Sue Goes To Hollywood 4

Driving in Los Angeles

The formalities of getting the hire car went quickly, and I managed to resist suggestions to pay for an upgrade, and for extra insurance. I also got directions to the hotel from the hire company's helpful computer. Then my problems really started! Of course, I had expected the steering wheel to be on the wrong side. I also knew I'd have to get used to being low down in a car with a bonnet (hood) instead of high up and well forward in my own van. As usual, the light switches and windscreen wiper switches were the wrong way around too. What I had not expected, however, was that the car would be an automatic. I had to get out the manual to try and work out how to drive it. I also had never had power braking before. The first time I braked in the car park, I came to a screeching halt. Fortunately, there was nobody close behind. It took me a lot of circuits around the car park before I felt safe to be let out on the road, by which time it was dark.

One of the first things I noticed once out on the streets, is that the street names are not sign-posted until it is too late to change lane safely (freeways are better). This is probably the reason why American drivers so frequently cut in in front of each other. This rarely upsets them, but I was thankful to have such good brakes. If, however, you block the way of someone who should be able to proceed, you will be beeped immediately. Fortunately, I had read before travelling that in the U.S. it is permissible to turn right on a red light if it is safe to do so, or I'd have been very puzzled by a lot of the beeping that was going on. Another thing I noticed was that drivers are more considerate of pedestrians crossing side streets and that fewer pedestrians cross between proper crossings.

I had great difficulty at first at spotting opportunities to make left turns in time (I got better with practice), so I ended up making 3 right turns around a block instead. A piece of advice - if you decide to switch to a left turn lane which is on red, make sure you don't block the straight-on lane which is on green. One advantage to people being allowed to overtake on the right or the left, is that you are less likely to get beeped if you stick in the middle lane in order to avoid ending up in a 'must turn' lane.

I managed to make it to my hotel without going too far astray, and even to find the car park at the first attempt. There I met with another new experience - valet parking! I could get used to that. :-)

The Hotel Hollywood Roosevelt on Hollywood Boulevard is a historic one, with wonderfully restored public rooms. My room was perfectly adequate but nothing to write home about. I ate some emergency rations, made some phone calls, and went to bed.

In episode 5 - will I meet any stars? Will I get any tea and toast? Will I find the airport again?