Last Updated on February 19, 2021
It seems like the travel gods aren’t on my side this year: I wish I could say that my journey to the U.S. went without a glitch, but I almost didn’t make it here. I wasn’t allowed on the plane – again. (Does this sound familiar?!) I will talk about it in more detail in my monthly round-up; at the moment I am still digesting this little major travel mishap.
I eventually made it to L.A., and a few days under the Californian sun helped me recover from the incident and to relax before starting my housesit. I stayed one block from the beach in Santa Monica, the perfect location to enjoy the nightly spectacle of the magnificent sunsets over the Pacific and to go on long runs along the promenade.
Most of my days were spent in Santa Monica and Venice – even though it wasn’t like I hadn’t been to a beach in ages (my last beach day was about a month ago in Thailand), I cherished my beach time, knowing that these would be my last beach days for a very long time. However, I ended up braving the L.A. traffic to venture into the city to visit some of the museums I wanted to check out, hunt down new street art in West Hollywood, and try some of the restaurants that had been recommended to me. I have to admit that after the stress earlier in the week, I cut down my ambitious itinerary considerably and decided to take it slow instead, knowing that I’d be back in L.A. sooner or later anyway. Overall, I couldn’t have chosen a better place to kick off my U.S. summer travels – thanks for the great time, L.A.!
Justine
Sunday 10th of May 2015
Oh no Dani. I can't believe you almost didn't get in! I can't imagine what happened. Well, I'm happy to hear that you actually made it and that LA is treating you well. Enjoy California for me. I am beyond excited to be back in Southern California in seven weeks! I can't wait :)
Dany
Thursday 14th of May 2015
Let's just say... airline officials are more strict about visa regulations than immigration officials ;-) (It's my own fault that I didn't get in, I think) It looks like I'll be going to San Diego from Arizona!
Prasun Choudhury
Sunday 10th of May 2015
Will you be visiting northern California/San Francisco during your US summer? Just curious, because I am from San Francisco, which I feel is magical!
Dany
Thursday 14th of May 2015
I won't make it to Northern California this time.. sadly :( Spent a couple of weeks in San Francisco on my last trip to California and loved it! Definitely time for a return trip!! :)
Katie @ The World on my Necklace
Sunday 10th of May 2015
Oh no! Was it because you spent so much time in New York last summer? I just went and got my US visa this morning at the Consualte here in Sydney. I am actually only going to be in the US for about 2 months but as it's over a 3 1/2 month period, I didn't want to risk only having an ESTA as I find the US Border Officers super strict (and very rude!)
Dany
Sunday 10th of May 2015
Ha, I wish it was that, Katie! Or better not - because then they might not have let me in at all! They didn't say anything about my previous visits, and it's my first stamp in my new passport. This time it will be harder to get an accidental extension (last year I got an extra month through a loophole) because I don't have an almost-full passport anymore :D What kind of visa did you get? I should've gotten one too - 90 days are simply not enough.
The Southern Adventurer
Sunday 10th of May 2015
Beautiful picture! Glad your enjoying California!
- The Southern Adventurer
http://www.thesouthernadventurer.com
Dany
Sunday 10th of May 2015
Thank you :) It's so beautiful, hard not to enjoy it ;-)
Pauline
Sunday 10th of May 2015
Aw! Sorry your travel days haven't been going so well. At least I hope now you are on your way to a more relaxing house-sit and can recuperate from such a hectic travel schedule? Looking forward to reading more of your US travels!
Dany
Sunday 10th of May 2015
Somehow this year I can't make it through a month without something going wrong! :( But at least my time in LA made up for the stress on the way there :D