LA trip

We took off for LA for the weekend... just like that.. bad idea!!
no hotel reservations... bad idea
no clue what to do...... bad idea

But the trip wasnt so bad.. wasnt that good either... we drove up for 5 hrs to LA (this is the first time i have done this despite being in california for a couple of years). The road-trip was BOOORING. We had no hotels..but thanks to my marriott rewards (consulting does have its advantages), we got a nice hotel.
But we were amazed that in LA, there are so many beautiful places (beverly hills, 3rd street promenade), yet just within a block or two away, was the worst looking urban sprawl one could imagine. We were kinda disappointed.. plus the heat and the freeways (yes the freeway of death..405) put the final nail in our "easy attitude of northern california" aura.

I liked Beverly hills though...i also went to see UCLA campus and anderson school. Not too many people on campus due to summer... was great.. I told myself that i should plan to keep UCLA as a potential school too.

Later, we spent a nice evening at a "different" indian restuarant in venice beach called Preetams... a nice blend of california salad and greens with indian food thrown in...nice concept and tasty food (very RARE in healthy foods...).

while coming back, the trip was uneventful except there was a burning car on the freeway... It was the coolest thing i have ever seen on american highways.