Seeing More of LA
I decided to take another of the tours offered by the Hostel. This one was a hike in Temescal Gateway Park which is short bus ride from Santa Monica.
The hike involved a steep climb. The result was a great view over Santa Monica and up the coast to downtown LA.
As usual there were interesting people on the tour. One was a mid-twenties girl from Bristol would has taken a year off teaching. She, like so many English people I have met, is serious planning to emigrate to Australia.
Venice Beach
Arriving back in Santa Monica, I took another bus to the southern end of Venice Beach. This is the ‘edgy end’ of the beach. There are some ‘strange dudes and dudesses’ down there.
As I walked up the boardwalk, one thing I did notice was that the passing parade was all fairly old. My recollection of being there in the late 70’s and early and mid-80’s was that most of the people young. Maybe I just didn’t look at, and notice, old people.
Another thing I noticed was that no-one was riding ‘inline skates’. They were all the rage in the 80’s. They are clearly another fad that has passed. The bid thing now is skate boards. Check out the pics – amazing stuff.
Further up the beach, things get a bit trendy. There are lots of small bars selling really good craft beer. The cats used to produce ‘Bud’ and other American beers must now concentrate on catching mice.
Towards Santa Monica Pier is where the gym junkies hang out. They are good at what they do.
Buying Mobile WiFi
On Monday, I decided to buy a 4G Mobile WiFi device. It seems that the shops don’t actually have them in stock – they can show you plastic model of one. I ordered one and it was to arrive later in the day.
Hollywood stuff
I then took the bus to Hollywood Blvd. I am not sure why, but I did. It is as tacky as ever, but I guess you have to see it.
On my way back down Santa Monica Blvd, I got off the bus at the start of Beverly Hills. There is sort of park along the side of the road. It is very pleasant, however the rules related to its use, or rather lack of use, make your wonder what is the point of the park – everything seems to be banned except walking and breathing.
I walked down Rodeo Drive. Just looks at the pics, including the one of the car from the ‘Back to the Future’ film.
Getting the Wi Fi to Work
I returned to the Radio Shack stop to collect my WiFi device. It had arrived. Get it to work was another matter. The carrier, Verizon, is not able to deal with ‘pay as you go’ and foreign cards. On top of that, their systems were down.
I had to return to the shop in the morning to continue the process. Any company that makes Vodafone Australia look good has a real problem.
Getty Center
I look the bus to the Getty Center. This took me past UCLA. That is one seriously big university campus.
The Getty Center is really impressive. Just check the pictures. The staff, many of whom are really old, are great.
Remembering one of Australia’s Greatest Philistines
One of the exhibits is Jackson Pollock’s Mural. It made me recall the furor when the Whitlam Government bought his ‘Blue Poles’ for the National Gallery. That great philistine, Doug Anthony, claimed it was dreadful waste of money. It is a bit he gave up milking cows to move into politics.
Flick Links
Hike and Venice Beach
Hollywood
Getty Center
billrider2013 