Saturday we got up EARLY (ok like 7:30am – but on a Saturday that is EARLY!). We got ready and then got on the road for Norwalk to meet Jim (my boss) and his daughter Megan for our personalized tour of LA. By 10:00am we were at our first stop: Pershing Square. It is a beautiful spot right in the middle of the city skyline that was originally intended to be the “Times Square” of Los Angeles but never really developed into a thriving hot spot especially in comparison to the chaos at Kodak Theatre, etc.
From there we walked over to Olvera Street to have fresh, homemade, taquitos! LEGIT!!! The guacamole was a bit questionable but I will admit that it did taste good! Emily and I took a super cute picture (my favorite of the trip I think) – we still had GOOD HAIR and FRESH MAKEUP (the view when we got home from our adventure was NOT THE SAME! it was NOT CUTE!) – then we continued on our way.
We walked through China Town and then over to the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels which is magnificent. After having visited so many cathedrals throughout Europe, there is virtually no comparison, but we walked through the mausoleum and marveled at all the stained glass. From there we walked to the Music Center and then to the Disney Concert Hall. Disney looked AMAZING with the sun radiating on it and the garden including the rose sculpture was phenomenal. LOVED IT!
At that point it was time for some Starbucks and a short sit at the SERIOUS fountain (it has a different name, but I feel uncomfortable typing it – it is for speaking only! Ha!). This fountain was unlike anything I have ever seen…I guess the story is that it fills a reservoir and then it overflows but huge crashing waves pour down the levels until you are almost sure it is going to pour out of the fountain edge and all over the patio – but it actually flows UNDER that patio instead so you can hear and feel the rushing water under your feet without getting wet at all! AWESOME.
After catching our breath, we walked over to Angel’s Flight to catch a ride on the funicular down to the Central Market. However, on our way there we spotted the park from (500) Days of Summer and my heart skipped a beat with joy!!! It was EXACTLY like the movie – and probably the first time I’ve thought it was AWESOME to live in a place where movies are made! Megan is already begging me to take her back there for an afternoon of Urth Café and reading on those benches. I’m pretty sure there isn’t anything better!
We enjoyed our super short ride on Angels Flight – but knowing that it has been operating since 1901 is pretty spectacular. That is OLD for California!!
We walked through Grand Central Market and then pit stopped at the Biltmore (I fully plan to go back there for High Tea sometime in the not too distant future) then headed back to the car to drive over to the Farmer’s Market for lunch. We walked all through the Farmer’s Market and ultimately decided to have BBQ for lunch. I had a brisket sandwich…SUPER YUM…and Em had a pork sandwich which I think she also enjoyed.
From there we walked through the Grove and stopped in Nordstrom for Megan to try on some shoes. While there, a lady got CRAZY on the escalator. She kept exclaiming that she was in a rush and man-handling people. It was HYSTERICAL and definitely a highlight of the day! When we left the Grove, we went to Beverly Hills so Emily could get a taste of the 90210. We parked on Rodeo Drive and walked through the ritzy part of town and through ONE Rodeo Drive.
I have this thing for lampposts - I took pictures of them all throughout our summer in New Orlands, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., New York, and Ottawa...I found an AMAZING one on Rodeo Drive and just couldn't help myself!! It's my thing!
I was fascinated and truthfully puzzled by “branding” and the intrinsic value of one article of clothing over another. With our walking complete, we went to Universal City Walk just outside Universal Studios and walked through that area. We finally finished the day (totally exhausted) with dinner at Miceli’s a little family owned restaurant where the waiters and waitresses sing to you throughout your meal. It was a super fun place and if we hadn’t been so stinking tired, we probably would have stayed and listened for quite a while.
We finally made it home around 9:30pm and we had to leave the house by 4:30am to get Em to the airport – so we put John Curtis Christian t-shirts and sweatpants back on, had some ice-cream, and talked about what a fabulous trip it had been.
After a short sleep (aka. a nap) we headed to the airport and said our goodbyes. It was sad to see her go, but my heart was glad for our adventure in 2010…iloveyou EM TRAM!!! Thanks for coming to visit!!! Next time, we’ll meet in Springfield, and then tour the Valley…CAN’T WAIT!!!
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