What a pleasure it was to leave Toronto as the eastern coast of Canada and the US was preparing to be slammed but yet another winter storm. I knew that within hours I would be in sunny California. Feeling the lovely warmth of the sun on my face would make up for all of the winter's trauma.
The flight itself was uneventful. Well except for the following: it was delayed, the gate AND plane changed (after the plane was already loaded thereby requiring an unloading of the plane and loading on the new plane), the guy beside me spilled his drink - tomato juice, the movie was Happy Feet, and my luggage was the last off the plane in LA! OK, I guess the flight was fine but lots of the accompanying stuff was a chore.
I didn't care though because when I got to LA it was 80and beautiful. I did think of the suckers back home. Have fun shoveling!
The conference I am attending is in Anaheim. The pic above is the view of Disneyland from my hotel room balcony.
Once I got settled into my room I hopped back into the car and was off to explore. . . the malls. Normally I explore galleries, historical sites, museums, and gourmet restaurants. Unfortunately these are few and far between here in Anaheim.
Anaheim is a suburb on crack. It actually reminds me a Mississauga back home - a suburb that grew, and grew,and grew to the point that it became a major city on its own. The old areas are being eaten up by new developments, in this case hotels, restaurants, and malls. I've never seen so many hotels in one spot in my life (of course, I have never been to Florida so I can't make THAT comparison).
I picked up some great deals while shopping. I finally bought the pasta roller for my kitchen aid mixer. Back home it sells for $ 200 - if you can find one in stock! I found one for $ 99 US which was a steal. When I brought it up to the cashier I flirted shamelessly and received a further discount. In the end it cost me $ 78. I was able to buy some books that I have been looking for with limited success back home. I scored some great deals on wine that i am unable to get back home as well. In fact I have already stocked up on 4 bottles and we will only bring home 12 - and we haven't been to a single winery yet.This does not bode well for the trip home!
Oh yeah. The conference started today. My Lord the Anaheim convention centre is HUGE! The conference has been great but very tiring . . . today I attended sessions from 8:30 am to 6:15. Currently my brain is on overload! I am not sure I can survive three more days like this.
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