Los Angeles, USA. My very first trip, year 2008

It has been 15 years since my first-ever trip, to Los Angeles.

I was incredibly lucky because it was a gift. I had never been on a plane before, and the idea of flying for more than 16 hours terrified me, but at the same time, I was bursting with excitement. I was travelling with a group of 10 other people, some were my colleagues, others were clients of the company I worked for, and our mission was to introduce them to the American brand we represented in Italy.

Our journey began with a flight from Rome to Amsterdam, where we had the chance to get to know each other. Surprisingly, one of the clients turned out to be an acquaintance of my father from the time I was born. The second flight was from Amsterdam to Los Angeles, a direct flight that took around 16 hours. The aeroplane was massive, and we had practically everything for free - movies, drinks, food, you name it!The first 7/8 hours passed rather quickly, but as exhaustion and sleepiness set in, we all became a little less talkative. Finally arriving in the States, we headed to the car rental at Los Angeles airport to pick up our “convoy” that would accompany us for the remaining 9 days.

Malibu, USA 2008

The parking lot was a sight to behold, filled with cars none of us had ever seen before, like the Dodge Viper and the original Ford Mustang. Along with countless other unfamiliar cars, like the Acura, whose existence I was not even aware of.

Next, we drove towards the Marriott Hotel in Oxnard, and once on the highway, we got stuck in traffic for about 45 minutes, despite the road having five lanes. Finally arriving at the hotel, we were greeted at the reception by Jennifer, a classic American girl with a beautiful blend of Hispanic heritage. I still remember her colourful long nails. The smell of the carpet filled the air as we entered. Jennifer, the exuberant and flashy typical American girl, welcomed us with her captivating presence. Dark-haired, curvaceous, with a Caribbean touch to her features, and nails impeccably long and painted - an unforgettable first impression indeed.

The hotel rooms were enormous, and the single beds were practically queen-sized. To keep us company, we turned on the TV, and the typical voice of American commercials filled the room, reminding me of EA Sports game ads.

We were all tired, and the older ones went to bed right after dinner. But the younger ones, including myself, couldn't wait to start exploring the city. That's when the Magic began.

The music on the radio, the streets from the movies becoming a reality - I could feel the thrill of excitement coursing through my veins. The journey had just begun, and I knew this was going to be the trip of a lifetime!

The hotel staff recommended heading to a pub in Ventura, north of Oxnard, but when we arrived, we discovered that only those over 21 could enter after 10 PM. Undeterred, we decided to head into the city in search of more excitement and diverse possibilities.

Driving on the legendary Highway 101, we got lost amid the opulent neighbourhoods of Bel-Air and Beverly Hills before finally reaching Downtown, where we stumbled upon a bar bustling with a lively crowd. One of our guys bravely inquired if they'd allow people under 21 inside, considering that a few of us were just 19 and 18 years old. "Luckily," they granted us entry.

The ambience seemed typical at first, but as we settled in, we noticed things we had never seen before—remember, I was just 19 at the time. Men kissing men, women kissing women—the pieces of the puzzle started to come together, and we realized we had wandered into a gay bar, with the arrival of a fabulous group of Drag Queens confirming our theory.

We enjoyed a couple of drinks but eventually, some guys took a heavy interest in a few of us, making us decide it was time to switch clubs. It was almost 1 AM, and options were limited. We headed back to Oxnard, where we were staying, and along the way, we noticed numerous strip clubs lined up. So, on a whim, we decided to stop and check one out.

The 18-year-old in our group didn't have any ID on him, which meant we had to negotiate with the bouncer before gaining entry. It was a bit confusing for me, as my English wasn't perfect yet, but curiosity got the better of me, and I wanted to see what was inside.

Lo and behold, in Los Angeles, you could legally see nude women and have a beer in strip clubs at 18, but going to a regular pub was only allowed if you were 21. Inside the club, the music was bumping, and women were putting on impressive pole dance shows. What surprised us the most was that the club was attended not only by creepy men but by guys and girls alike.

After half an hour of dancing and drinking, a couple approached me and asked something along the lines of, “Do you like guys or girls?” I replied, “Just girls, sorry.” They started talking to each other rapidly, and I lost track of the conversation.

The girl seemed upset with me because I couldn't understand, and she stormed off. My friend sitting next to me explained, "You see, that girl wanted to dance with you." At first, I thought I missed an opportunity, but then I realized I had probably dodged an awkward situation with strangers.

Santa Monica Pier, USA 2008

As the night wore on and everyone got a bit tipsy and exhausted from jet lag, we decided to call it a night and headed back to the hotel. We were eager to kick off our week-long adventure and embark on the thrilling exploration of Los Angeles.

From the very first evening, we young ones sought to explore the nightlife, only to find that a quasi-curfew seemed to be in place after 10:30 PM. It restricted us from leisurely strolling the streets past that hour. But fret not, we found alternatives - Strip clubs! Yes, because in America, you can't go to a regular pub at 18, but you can hit the strip clubs and indulge in drinks.

On the first day, we set off for Beverly Hills, ready to explore the renowned fashion stores, and boy, were we in for a treat! Prices in America were significantly lower than in Italy. I mean, I vividly remember scoring a Guess t-shirt for a mere $25 to $50, whereas back home, it would have cost us almost twice as much. Oh, those were the days when the exchange rate was in our favour, with nearly 1.50 dollars for every euro!

