The Travelling Fairy DancerLost In La La Land
January 9th 2009 06:52
People told us time and again, "No one walks anywhere in Los Angeles," but we didn't think that meant, "seriously, truly, cross my heart and hope to die, no one walks in LA. Really."
Yes, it's a very large, spread out place with streets as wide as small towns and longer than the foreseeable horizon. Yes, much of it is industrial, dusty and far from a walker's paradise. But we tried. Afterall, walking is the best way to immerse yourself in any new place. Right?
From a birds-eye view, I imagine we walked in circles around Los Feliz trying to find Sunset Boulevard, ended up in Beverly Hills rather than West Hollywood and always managed to walk in the exact opposite direction to the one we wanted, only noticing our mistake upon turning around and seeing the Hollywood sign behind, rather than in front of us. Bless that guiding beacon of a sign.
Hailing a very expensive taxi on the street is less possible than seeing a movie star watering their lawn on a 'see where the stars live' tour and buses can be misleading as to where they make their final stop, leaving you stranded.
We did make the occasional friend while walking; kind hearted spirits who directed us, sometimes followed us and almost always told us their life story as an actor, ballerina or designer. (Seems everyone's been in 'Friends').
LA is a wonderful place to visit and if you're a die hard walker also, discover Beverly Hills and Santa Monica this way - just keep your bearings as no-man's land is always around that next enticing corner.
And hire a car.
Yes, it's a very large, spread out place with streets as wide as small towns and longer than the foreseeable horizon. Yes, much of it is industrial, dusty and far from a walker's paradise. But we tried. Afterall, walking is the best way to immerse yourself in any new place. Right?
From a birds-eye view, I imagine we walked in circles around Los Feliz trying to find Sunset Boulevard, ended up in Beverly Hills rather than West Hollywood and always managed to walk in the exact opposite direction to the one we wanted, only noticing our mistake upon turning around and seeing the Hollywood sign behind, rather than in front of us. Bless that guiding beacon of a sign.
Hailing a very expensive taxi on the street is less possible than seeing a movie star watering their lawn on a 'see where the stars live' tour and buses can be misleading as to where they make their final stop, leaving you stranded.
We did make the occasional friend while walking; kind hearted spirits who directed us, sometimes followed us and almost always told us their life story as an actor, ballerina or designer. (Seems everyone's been in 'Friends').
LA is a wonderful place to visit and if you're a die hard walker also, discover Beverly Hills and Santa Monica this way - just keep your bearings as no-man's land is always around that next enticing corner.
And hire a car.
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