It's mandatory in Vegas to make mistakes...Part II

So here's part II of the journey. Aditya and Shantanu had come to LAX airport for pick up and it was 11.30 pm local time. From there we drove straight to Shashi's home. I have a special relationship with that house, since I had stayed there for a little over 2 months when I was searching jobs last year. Felt really good after going into that house again. Anyways, so now we all were together. Not to mention, I was very hungry and so was Shantanu. I think Aditya had brought some good desi food from somewhere and we ate like gluttons. Friday, was a long day for everybody I think, everyone was so tired and ready to sleep. And we had to call it a day, but before that we had to plan for next day's excursions. Not surprisingly, when you have lots of heads thinking you can not come to a consensus...somehow something was decided after 20 minutes or so and then we 5 were off to Aditya's place. But for us the day was still not over yet..;)..everybody wanted to drink something...and to our bad luck, we couldn't find anything, it was 1 am by then, went to many shops but all in vain, and went home empty handed..:(, but as they say 'Fighter kabhi haarta nahin..', Aditya had some wine (or may be Vodka, I don't remember exactly)...and that was enough for that night...at least when you don't have a choice..;). Golu was already dead in the car..it took him less than a minute to start snoring after entering the house. Obviously, the melodies coming out of his nose were not the best kind of music you want to listen to at 2 am..:)! Needless to say, I was also badly tired by then and needed a quick nap to recover, and I did get one..! Meanwhile, the other 3 were having an innovative kind of cocktail..! A drink made up of Red Bull & wine. Paradoxical as it is...they both have opposite effects..one excites and the other pacifies...I don't know what the resultant effect could be. But they seemed to enjoy it..I think the drink was 'invented' by some IITians..not surprising..only they can come up with such innovations....;)! Once again, I didn't even dare to taste it...as it is I am not a big fan of any kind of alcohol..:(. Anyways, we sat there for a while, talked lot many things....and finally called it a night at about 3.30 am..!

By the time we all woke up next morning, it was already past 9. And you know, how difficult it is to wake up at 9 in the morning when you don't have to go to job...! It took more than an hour for everybody to get ready (get ready as in, not sleeping;)). We had to buy some stuff for the day's trip. So, Golu & Purvin went to the store. And Golu has to buy something from everywhere. So, the dude bought some floaters from Sears! Now, who goes for shopping at 10 in the morning, but then that's Golu. Anyways, so they come back..but forget something...actually we wanted to buy a volley ball to play on the beach..so this time Golu & I went to Sears, as I liked his floaters a lot and I also wanted the same kind (okay, we do go for shopping in the morning:D). But, I found something different than what he bought, unfortunately, not of my size. And Golu also liked them more than the ones he already had bought, so he decided that he'll buy them instead. He goes to the cashier..and says I want to return this...can you believe he was already wearing those..:)! That lady said we need them back in the box..! Oops..! that's a problem..so he drives back home to get the box and I was just wandering in Sears. He came back in some time, and to my surprise..he was walking naked feet. Oh man, that was heights now..he drove his car and walked all the way from the parking lot to the cashier station..No one could
escape laughing in such cases...and I was no different...! Anyways, he bought those floaters finally. See, when you have Golu around you always have stories to tell...especially if you have grand children...;)!

From Sears we went to Walmart, to buy the ball (for which we actually had gone out;)). Then something happened to me, and I think Golu's bad time had started now..:)..and I showed him the worst ladies around...the worstests of all worsts..! Poor fellow, stopped looking at ladies at one point and just wouldn't listen to me..bahut frustu kiya usko maine phir for the rest of the trip in Vegas as well..Anyways, by the time we reached home, Shashi & Snigdha had also arrived. And we left soon for the Laguna beach..!

You couldn't expect less when you are driving in California..! Meaning, every third car on the road will be a BMW or Merc or the likes...! And if you are from Buffalo, that looks like a whole new world after seeing all those Dodges and Cavaliers here..;)! On top of that, the weather can hardly get bad..it's always awesomely sunny! The temperature was somewhere in 90s..but for some reason I was feeling very hot in the car..;) and had to have a cold red bull and the AC on in full swing..! Anyways so, we were looking at the houses, cars and the surrounding...and suddenly we saw a beauty...yes she was right next to us...All red and driven in style..any guesses ? Right, that was Ferrari...I don't remember if I had seen this closer before or not..but that was something..took a snap of it..and moved on..finally we were in Lagoona beach town...being a holiday weekend it was quite busy..and parking was rarely available..but somehow managed to secure 2 spots in some parking lot and from there we strolled to the beach..

The beach was quite densely croweded...lots of people...Anyways, all of us had a great time playing in the green pacific waters..almost spent 2 hours...and now everybody was dead hungry..Aditya had suggested some nice Mexican restaurant. But after reaching at the restaurant we realized that it was costly beyond our limit..and nobody felt like spending 25 dollars for food at that time..;)..so now once again it was a momentary 'chaos'..somebody wanted to eat Mexican, somebody desi and the rest just wanted something..;)..no discrimination in food at this point..;) kuch de do khaane ke liye baap!

Eventually, after some arguments we all headed for desi food in Artesia. Well, it's like complete desi town there..with all kinds of desi-shops. Anyways, we had a decent desi meal there...and it was about 6 pm now! Everybody was exhausted by now, and kissi ko bhi kuch bhi ghumne kaa enthu nahin thaa ab..everybody wanted to rest for some time..but then all knew..once we reach home..we won't be able to go out again..it will be a one long nap..! Ultimately, it was decided that we go to Santa Monica/ Hollywood..and now we were on our way to Hollywood...

Nothing spectacular happend there..;)..Okay we did see some 'The Places' of this world..Drove on Rodeo drive (supposedly world's costliest shopping district), Million dollar houses in Beverly hills, Sunset boulevard, Hollywood..! Then went to the Kodak theater (Oscars are held here)..the area around the theatre was really buzzing, lots of neon lighting and happening..lots of people on streets..and then lots of street side performances - dances, guitars etc..and then around you, you have various batman(s), spiderman(s) and some other hollywood movie characters popping up from everywhere.. and people were treating them like celebrities and would take pics with them..! One of the character was really scary..he was a replica of dracula..and he would walk very quietly on the street...without speaking anything..and you are guaranteed to get scared..:)..then there were 2 girls playing rock songs - hotel California and stairway to heaven..that was fun to watch...next to them were some Cuban dancers...they were also amazing...in all it really was a buzzing place to be...if you are there at the right time..:)! So, it was past 11 now...and we couldn't take anymore..and just wanted to get back. Next morning, we had to get up early to reach Vegas in time....!

Kaushal

P.S: Part III is coming up... and click here to see the trip pics