LA bebe.

 

I start my journey in the US, first stop LA.

Heads up that this will be a long one, along with my LA ventures there has also been a fair amount of learnings that I feel compelled to share. Because this is my blog and I get to decide.

I landed after a long flight in the evening in LAX. My first impressions: LAX is scary. For first time LAXers, their passport control ask you many questions. Be prepared. I thought I was going to have to whip out my laptop and show him my spread sheet (how embarrassing) but jokes on him because my spread sheet is both multifactorial (so many tabs) and accurate AF. I was secretly disappointed he let me through based off a screen shot of my LA accommodation address. It was chaos leaving LAX and I wondered momentarily if I would actually leave the airport at all or if I should just jump on the next flight home #dramaqueen. Luckily I found the cabs after four long minutes of anxiety. I was jetlagged AF and my eSim not functioning correctly (user error) so sue me.

My older sister told me prior to leaving that the travel would mean I wouldn’t sleep the first night in, so I took some melatonin and the sleep easy tablets she had given me herself (she’s a pharmacist) and I slept like a baby for 9.5 hours. I win!

I kicked off my LA experience like a true-blue tourist and started in Hollywood. I didn’t expect to enjoy it so much! Flashing lights and fresh fruit everywhere ermergherd. The world’s best Uber driver (big call for day 1 but I stand by it) took me to the best Hollywood Sign photo spot, took super grammable pics for me and gave me all kinds of tips and tricks! What. A. Legend.

I finished my Hollywood day with a trip up to the Griffith Observatory, much wow factor, and a hike up to the Mount Hollywood Summit. For the runners, a definitely runnable (but I walked) dirt trail with impressive views over LA. Almost 5km round trip with 165m elevation. There are 250000000 (approx.) trails in Griffith Park, many leading straight to the Observatory. I recommend.

My next adventure was a hike along Westridge Trail in the Topanga Ranges. Again, one of hundreds of hikes/trail runs you could do here. WT was, again, runnable (based on the fact that I witnessed several people, and a few dogs, running – like fools), but I walked because it turns out I’m not about that life. It’s uphill almost the whole way out, I can only assume that the people who run this are psycho’s that want to see the world (and their quads) burn. So, regular trail runners I guess. It’s a well maintained gravel trail 11.5km return. Arguably, the views are better along the trail than the ‘summit’ but there is a nice observation deck with 360 degree views at the park. Well worth bringing your lunch (like I did, absolute boss move) as there are picnic tables and a toilet block at the top. Things almost unravelled when I saw a snake whilst scoffing my salad, time to scram! I thought my day was heading further south upon return when I couldn’t get an uber back down the mountain. Fortunately, some kind locals rescued me and drove me back to civilisation! My first hitch hike! They were so lovely and even recognised my aussie accent off the bat (something I am shooketh that other LA locals have not). These lovely people informed me that the snake I saw was completely harmless. But as I suffer from a phobia all snakes pose a very severe risk to my health and well-being – IYKYK.

I forgot to mention that I managed the Metro without drama (hi five!) A stranger told me I was beautiful and I witnessed many kinds of interesting people that I shall not speak about. On the same day I got ID’d at the first pub I walked into, so all in all an excellent day for confidence.  

For the runners, I’m staying in Ocean Park which is halfway between Santa Monica and Venice Beach. I’ve been running along the beach most mornings. It’s flat and there is a path for pedestrians and a path for bikes which is nice. There is plenty of people out early (but less than throughout the day) and it’s a great place to run. There are also toilets every few hundred metres, handy! The beach path is several kilometres long, good for all running (and walking, cycling, skating etc). Ocean Park appears to be where normal locals live (normal locals with a lot of money), I like being out of the main tourist hubbub but also close enough to walk (if I’m in a good mood) to either Venice or Downtown Santa Monica. Ocean Park has plenty of places to eat/drink/play and I could have easily never ventured farther.

