Impression of Los Angeles: Final Day
Why, I must look like a terrorist! In MCO, I was selected to be pat down and my carry-on checked thoroughly, in LAX, I was also selected! I just don’t quite get it.
After I finished showering, packing, and checking out this morning, I headed straight for Beverly Hills. It wasn’t far at all, but in one particular intersection, the traffic was really delayed. Apparently, a couple of african americans have found a legal way of “robbing” people. They park their car on a very busy street, feign car break down, and ask for hand outs in a very aggressive manner. So aggressive, the traffic was backed up for at least 20 minutes. Almost like a tollbooth.
After enduring the insane traffic, I found my way to Beverly Hills, but as I searched for the “hot spot” of BH, I instead went up the hill, REAL hill. The mountain road wound all over the place, and I actually got kind of dizzy driving up it. The mountain air was certainly different and refreshing, and the view at the top looking down at the city was amazing. I took a few pictures, but I doubt they came out any good. I do wish there weren’t so much smoggies all over the city though, clouding the visibility.
I’m not exactly sure of what city I ended up in after driving through the canyon road, but it was getting late in the afternoon and I haven’t seen any of the Beverly Hills yet. I turned about, and found a place to park in middle of BH. As I walked about, finding Rodeo Drive, and Beverly Blvd, seeing all the cars, and how everyone dressed made me feel like an outcast. The most common expensive vehicle that I saw was Mercedes SL 500. They are so common, it’s like seeing Honda Accords.
Shops and more shops, guarded by bouncers and hired security, would be how I’d describe Beverly Hills. All designer clothing shops are represented, and hardly anyone goes in them. They all take pictures of the shop, but not going in to see what the store offers. Even though I wasn’t dressed appropriately, I went in to all of them anyway ^_^ Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Tiffany, Bally, Versace, whatever - Went into them all, and took a look see. All of them were very polite - and I didn’t encounter a single instance of “Pretty Woman” snobbism. Though… after seeing 2 or 3, they start to look the same to me ~ except for the museum store, and the crystal store =)
For lunch, I went to eat at the nearby Cheesecake Factory and had the most delicious food since arriving at LA. Yup, all the Japanese food that I had, all the Chinese food, didn’t compare to Cheesecake Factory’s miso salmon entree. Funky, no? Well, I suppose because it’s AT Beverly Hills, that they had to have a good chef cooking the salmon. It’s cooked just right - very tender and full of flavour. The plating looked awesome too.
After lunch, by chance I happened on a couple doing a puppet show. The puppetteer was a walking chimney, and did not stop smoking all through the show. He even smoked through the damn puppet! As time winds down, I realize I won’t be seeing anything more interesting at BH, and got in my car and made for Beverly Center, a huge shopping mall.
It’s kind of funny how the mall, just a few miles from Rodeo Drive, has similiar shops represented again. I went into the Sony, Nokia, and Sprint store, and left the rest alone. Went up to the terrance, and then found myself reading manga at the bookstore. Seeing store after store of clothing, is just too much for me. So bro, stop thinking I might be gay.
At around 7 pm, I started for the Hertz rental, and only stopped to pick up Yoshinoya beef bowl for dinner. Eating at the airport, finding my way into Gate 63a, and now, writing this before I board the flight in an hour or so.
Overall, I’m not too impressed with Los Angeles. It’s smoggy, it’s crowded, and there isn’t a lot to do other than the scenic stuff. Chinatown and Little Tokyo both disappointed my palate and wallet. Beverly Hills is pretty, but again - not a place to go for fun. I’m sure all the cities are similiar, but at least, it’s not crazy cold like Boston =) If I’m accepted at USC, I gotta factor in the weather!