California Gurls

It was just another average hump day at work when the travel bug set in like an unsuspecting sneeze or hiccup that somehow erupts seemingly out of nowhere.  Okay, well, I have a good idea of what triggered it--it was because I had JUST been alerted that I had a three day 4th of July weekend ahead, and for once there was no Bumbershoot or Sasquatch requiring my presence in Seattle.  Thus, the urge to travel set in like wildfire, and before I knew it, I was perusing Airfare Watchdog and Kayak for inspiration.  The first destinations that came to mind were New York (my favorite city) and Atlanta (home of the wildest random party I've ever been to).  Then, it hit me where I should go, and you can blame Katy Perry and her ridiculous song for it.

The Golden State has always had a mysterious draw for me, likely because I spent most of my childhood summers there.  I'd had my heart set on living in California all my life, only to end up in Washington, and not return for a visit since the Pratt family reunion back in 2006.  It's been four years since I've been to California; six years since I went to Los Angeles (LA) to visit the campuses of UCLA and USC, my two dream schools back in the day.

 Summer 2006-last time I was in CA.  In SF with the bro.

Anyway, back to my story.  I had an urge to go to California, and within an hour, I had an email confirming that I'd be heading to LA in T-minus four days.  Did I have the slightest idea what I was going to do there?  Absolutely not.  I approached the trip like I did for Atlanta, Switzerland, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, and over half of the destinations I've been to:  find a way to get there, and the rest works itself out.  Turns out that this is one time when spontaneity is particularly rewarding.  After shooting random Facebook messages around, I discovered that my best friend from kindergarten just happens to be in the area for the week celebrating his birthday, and my pen-pal from the fifth grade will be hosting me for a good chunk of my trip.  I still have no idea where I'm sleeping on my last night in LA, but if I've learned anything from my other travels, I know that'll work itself out.  Here's to random fun in LA!