Central to South: Venice CA:

This should be the first of quite a few posts. We're hoping to do postcard style summaries for each stage of the trip for friends and family (you) to have look at, if and when you feel the desire to.

We've just had 4 days in Venice, CA. I'm writing now from our hostel in Centro, right near the Zocalo in Mexico City.

Venice was like a slightly grotty version of saint kilda and nobody has yet been told that Rollerblades aren't cool. We stayed right on the beach and walked to and from Santa Monica every day, and went to all the classic Hollywood sights.

This ale house was next to our apartment block. It was packed day and night, and served proper American burgers. They also had about 30 locals boutique beers on tap. It was awesome. We also fell in love with the Chipotle Mexican grill.

The sunsets were amazing and the weather was clear and warm the whole time, until we had to walk a mile or two to get the bus to lax. With our packs, at 6:45am, it poured, flooded all the streets, and our shoes. thank goodness for goretex.