Monday, August 29, 2005
City of Angels
I returned home to the United States through Los Angeles. Spending the night there, before the flight to Chicago, I decided to risk culture shock in go to Hollywood. It was both shock and schlock!
I just arrived from a place where transportation was cheap, fast and relatively safe. In LA, I found that a taxi from my hotel to Hollywood would cost $40! So I decided to use public transportation.
LA is trying to encourage more people to use their "metro" which is a rail service. It is incomplete, however, and I ended up taking a bus over an hour to get to the famous Grauman's Chinese Theater.
I wasn't disappointed with what I found. Hollywood is not only colorful, but also filled with beautiful architecture and lively steet entertainment. Tourists from all over the world flock to match their handprints and footprints against various movie stars and entertainers. Dancers, street musicians, stilt walkers and Zorro imitators fill the streets, demanding attention and dimes.
As a result, I lingered in Hollywood until well after dark. I decided to take the metro home, even though I would have to transfer twice. Along the way, I met a guy named Mike (who was also headed for the airport), a native of Hollywood who had moved to Eugene, Oregon to enjoy the mountains and outdoor activities. He asked me about my experiences in Viet Nam and we compared notes, he is well travelled in Latin America.
We were interrupted by several events. A man came along asking for money. He was blind and had an artificial eye. As a way to get money, he took the eye out of his socket and showed it to everyone. Finally, he stopped asking for money. Then I gave him some. Someone on the train said, "Lady, you shouldn't do that, you only encourage him." And he was right.
When we transferred trains, some toughs got on the bus who were threatening the passengers. A guy who Mike had been talking to about his tattoos, knew the punks, and was able to cool them off. Mike escorted me through all the dangerous stops and safely to the taxi stand. A tattooed guardian angel! He said, "I think God really looks out for us." I would have to agree! There are so many people who helped me on this journey. I thank each and every one of them!
I just arrived from a place where transportation was cheap, fast and relatively safe. In LA, I found that a taxi from my hotel to Hollywood would cost $40! So I decided to use public transportation.
LA is trying to encourage more people to use their "metro" which is a rail service. It is incomplete, however, and I ended up taking a bus over an hour to get to the famous Grauman's Chinese Theater.
I wasn't disappointed with what I found. Hollywood is not only colorful, but also filled with beautiful architecture and lively steet entertainment. Tourists from all over the world flock to match their handprints and footprints against various movie stars and entertainers. Dancers, street musicians, stilt walkers and Zorro imitators fill the streets, demanding attention and dimes.
As a result, I lingered in Hollywood until well after dark. I decided to take the metro home, even though I would have to transfer twice. Along the way, I met a guy named Mike (who was also headed for the airport), a native of Hollywood who had moved to Eugene, Oregon to enjoy the mountains and outdoor activities. He asked me about my experiences in Viet Nam and we compared notes, he is well travelled in Latin America.
We were interrupted by several events. A man came along asking for money. He was blind and had an artificial eye. As a way to get money, he took the eye out of his socket and showed it to everyone. Finally, he stopped asking for money. Then I gave him some. Someone on the train said, "Lady, you shouldn't do that, you only encourage him." And he was right.
When we transferred trains, some toughs got on the bus who were threatening the passengers. A guy who Mike had been talking to about his tattoos, knew the punks, and was able to cool them off. Mike escorted me through all the dangerous stops and safely to the taxi stand. A tattooed guardian angel! He said, "I think God really looks out for us." I would have to agree! There are so many people who helped me on this journey. I thank each and every one of them!
