Articles in the Postcards From L.A. Category
One of the things I’ve always loved about the idea of living/staying in the city is street performers.
Right now there is a saxophonist playing down in the street outside my window. He’s very good, playing a sweet jazz that is calming and enjoyable but not intrusive. A part of me wants to go down and drop a big tip into his case but another just wants to relax here, listening.
Street Performer from the corner of 7th and Flower, if you ever come across this post, I truly appreciated your wonderful music today.
I decided to give the Book Expo a miss today. My mind still whirls from the incredible experience of the Writer’s Conference yesterday and I’m kicking back in my hotel room, inspired and creative.
The city is a magical place to be a writer.
When I glance out of the window I can watch workmen on the roof across the street. Their bright shirts and hard hats reflect the sun and their sure feet walk the sloping roof and batton walkways with a confident gait. One leans down on one knee over the edge of the building to take another plank from the workman below him. No ropes, just a sureness of foot that experience commands.
Traffic shuttles through the streets below. Buses have a familiar lurch and squeel and horns blare from time to time as busy drivers scuttle about their business. Where are they going? What does this day bring to them? What life do they lead?
It is so nice to simply sit, listen, and ponder. Isn’t it amazing that doing this, right now, is considered working? Sometimes I imagine this as the life I could have had, a lonely writer sitting up in her one room apartment above the city streets, writing, and listening to life passing by down below.
Instead? This is my vacation, and I’m choosing to work because writing is deep in my heart and soul. Instead, I have so much more, and this as well. I am truly blessed.
Sincerely,
Rebecca
There is something about a man in a skirt…
Dear Reader,
Isn’t there? Today we had a chance to visit the Highland Games. In Western Australia we have an annual Highland Gathering but it is perhaps only one tenth the expanse of California’s Highland Games. Kilts from all around local regions and beyond came to share their beer and tales of glory. I couldn’t count the number of Clans attended but it was a wave of colored tartan as far as the eye could see.
The Scotts have a gift when it comes to creating a rhythm that pulses through your chest. If you close your eyes as a pipe band plays you feel like you’re listening to a lone piper, standing high on the Scottish cliffs and playing to the depth of the sea before him. The best of the best outside of Scotland were there and the music was captivating, the rhythm of the drums creating a throbbing heartbeat.
I love the lands of the isles. Ireland and Scotland both have a rich history and a proud people. The Highlanders created warmth and happiness for their families and despite their bloody history they’re a strong and proud people still.
We weren’t fortunate enough to find Haggis and for that I am glad. Despite vowing that I was willing to try it I was not looking forward to ingesting sheep guts. I may eat lamb, but I draw the line at parts of the animal that were filled with grass, highland or otherwise.
The shopping there was wonderful. I spent far more than I should but the celtic crosses, handcrafted jewelry, and medieval dresses were too fine and beautiful to resist. Of course, when my friends saw the delight I took in the Highland Games they were sorry that I had missed the Renaissance Fair that was only a week or so before. Next year, I’ll be here for that.
I’m obviously having a lovely time and tomorrow I’ll regale you with tales of the land of Disney. Stay tuned and stay safe!
Sincerely,
Rebecca
Have you ever heard that nothing but sun shines in California?
Dear Reader,
Oh! What a lie!!! It’s my third day here and I’m yet to see the sun. My friend tells me that I brought my Australian weather with me but honestly? The sun was shining back at home when I left. How can it be raining in California at the end of May? Hasn’t this state heard of spring?
Now, I’m no weather expert but I’ve noticed how strange seasons have become lately. As I flew in over the airport there was little but cloud cover to see and that was ok. Every state is entitled to an off day. Calling for a personal day for three days straight, however, just doesn’t do your tourist industry credit. We were promised sun.
Thankfully, sunshine isn’t needed to walk the path of stars and see all the freaks and weirdos coming out to entertain the gullible, facile masses. In a state that is run by a movie star, fame is the game and apparently it’s a booming industry here. If you dress up as Snoopy and stand on someone else’s footprints people will take photographs of you. I do hope these people make good money because it sounds like a miserable life to me.
