Even in a country a long way from home it is possible to join with fellow Australians and New Zealanders in commemorating ANZAC day. The Australian and New Zealand Consulates in Los Angeles held an ANZAC day ceremony in the National Cemetry in Wilshire on Sunday April 25th at 9am. We had been sent a link to the list of ANZAC day ceremonies worldwide by the Embassy and it included the email address for a woman in the New Zealand Consulate who then sent us an invitation. For some reason, we were also sent two invitations by the consulate in San Francisco to a ceremony in Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, without having requested them. It appears that we need to register with the consulate in Los Angeles to get on their mailing list.

The ceremony occurred on a bright sunny (so unlike ANZAC day usually is in Australia where it so offen seems to rain on this significant day) sunday amongst a sea of white headstones. The New Zealand Senior Trade Commissioner, Arama Kukutai, lead the service, and an Anglican Priest, The Australian Consulate John Olson, and the British and Turkish consulates spoke at different times. US Navy Cadets provided the honour guard, and a Ranger played the last post on a trumpet. Afterwards we attended a reception at the New Zealand Consulate's residence. They had gone to the trouble to make ANZAC biscuits (albeit with cinnamon) and cup cakes. We met a number of other young Australians working in the USA, including a consulate employee, Emma, and the Kangaroo Gold business manager, who is selling Australian chocolate in the USA.

After collecting a hire car from the Hertz@LAX, we packed and were on the road by mid-afternoon, heading for Kingman, Arizona.

We hired a 2003 model Ford Taurus, large enough for all our luggage (only just) and so Rob's Dad could drive without as many insurance concerns. We received an excellent deal through the AAA and the car cost not much more than the petrol.