U.S things I am not yet over – handing your credit card over to wait staff at bars. They take it when you first order and don’t give it back until you're ready to leave. Wild. I was ready to chase the poor waitress down (I’d had a few wines) and yell “gimme back my card!” but I didn’t which is lucky as it would have caused a scene for sure #cookedaussie

Also, I keep saying ‘take-away’ instead of ‘to-go’. Also, ‘holiday’ instead of ‘vacation’ like a silly Australian.

I have ordered two coffee’s so far. Both have been stronger than expected, rookie mistake in ordering a ‘regular’ first go. It was enormous. Small is a must. I also ordered a vanilla cold brew today, it was a bit yuck IMO but ask me again before I leave the US.

Continuing on with things I actually did – I took a tip from the aforementioned uber driver to visit the Getty Centre/Museum. Oh my wow, what a place. Like almost every art museum I have ever stepped foot in, the historical art is largely lost on me other than the odd painting that I find quirky or amusing for reasons unintended by the artist. There is however a large photography exhibit and plenty of sculptures which are far more up my alley! The estate (if that is even a fancy enough word) is spectacular. The architecture, fountains, gardens and 360 degree views over LA were something else. To my great amusement, there were influencers everywhere and oh my are they a sight to behold the wild. Amazingly, it’s entirely free of charge to attend! The $0 entry fee even includes a cute tram ride up the mountain! It’s the best $0 I have spent in a long time.

A side story, I was approached by a staff member in the art section (who actually told me what art was good in his room – honestly this should happen in every room, it would save a lot of time pretending to look impressed) who was curious if English was the only language I spoke as he thought I might have been Persian! I can’t tell if this is a sad reflection on the lack of cultural awareness of Americans or if I am more exotic in appearance than I thought. Probably the former. I am not Persian. But if anyone has any thoughts on this matter I would be interested. See below for my fav snaps of The Getty!

At this point (day 4) I have not walked less than 30000 steps in a day. I keep saying things like ‘I’ll get an uber home tonight’ but then I just start walking and then halfway home start cursing myself for walking because my leggies are aching and the last km is uphill why Sandy why. The main area of Santa Monica is around 2.6km from my accommodation which happens to be the exact distance whereby I will walk but I don’t necessarily want to. So tonight, I took a scooter and it was a great decision other than a mild axing of my shin but I had to shake it off Taylor Swift style because a herd of teenagers saw it #staycool Nb: no tibia's were badly harmed in the making of this blog. 

This morning on my morning walk to get coffee a car with two men in it driving past yelled out to me

“Hey girl you quite pretty, ok you have a good day now” and honestly I was just so blown away with the manners on them.

 

I spent my last full day in Downtown LA (Dtla). I started at Grand Park (Grand is a shocking overstatement but it’s a nice urban park) where I summoned the courage to order at Starbucks and enjoyed my somethingwithcoffee at the water fountains which was quite lovely. I wandered past the Walt Disney building which was cool AF but I had to keep walking as I had a reservation next door at The Broad; the contemporary art museum. Contemporary art is definitely much more my vibe and The Broad is a very cool place although the staff need to relax (twice I had them tell me “Don’t stick you head in the exhibit” like, yes no kidding you bloody potato) but I guess they need to add value to their workday. The comically large table and chairs was my favourite exhibit. Google it. I had lunch at the Grand Central Market and had my first taste of American pizza – delicious, it was this much good *holds hands a part at full extension* and I can’t wait for more. GCM was great, probably should have got Mexican food but I participated in Taco Tuesday, back on Tuesday, so I decided to mix things up. Dtla is not bad but you don’t need more than half a day to see it unless you are seeing a show.

The only negative thing I have to say about LA – the sun is never out at the beach. Seriously. It’s warm, sunny and low-mid twenties in the city and back to low teens at the beach. It’s infuriating. I did not expect to be cold in LA but it’s puffer jackets of an evening temperatures and I find that surprising.

All in all, a great first stop that I’ve really enjoyed. Next stop, the desert! I won’t be whinging about the cold for much longer.