Thursday 2 July - part 2

Oh, before the tour starts I get my home made name plate out and place it on a star to have my photo taken. I am hilarious and people are watching me. Chris, in turn finds a star (in fact 2) that have the initials CB so we take his photo and our humour astounds us.

It's time to walk down Hollywood Blvd and visit some important places. I get my photo of Marilyn Monroe's star which is unfortunately outside McDonalds, I don't think she would approve of that. I cross the road to Grauman's Chinese Theatre and take a tour. It isn't very good so I don't really recommend bothering. The hand and footprints in the forecourt are what everyone comes to see so it is very busy. I have to wait a bit before I can get Marilyn's without other people in it. The footprints of the women look abnormally small because the actors take off their regular shoes and put on tiny ones so their feet look dainty. It is too late for my tour of the Kodak Theatre so will have to come back. I wander for a bit and then catch the train back downtown. I go home for a shower and short relax before dinner.

Tonight it's Pete's Cafe just down the street a bit. It looks expensive but I have looked at the menu and prices online and it is fine. I sit outside to avoid the large and noisy party inside at the bar but the smokers bother me so I move inside. Much better and very sophisticated. My meal is just delicious! Fish with a white bean ragout and sauteed spinach. It really was so good and each day I am desperate for vegies so this is perfect.

I ask my waiter for advice on the studio tours, actually I my first question is "are you an actor, as I want an actor's point of view?" The tours all say they are the only one to go inside a working studio - it doesn't matter much as I know what I will see and anyway most of the shows are on hiatus for the summer. I am not fussed on the rides at Universal which is the original choice. I feel bad for Chris as he really wants to go and I have already said no to Disneyland. He is fine though and happy enough to go on his own. Anyway, my waiter confirms my suspicions and the reviews I have read online. Decision made.