(this happened on) Saturday 18th July 2009, LA

Next door to our Hotel

Today the first thing I did was head to the Dollar office to pick up our rental car.

I was played a bit by the staff member who served me, he was like, I am going to give you a car from section nine, you can get any car from that section you want, a small, medium or luxury car or even a convertible because I love you Brit’s, so as he was being so cool I gave him a nice tip.

When I got to section nine of course the only car choices were the actual car I booked on line. Hook, Line and frickin’ Sinker. It’s a a black metallic PT Cruiser and it sounds like it’s fitted with a sewing machine motor rather than a petrol engine, what a disappointment. Next I had to get back to the hotel, and of course I could not get the bloody GPS I had bought yesterday to work. Luckily it was not far to the hotel and I found my way back, and then I could read the instructions on how to use it for future journeys.

I got Sasha’s airline tickets printed off for her. And then I tried tobuy Tickets on line from Ticketbastard who as far as I can tell are really ripping everybody off, god knows why the venues use them, what was up with doing it them selves? Anyway, I could not seem to buy the tickets as I don’t have a credit card address in the USA and frankly I am glad as

the bastards wanted to charge me for actually wanting to print the tickets off myself, they are the biggest rip off merchants I have ever come across, they make the car rental guy look like a beginner.

Somebody needs to break that company down, it was never a problem to buy tickets directly from the venues so why should we be forced to put masses of money into the pockets of these inefficient rip off bastards who charge you extra for the pleasure of during all the work yourselves online, in a totally un-human automated way and then charge yoy extra for wanting to print the fucking tickets off on YOUR OWN PRINTER on YOUR OWN PAPER with YOUR OWN INK!!!! Rip Off Bastards!!!!!!

So the only option was to buy the tickets  at the stadium.

It's Dodger time

It did not look too far on the map but boy the roads are a total nightmare and our sat nav leaves a lot to be desired, but we made it eventually.

We bought our tickets, just $11 each, ticketbastard claimed there were none of these left which was bollocks they were just proving what a rip off pile of shit they are, no customer service and no benefit to the consumer, I also cannot really see a benefit for the client as I am sure ticket bastard take a nice cut and piss off customers big time judging by the massive piles of complaints I saw on line about this company while I was trying to purchase our tickets.. We got them with no problem in no time at the stadium with good friendly service.

Tickets for tonight’s game in hand we went back to the car and planned to drive to Venice Beach but after sitting on the freeway (a misnomer if ever there was one) lots and lots of traffic and scary roads and we soon realised we could not get there, find parking, look around and then get back to the game on time on these roads.

So we went for Plan B, we stopped off and had a quick bite of lunch at a Wendy’s then we called back in at the Hilton so that I could get some more comfortable shoes , Sasha’s camera and Sofia’s disabled parking badge, as the car parks at the ground were miles and miles all around the grounds and then we were off to the game.

We wanted to get there early as it was our first time and we did not want to miss anything.

The parking attendants were all very efficient and got us to the right place with no trouble.

Dodgers stadium is truly stunning, our view from the very top of the stadium was simply breathtaking, with the whole pitch laid out in front if us, a massive screen in front of us and a hollywood style sign on the hills behind saying ‘Think Blue’.

Parking was so simple and we walked straight in from the car park into the top of the stadium.

The seats were comfortable although Sofia did have a bit of a struggle walking down to our seats due to the incredible height and the steepness of our seating.

The sun was beating down and it was truly glorious, especially as we chugged a cold beer.

The game itself was wonderful easily one of the best sporting events I have attended.

There were planes flying overhead with banners advertising Bud Lite and Miller Lite.

A very happy and enthusiastic crowd who were happy to entertain themselves in the lulls with paper planes, Mexican waves and crowd volley ball.

There was also a lot of patriotism, standing, hats off for the anthems, saluting wounded soldiers and blood donors and supporting Lance Armstrongs LiveStrong Cancer appeal.

We all enjoyed the game, most cheers went up for Manny Ramirez (he of the long dreads).

Basty and I ate blue candifloss and a little black girl with huge eyes was watching Basty eat his so intently that I gave her the rest of mine.

There was a spectacular sunset over the ground, Sasha was wearing her 3D glasses which made it even more powy!

We waited until it was all over as the score could have changed right up until the last ball.

Los Angeles Dodgers 5

Houton Astros 3

Nice to have a home win.

We thought it might be tough getting out as the crowd was around 48,000 but they made it pretty smooth unlike our drive back, some sat nav inspried detours is all I will say.

We went to Denny’s for supper then back to the hotel, me on the laptop and Sofia to her book.

It was nearly 3:00am before we got to bed.

P.S. it was strange to be driving through LA and to see so many (Nodding Dogs) Oil Derricks.

Manny Swinging

world travel, art work,  la dodgers, houston astros, dodgers stadium, Dollar rent a car, PC Cruiser, Hilton LAX, California, USA, holiday, Wendys