First few days in LA

I have just stared a month long trip to work at CalTech, based in Pasadena. The trip to LA on sunday was a little more stressful than usual. Rachel picked me up early and we found out she had a flat! Thankfully her boyfriend took us to the airport and we had left lots of extra time so had enough time to change cars, pick up Duncan and get to the airport. (Luckily the flight was also delayed.)

The rest of the trip was ok until we got to LA and "found" our car. When we tried to get out of the lot, they hold us it was the wrong car and to put it back and get a different one. But there was already a car back in that space. After a short period of confusion (and too many cars) we sorted it out, found a car they would let use have, and left the airport.

Thankfully Rachel drove as I was not brave enough to tackle LA traffic that day. I will before I leave certainly but I just couldn't face it. After a few wrong turns (Rachel was much calmer than I would have been), we got to the apartment. We are staying at the Fuller Seminary Guest House. The name worried me for a while. But the place is lovely. The apartment is huge!!!! We have our own bedroom and bathrooms, a full kitchen, dining room, balcony, and TV with 50+ channels. Though I don't think we will be needing to use the fireplace! It's a lot nicer than I expected.

Our living room and fireplace

Kitchen and dining room

On Sunday night we went for the poshest sushi I have ever been for. I don't normally post pictures of food, but this was amazing. We split an appetizer which was truly spectacular. There was asian pear, cucumber, a quail's egg (which you pour over the fish), and tuna, all topped with goat's cheese. It sounds a weird combination but it really worked! We also split a bottle of sake. Best I have ever had.

Sake and sushi

My sushi was very tasty though I was jealous of Duncan's sashimi platter. And my desert was amazing.

Creme brûlée and green tea ice-cream for desert 

The little glass is basically berry coulees and ice-cream. Sugar overload! But I did get to try green tea ice-cream (it's been on my list).

I think I am going to like California!

This week has been and will be meeting people and working. But lots of fun things planned for the weekend. And I will put up pictures of campus soon. It's really pretty!