs of flying – without a delay or lost piece of luggage! Until now, that is… and our Little Problem was entirely self-inflicted! Sierra pulled her suitcase off the carousel, I got mine, and we proceeded through the various Homeland Security checkpoints, made our way to our rental car, and drove to my cousin Sarah Jane and Douglas’s home in Santa Monica for a 3-day visit. We opened her suitcase, and “WHAT THE???... Whose wet clothes are these!?!? Not Savannah’s! UH OH…. Wrong bag."    Sierra has a unique looking grey and red rolling backpack, the one we picked up weighed in just as we had packed it, but we hadn’t noticed a different label: Aiden O’Flaherty from Nova Scotia! So, on the phone we go, and we track down a very helpful guy at LAX. Douglas drives me back to the airport, and in the interim this guy has found Sierra’s suitcase. In-Credible. I trade Aiden’s for hers, and later learn that his family had in fact picked up Sierra’s suitcase, tried to reach us (as we had them), but they noticed the boo boo before departing the airport, when young Aiden reached in to retrieve a pair of pants. And (according to his Dad), said something like “WHAT THE???... whose dry clothes are these? And what’s with all the make-up and dresses?!?"
Lucky us, less lucky them. By now, they oughta have their suitcase back. I only wish I could have washed and dried and folded his clothes… That would have been funny!

Onto the visit: we were nurtured and indulged in every way by our kind cousins -- great meals (and desserts in the pool!),





fun visits, directions to get around, Ben (their son) loaned us his GPS and loaned Sierra his copy of Harry Potter #7, and Rebecca (their daughter) offered sweet connection and swims with Sierra.
I enjoyed walking with Sarah Jane in Santa Monica. Sierra and I went to Hollywood BLVD, and visited Beverly Hills. Saw Avril’s, J.Lo’s, and Gwen’s hedges – very well maintained, I might add! – and Sierra is certain she saw Brittany driving an SUV.




There's Sierra swingin' on the Beverly Hills sign, with a fancy street name off to the right.

The next day, we went boogie boarding in Malibu – shades of Coff’s Harbour water temp! (brrrrr) but we were spurred on by the sight of beautiful Spinnaker Dolphins just beyond the breaking waves.
Then to Venice Beach, a little on the sleazy side, but hey – an experience –and then to the 3rd St promenade for some live entertainment (break dancing), a Val Kilmer sighting, and then Mama Mia with SJ, Doug and family. Dancing Queen is now burrowed into my brain and lives on… and on… and on…
Yesterday we had an easy day of travel to Toronto, and that is where we now are. It’s wonderful to see my parents again, they are doing great! Today we relaxed, Sierra slept ‘til 1pm! And tonight we went to her all-time favourite restaurant: Mezetta, on St. Clair.
I just spoke with Catherine, and she and Savannah are having a great time at Octopus Resort in Fiji. Warm waters, clear visibility for snorkeling, hammocks, vegetarian food for them both, and lots of youthful action for Savannah. Catherine is thoroughly enjoying the elusive white sand/warm water/tropical scene.
Tomorrow or the next day, we’ll go up to the cottage for several days… Then we’ll make our way home to Victoria.
Until then,
Hersh