23rd June 2004
Left Latin America for another flight on stingy American Airlines, getting fed 2 tiny bags of pretzels during our 7 hours of flying with them (via Dallas to San Francisco). Arrived San Francisco, famished, to discover that the USA is massively more expensive than any country we'd been to so far (shock!).
From a lovely spacious room with ensuite in Mexico City for about $15 a night we moved to $55 a night for a small room with shared bathroom down the corridor in a San Francisco YHA. Vowed to leave ASAP which, fortunately, was already in the plan. Fancied an ice-cream but, on seeing the size of the smallest one, instantly understood the states' obesity problem, and decided we couldn't cope with one between us! Had a nectarine instead, whilst observing Alcatraz.
24th-25th June
Went to Sacramento to visit Pam & Tim, Susana's friends, to be greeted with the news that England were out of Euro 2004. Still, they looked after us well for the next couple of days and fed us with some nice pancakes for breakfast in true North American style. They showed u around Lake Tahoe (nice picturesque spot) with big lake & waterfalls. Saw our first 'wild' chipmunk (see pic).
Experienced the delights of Nevada's casinos but failed to supplement our travel fund with any significant amount, so will have to forego 5-star luxury hotels in future.
26th June
Returned to SF and visited Golden Gate park (and were accused of being lost by helpful San Francisco-an).
27th-28th June
Boarded our last foodless, alcohol-less American Airlines flight (hooray) to Los Angeles in the morning, where we connected with our yummy Quantas flight and experienced a proper company's flight again. 14.5 hours later, and an extra day for crossing the date line, arrived in Sydney in the evening.