Next stop, California. Then Vegas, baby!

As I am typing up this entry, I am packing my luggage. In fact, I've just started and my flight is departing in umm.. 9 hours. Minus one minute.

Started to rummage through my closet for clothes to bring and found some shirts I haven't touched in a few years, waiting to be donated. And a light green and white striped shirt that was given to me as a gift. The only reason I kept it for so long is because it looks like the one Chihiro has in Spirited Away. Mega nerd moment.

What started out as a plan to go on a road trip in California to visit friends, then changed to an impromptu (much desired) Europe trip, and is now back to a partial road trip within California plus Las Vegas trip. Whew. Surprised it all worked out in the end. And in time - I just finished booking our last hotel last night. First time to all of these places, so I'm pretty excited! :)

What I've learned so far:
- (the average price of) American hotels are more expensive than Tokyo. True story.
- Vegas hotels are cheaper than San Francisco hotels.
- You can get much cheaper prices on the same hotel through bidding on Priceline - look up bidding strategies/forums
- Always search for promo codes. Always. Google is your best friend.
- There's a road in San Francisco named 'Van Ness Avenue'. Har har!

What I'll be doing on this trip:
- couch-surfing for the first time! No, I refuse to listen to your horror stories about couch-surfing and choose to remain ignorant instead.
- renting a car in Los Angeles to explore the whole county - Hollywood, Beverley Hills, Orange County, beach!
- watching Cirque du Soleil's 'O' show, which is only available in Vegas!!
- stuffing my face with real Mexican food
- making a visit to the Grand Canyon
- and what JT will be doing is attempting the $20 front desk tip at Vegas.

What I'll need to do after this trip:
- join a gym
- get a job
- actually, get a job first so I can pay for the gym membership.


See you soon, SF, LA and Vegas!