Day 3: Shopping time

Today was the day I've been waiting for shopping at a HUGE outlet centre!!

We started off by packing up our Hermosa unit before we headed off. The weather today is again very cloudy but we also got rain, especially while driving later in the day! Made it very humid!! Dad's driving has been amazing.. the rain was very misty and it was foggy which made it even more difficult.

View from Hermosa unit (3rd floor)

Abbot Kinney road in Venice beach was the first spot of shopping for today.  Saw a WELL overloaded car on the way which amused us all. We got to visit the recommended shops by Amy Tangerine. Mum and I had been very much looking forward to going to Urbanic. The items did not disappoint, however it was pricey and I only bought a Paris journal *Of course* and Mum some little crafty notes. A shop called Firefly was also visited at the time. Dad was very intrigued and again amused by a skateboarding man, who we think wasn't fully there. He needed something to keep him amused while we had a look in the shops, however, we were quick in our opinion!

Crazy overloaded car

Shop front of Urbanic

Following the shopping we drove along the end of Venice beach. We didn't get out as the weather was ordinary, however I'm sure it would be very nice on a hot sunny day. Volleyball nets are all the craze over here!

Venice beach from the road

In shocking weather we next drove through Malibu. There was lots of surfers out in the what appeared to big rough waves. Was quite a sight to drive through rock faces. It was literally the ocean, sand, some houses right on the sand, a mountain, a cliff, the road and another mountain for much of the way. Mum was in desperate need of a nap, so nodded off and missed most of Malibu and I managed to miss some action when I had a quick nap too. There was what the boys said was a rockfall and sweeper trucks driving along the side of the road clearing it up. Dad just missed it, but the car in front got hit.

Driving through Malibu

Along the side of the road just after Malibu there was also veggies growing. Total change of scenery, but was very beautiful. The food was growing right to the edge of the road and continued as far as the eye could see with no fences separating them with the road.

Veggie growing

We arrived at the Camarillo Outlets just before 1pm. Before shopping we went and ate lunch in a packed food hall. Saturday is clearly very busy! I made a dent early on, in 2 of the first 6 or so shops. My excuse (not that I need one): I only brought virtually only the clothes I was wearing I need to wear something!

Some of my purchases

Everyone found multiple things to buy at various shops. Daniel let the moths fly buying jumpers, Dad also got some jumpers, Mum, some vests, jumpers and a bag and Me.... Well I got a bit of everything! Jumpers, trackies, tshirts etc and also a bag. It is safe to say I took the shopping record award today!! After a mammoth effort of about 5 hours with aching feet and legs we headed off in search of dinner, with Del Taco (Mexican fast food) the voted choice. Food here is so much cheaper, it really is ridiculous. Dinner only cost $20!!

Next we finally drove to our next accommodation in Valencia. Was freeway all the way, rising up and down through the mountains. It felt like it took forever but was only about 40 minutes. We arrived about 7.30pm. Mum really does want that eye mask now.... The accommodation is nice, but on the smaller side, with the rapidly expanding suit cases not helping!!

The bed of purchases

After dropping off our luggage and purchases in our room, Mum, Dad and I headed off to Michaels (Craft store). We had a wonderful time exploring the different variety of items. Some damage was done, with some items being very cheap due to sales. We bought our books that we are both going to do our america trip books in. My fingers are itching to start and brain bulging with ideas!

Tomorrow is another day I have been very much looking forward to. We are going to Six Flags Magic Mountain, which is a rollercoaster theme park. Daniel, Dad and I are heading off there while Mum is going off on her much awaited shopping trip ALL ALONE! She's been looking forward to this, so hopefully the Westfield will have lots of shops and wifi for her to explore before she goes for another look at Michaels and other shops in that strip.

Sleep is calling for my very weary legs! Not sure that tomorrow will assist this matter, but no doubt the three of us will have a blast being thrown in all directions!

A couple of things we have noticed so far:

• The locals have trouble understanding us, often asking us to repeat things
• The drivers are very courteous on local roads letting you cross if you are standing on the side of the road, but on freeways they just stick their blinkers on and go
• My american accent is improving by the day
• Whenever you say thankyou they respond with "mmmmhhhmmm"
• They nearly always ask "are you finding everything okay?" or when you pay "did you find everything okay?"
• Mum's navigation skills are improving! Or should I say her ability to read the direction given on the rear vision mirror. (Letters were being light up on it and it wasn't until she figured out that they were the direction we were going that it made sense!). It is a constant joke about which direction we are going and the ability of her to know it.

The mirror