The last few days in San Francisco were good. I moved from Martha's to one of the youth hostels close to Market Street in Downtown- my first youth hostelling experience! They organised various trips so I took one around the city that also went out to the Muir woods- they are so beautiful and I got to see some wildlife. It was only deer and chipmunks but it was still good. I also came across this plaque which in case you can't read it, says: Here in this grove of enduring Redwoods, preserved for posterity, members of theUnited Nations conference on International Organization, met on May 19th, 1945. To honor the memory of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, thirty-first president of the United States, Chief architect of the United Nations and apostle of lasting peace for all mankind.
Thought that was rather appropriate for me being on the Roosevelt Memorial Scholarship! Made me very proud.
I also took a trip out to Alcatraz and saw all around the cells and the island. So interesting. What a location for a tourism opportunity! No other city in the world has that! It was quite intimidating to see butso special that the city has realised the potential in it and kept it up and running as a national park and tourist spot. It is now run by the Forest and Parks people as it has a wealth of sea birds and plants.
After this I took a walk down to Fishermans Wharf and saw all the activity going on around there, including the Sealions! Very bizarre to see so many in the middle of a built up harbour area! Very loud too! I also managed to see the house used in the film Mrs Doubtfire which was a personal achievement for me!
From San Francisco I moved onto Las Vegas- boy was that a shock! I knew it would be a place like no other but it was still shocking to see just how much!! My brother came out to join me while I was in Vegas so that as great- I think I got to see alot more because he was fresh off the plane from England and raring to go! We did walk a little too much int he first couple of days so we allowed ourselves some chill out time by the pool to recover.
Vegas is a weird mixture of so many things. Everything you could want or desire is available to you- in fact you don't even have to go looking, things are offered to you at every turn! It is a city that I generally could break down into 2 experiences- gambling and entertainment. They are each very strong elements that create the vibe around Vegas, but neither could survive without the other. This is true for the casinos too- they cannot survive without each other so have created links and joint marketing that helps to boost the tourism for the city. Even the individual advertising boards at each casino were advertising other's shows or entertainment. They truly are working together to create the experience of the whole city. Then again I understand that most of the casinos are owned by just a few people/companies so it doesn't come as such a shock then! Still it creates more of an all encompassing effect that benefits the tourists and companies alike. Joined up thinking on things allows more information to get through which is very helpful.
Then from Vegas I headed off to San Diego which is where I am now! I am staying with a lovely couple who are parents of my good friend Carmen. They have been so wonderful to me already, looking after me, feeding me and even allowing me to drive their car! That will be fun :)
I am now working out my plan of action for this week before I head off on Thursday to LA! I can't believe that I am already half way through my trip- it took me so long to research and plan it all, and it is flying by! This is such a great opportunity- one that I hope to inspire others to apply for!! If anybody who reads this is interested, just ask :)
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