You also don’t need sunshine to enjoy a movie at the Chinese Theater. I have to admit I really loved this place. The screens are huge, the surround sound perfectly pitched and while the seating and popcorn could withstand being refreshed every other decade the escapism of cinema makes you forget how distorted your back is.
The theater itself is beautiful. I’m not sure about where you are, but in Western Australia cinema is industry business. Cinemas aren’t designed to be attractive. They’re designed to be comfortable and large. They’re filled with movie posters and bad lighting. Cinemas in Western Australia are efficient, don’t get me wrong, but they’re not the experience that the Chinese Theater gives you.
So, despite the rain and the cloud, the betrayal of the ‘Sunny California’, I am loving my time here. I’ve even managed to get some writing done thanks to The Sheraton’s wireless internet access.
It’s off to the Highland Games today! Any suggestions for what sightseeing I should do while I’m here?
Sincerely,
Rebecca
It is easier to get into America than it is to get out of Australia.
Dear Reader,
I don’t know if the above statement is always true but it was for me this trip. After a very long (12 hour) flight from Sydney to L.A., it was a simple walk through to get past customs and out to the beautiful Cloud and Rain!
Despite being long and tiring the flight was enjoyable. I met another great person, a guy from Perth who had been to L.A. before and was kind enough to let me have the window seat for take off and landing. I actually found it an ideal situation because being on the isle was handy for bathroom breaks but I still got to see the sites.
I can’t say I got much sleep but I did see a couple of good movies I’d been wanting to watch and as we approached L.A.X I chatted with the guy who gave me his tourist map of L.A.
But then, the weird part came. We landed safely and taxied in, came down and queued for customs. The queue moved quickly with each Australian simply having a finger scan and photograph taken. A woman had moved through the queue checking everyone had filled in their papers correctly so after handing those over it was straight to the carousel and out of the door in search of my hotel shuttle.
No scans, no cavity searches, no bomb scanning, nothing. I had to tweak my luggage at Perth Airport, new the routine when I did it again at Sydney airport, had a bomb residue test, walked through two metal detectors. That was just to get out of first my state and then my country. To get into America? None of that. I thought security here was tough? I suppose they simply hope that Australian customs did a decent job of checking us over before we boarded.
Well, the good news is I’m NOT a terrorist and despite the rain (What is up with THAT, Sunny California?) am already loving my time here.
Sincerely,
Rebecca
Dear Reader,
I’m bursting with excitement and would love to share it so if you are at all voyeuristic then today is your lucky day, read on. I woke Thursday morning with a heavy onset of dread. My belly was rocked with disquiet and I pulled my already packed luggage out and repacked it all, certain I must have forgotten something.
After a few last minute shopping expeditions I was satisfied that I really was prepared for this next great adventure in my life. I settled into a computer game (to take the edge off the anxiety) and hours later joined my extended family for dinner. My mother is watching my two young children and on the drive to the airport they clung to me. It was both exciting and heart wrenching to be saying goodbye. Two weeks may seem like a lifetime since I’ve never been away from them before.
Despite a few hours wait in the Perth departure lounge I boarded without issue. I even aced an explosives detection test and passed the first scanning point with no beeps. My seat was cramped and almost in the tail of the plane. An isle seat I might add which was uncomfortable and far too small. Planes are not designed for ample bodies.
The flight was uneventful and while I couldn’t sleep well I managed a few fitful dozes. I was seated next to a lovely Australian couple returning after six weeks working vacation in Perth to their home in Sydney. They were knowledgeable fliers and even offered me the window seat for the landing so that I could see Sydney from the air at sunrise.
Now, I’m sitting in Sydney airport with less than an hour until I board the super long, 20 hour flight from Sydney to California. Nervous, and excited. This time I’m more prepared. I’ve kept my gum handy, stocked up on my own water and will put my bags under the seat instead of in the compartment.
Who knows, perhaps I’ll even manage to get some sleep on the next round of this trip. I hope you are all fairing well with your own writing adventures.
Sincerely,
Rebecca
