After returning from San Francisco to Los Angeles, I was eager to start our Contiki tour. I wasn’t sure exactly why, I guess it was because I was ready to have a good time with some Aussies since most Contiki tours are known to have their fair share of Australian residents, no matter where the tour is heading.

We took the bus to Anaheim and Roger and I were excited to be out of Los Angeles. Four days was enough in that place. I am sure that Los Angeles is a nice place to be but for us - it was just too weird. Anaheim was more laid back and so I relaxed a little. It was easy to tell - we were staying right outside of Disneyland and the area was surrounded by trees and manicured gardens. Not only that, but the malls and other shops seemed more laid back.

One of the coolest things that U.S has that Australia does not is the readily available alcoholic items in their supermarkets or convenience stores. That meant that alcohol was never too far away and when you’re on a Contiki tour, alcohol is one of the main items needed. Luckily for us, there was a supermarket not too far and I did not get asked for ID this time which was good - I had left my passport at the hotel. I gave the guy a $5 tip for not asking for my ID. Although he probably thought it was because I was some foreigner and didn’t know when to tip. I think it made his day.

At 7pm, we had to meet in the hotel dining area to meet with our Contiki crew. I don’t know why, but I was nervous. I’m always picking on people for being so judgemental and then I realise I do it myself. But I was convinced that everyone was going to take one look at me and think I was ugly, stuck up, fat, or stupid. I don’t even know why I cared - at that point I didn’t know what to expect so of course I expected the worst.

Once we walked into the room, I immediately clung to Rog which is/was unlike me. I’m usually the first one to say hello and get up and introduce myself but I freaked out. I’m not sure if it was because I was in another country and I was still trying to find my ground in regards to sleeping patterns and my behaviour - I was going psycho at Rog every 5 minutes for reasons that even baffled myself.

Thankfully, we did not have to do the dreaded introductions. Of course that would come later. But we did have to spend some time mingling. I was terrified and I was shocked at myself. I have never been terrified of meeting new people since 1992. Seriously. I was silent for a few moments while Rog began chatting to some crew and watched. But then after an inner battle with myself, I decided to get up and introduce myself to some people.

After it was over, Rog and I walked over to an Italian restaurant for dinner. I think we either just refused to believe the excessive amounts of food that Americans eat, or we had totally forgotten because these meals were huge. HUGE. And it was so delicious I felt bad for not eating it all but I simply couldn’t. I most probably would have exploded. Whilst there, our waiter, Alex, was probably the coolest and kindest local we had met in the entire trip. At first I thought he was asking us questions about our trip and home to be polite but after some time he kept coming over and talking to us which we didn’t mind at all. I needed a break from eating so much. I was having a good time just chatting with some random waiter that we had met - he was the kind of person who you’d probably invite over for a beer. Since then, I hadn’t met a nicer local and we gave him a big tip just for being super awesome.

Rog and I returned to our hotel, almost embarrassed by how much we ate and ready to go to San Diego the next day.

Things I learned about USA whilst in Anaheim:

1. Americans have weird potato chip (or crisps) flavours like CHILLI that is so fucking hot it makes your asshole sting

2. Service isn’t just about doing your job

3. Tipping is like your power - these people are yearning for your dollars so they are going to serve you the best they can. But if they don’t, you have the glee of giving them a shit tip - if any tip at all

4. Do not get nachos at any food place

5. Starbucks at Borders is the best invention ever

6. The two plastic cups provided in your hotel room are never enough