Lunchtime brought us to a unanimous decision - we had to sink our teeth into one of those iconic American burgers. Google was still catching up with its current capabilities, so we asked around and boy, the pictures didn't lie - those burgers were the real deal!

Day two was an action-packed adventure at Universal Studios, where two distinct groups began to form: smokers and non-smokers. With our gang of 11, keeping everyone happy after three days together proved challenging, especially for us non-smokers.

Every 30 minutes, we had to halt for 15 minutes because “someone needed to smoke a cigarette.” And since smoking wasn't allowed everywhere in Los Angeles, we often spent 10 minutes merely searching for a smoking area. Enough was enough, and we decided to separate peacefully for the sake of co-living.

As non-smokers, we roamed free and explored three times as much as the smokers that day. It was clear we had made the right call. In the following days, we strategized and divided our objectives and communal areas, meeting back up at predetermined times for the journey back to the hotel.

Our adventures took us from the glamour of Hollywood to the enchantment of Disneyland. For many of us, it was like being kids again, reliving the magic of our childhood dreams. After all, Los Angeles was one of the first locations where Disneyland was brought to life.

Los Angeles was my very first trip abroad, and for a guy who grew up with American TV shows and Pop music from the States, it was an extraordinary experience. The moment I landed, I felt a different air around me, surrounded by people of diverse ethnicities living their lives without any barriers. It was beautiful, especially coming from Italy, where integration was still a big challenge in 2008.

On other nights, we discovered Wendy's, a fast-food chain that delighted our taste buds, along with other welcoming establishments like bars hosting drag queen shows and LGBT-friendly joints. Dinner was often a grand affair, leaving us too exhausted to do much afterwards, given the packed and exhilarating days we had.

But the adventure had only just begun!

In Oxnard, I had the mind-blowing experience of savouring American Bison steak, while in Aventura, I dared to indulge in White Shark meat – both incredibly delicious! And let me tell you, every restaurant serves bread and butter that's out of this world!

But let's talk shopping – it was an absolute blast! We dove into the treasure troves of affordable clothing chains and outlets, exploring Pasadena and Camarillo. The shopping spree was so epic that most of us had to add extra checked baggage on the flight back home. Who could resist those incredible deals and fabulous finds?

I'll admit, I might have gone a little overboard with my spending, exceeding my budget by around $1000. But come on, can you blame me? Disneyland and Universal Studios merch were just too irresistible, and I couldn't resist picking up some new shoes, clothes, and gifts.

Cruising the streets of L.A. at night in a van was pure magic for me. The radio plays with that dreamy movie-like vibe and recognises the streets and spots from famous TV shows like Baywatch, Californication, Beverly Hills 90210, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air – even through iconic music videos. Just reminiscing about it gives me chills of excitement!

Los Angeles was a city of contrasts. The glitzy Hollywood areas gave way to streets and houses that needed some TLC. And believe it or not, in Bel Air, the VIP neighbourhood, there wasn't even a space for a quick pit stop in case of an emergency. As an Italian, it was quite unexpected to witness girls playing soccer – this was 2008, and it still caught me off guard!

I dream of returning one day and venturing into places like San Diego and Orange County. But why stop there? Let's embark on a thrilling journey through the heart of the States, cruising on the legendary Route 66 with a roaring Harley Davidson! The adventure awaits, and I can't wait to make it a reality! Stay tuned for more electrifying escapades in the land of dreams!

In conclusion, my first trip to Los Angeles was an adventure like no other. From the moment I stepped off the plane, the city captivated me with its vibrant energy and diverse culture. Exploring the iconic neighbourhoods of Beverly Hills and Hollywood, trying mouthwatering American Bison steak and White Shark meat, and shopping at the fantastic outlets filled my days with excitement and awe.

The memories of cruising the streets of L.A. in the evening, with the radio playing music that transported me to the scenes of my favourite movies, will stay etched in my heart forever. Witnessing the contrast between the glitz of Hollywood and the more humble parts of the city offered a glimpse into the different facets of this fascinating metropolis.

But it wasn't just about the sights and experiences; it was the people and the moments we shared that made the trip unforgettable. Bonding with my travel companions, discovering new places together, and embracing unexpected adventures added an extra layer of magic to the journey.

As I think back on the exuberant Jennifer at the Marriott hotel, the fun-filled days at Universal Studios and Disneyland, and the vibrant nightlife in L.A., I can't help but smile with gratitude for the unforgettable experiences that shaped my first international adventure.

My heart is set on returning one day to explore even more of California, from San Diego to Orange County, and embarking on an epic journey through the States along the legendary Route 66 with a roaring Harley Davidson.

Los Angeles memories, hold a special place in my heart as the city that ignited my wanderlust and showed me the boundless possibilities of travel. Until we meet again, L.A., I'll keep the memories alive, dreaming of the next thrilling escapade that awaits in the land of dreams and possibilities. The adventure continues, and I can't wait to dive into new horizons with open arms and an exhilarated spirit. Farewell, Los Angeles, until we meet again! If you enjoyed this article, please share it on Facebook. You can find photo albums on the

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