A Dream Come True!

Unlike New York, L.A. was already planned for us - except the flights. We travelled with American Airlines because they have more seat/leg room than the other economy airlines however, if I'd have known how the flight was going to be I would have rather given up an inch of leg space and flown with Virgin or BA! The flight itself was lovely and smooth there and back, but the cabin crew all seemed to have the miseries, on the way home I wanted water but there wasn't a member of crew in sight - so I walked to their 'staff area' and asked if I may have some water - they barely moved a muscle - one of them nodded towards a stash of drinks and said 'help yourself' which pretty much sums up the service!

However, we arrived in L.A. late afternoon and the service at our hotel/apartment was beyond expectation! We booked into The Orchid Suites and from the moment we walked through the entrance we couldn't have asked for more! This is a value/budget hotel - it has no frills or luxuries but the service was excellent, the standard of cleanliness was high - with maid service every day! The apartments are over due for a revamp but comfortable and clean nonetheless and amazing value for money! We arrived ahead of everyone else as we wanted to acclimatize ourselves before we met up with everyone. We stayed for 8 days and it cost us approximately £600 - we could hardly believe it!  There's no food included and no facilities for breakfast etc but you do have a kitchen in your apartment that's fully equipped. The Renaissance Hotel is directly across the road and they serve an amazing breakfast at about £15 per head, so each morning we went across to the Renaissance and started our day!

When we first arrived we quickly discovered how perfectly situated the Orchid was. Just around the corner is Grauman's Chinese Theatre, where Marilyn and Jane Russell captured their prints in cement for posterity on 26th June 1953, to celebrate their success in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. This also had significance for Marilyn as she spent a great deal of her childhood here, watching her idols on the massive screen and forming her own ideals and aspirations.

I have always wanted to see Marilyn's handprints - I wanted to know how mine would fit and I wasn't disappointed - I felt the connection with an instant comfortable fit!

Our next priority was finding Marilyn's crypt so that we could go and pay our respects. We made a mistake in getting our cab from outside of the Renaissance Hotel - we're guessing the driver thought we were made of money because he charged us £30 for a 20min journey - and to make things worse - he couldn't find the cemetery and he took us to the Veterans cemetery! Which is no where near Westwood. After a very uncomfortable journey we were just glad to get out and find the place for ourselves! We had a really hard time finding Westwood - but after walking past it about five times and not realising! we eventually found it - tucked away behind a huge office block and car park Westwood is a beautiful, peaceful oasis of tranquillity. If you are a true fan of Marilyn's I would urge you to take this trip - it's an emotional roller coaster ride but the most satisfying and fulfilling journey you could have. I know that many people leave lipstick kisses behind on the front of her crypt, and I thought I would want to do this too (even though it's frowned on!) however, I was completely overwhelmed and just wanted to be there - I didn't want to leave a personal mark - it seemed wronged, I just wanted to tidy her flowers, give them fresh water and just sit with her.

We spent many hours sitting on the bench dedicated to Marilyn and provided by the Marilyn Remembered fan club.  Whilst there we met a lovely man and his wife, who we  talked to about Marilyn's life and Joe DiMaggio and baseball. We also met a very sweet and pretty girl who, through her mother has become a very loving fan of Marilyn's - she goes to Marilyn's crypt once a week and sits for a little while in quiet contemplation. I didn't catch her name and we didn't exchange any personal details but we spent a good couple of hours chatting - she was truly beautiful and it warmed my heart to know that Marilyn has such devoted and caring fans who visit her regularly.

We left Westwood when it closed just after 6pm and headed back to Hollywood Blvd via the bus at a considerably reduced cost compared to our cab ride of about £2 each!

Eventually, the members of Immortal Marilyn began to arrive at the Orchid. The first event was dinner at the Rainbow, the place where Marilyn and Joe DiMaggio had their first date.  Unfortunately, there was a mix up with the transport and John and I missed this event but as far as I know a great time was had by all and they had a VIP guest that evening - Joshua Greene!

2nd August was the Pool Party - a chance for people to get to know each other and for those that were already acquainted it was an opportunity to get reacquainted! People had travelled from England, Belgium, Australia, all over the USA and various other parts of the world.  It was a nice evening in good company, with plenty to eat and drink. It was also a chance to meet some wonderful Marilyn look-alikes such as Suzie Kennedy, Janet Valentine and Susan Griffiths, the party was also attended by Joshua Greene and Bill Purcell, who was once dated Marilyn in her starlet days!

It was an exhausting time but there was so much to see and do - Friday August 3rd was the Renaissance Evening. Held at the Renaissance hotel, with special guests, many of which, actually knew Marilyn. There was an amazing display of Marilyn items and I got my first ever opportunity to hold something that had actually belonged to Marilyn herself! I'd like to take this opportunity to say special thanks to Scott Fortner, who gave me the chance of a lifetime - to touch something Marilyn had touched - I wont ever forget that moment and I will never forget Scott's generous and kind gesture. If you'd like to see Scott's collection just click here he owns some truly beautiful pieces. Other Collectors also displayed that evening, including Melinda, Jill Adams and Heidi Hanson-Hidrobo. It was magnificent, a table was roped off and a security guard stood by but you could get very close and have a good look and it was a dream come true, to be able to see these items and in many cases, photos of Marilyn wearing them! I would like to say a personal thank you, to all of the exhibitors that evening.

The following day was the Home and Haunts Tour - our tour guide was Eric Woodard who is the author of the fabulous book (which will be featured here soon) Hometown Girl - A chronological guide of Marilyn Monroe related Los Angeles area addresses from 1923 to 1962 with 250 listings illustrated with over 700 images! This book is an absolute MUST for anyone contemplating going to L.A. without the aide of Eric in person as your tour guide! The coach set out early and we had a very full and exciting day - it was definitely one of the major highlights of the trip!

We were taken to Marilyn's last home in Brentwood - 12305 5th Helena Drive. I knew it would be emotional but I wasn't prepared for the pull I felt - having already been to her crypt I really didn't think it could get any more emotional than that, but I was wrong - it was very moving - very strange and immensely upsetting. I could have spent all day just standing outside - though I guess if I had of tried, the police would have been called and I'd have been arrested for loitering!

Our last stop was for a sunset toast on Santa Monica beach - I so wasn't expecting a connection here, and yet apart from the house and the crypt, this was probably the strongest experience of all - and again, I wanted to stay, but of course when you travel in a group you're time limited.

August 5th was the culmination of a Marilyn intensive week - the Memorial - which is held at Westwood, in the same place as it was held in 1962. The place was full to bursting, additional seating was available outside. I was very fortunate to be able to sit inside the chapel - I had travelled a long way for this moment (PHOTOS)

There were trips after the service to the Hollywood Museum and Grauman's Chinese Theatre to see Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. All in all it was an amazing week of mixed happenings and emotions.

As with New York - I know for sure I want to go back again - I missed so much the first time round, I need to go again more than I could ever have imagined! When I set out I thought it was going to be a one off - I'd see the sights and be satisfied, but it wasn't like that at all, I can't wait to go and the sooner the better!