Beverly Hills, Bel Air and Santa Monica

Yesterday I was the most time with Manijeh, the wife of my Uncle Iraj. I begged Sepi and Manijeh as well to go from Chatsworth to Studio City (where my uncle lives) with the bus. Of course, both would be ready to bring me resp. to pick me up. But I wanted to test LA Metro and so Sepideh and Kevin took me to Ventura Blvd/Reseda Blvd where the bus stop is. First I wait at the wrong one for the metro local buses, but when the metro rapid No. 750 arrived I saw it and ran to the correct one. The bus had air condition and wasn’t full or even late. It was a bit less comfortable then in Germany, but still OK. The bus didn’t have a stop button (if you want exit next station), but a line (like a laundry line) at the window which you pull instead. The announcements was very silent and I couldn’t recognize a pattern why they mentioned some stations and others not. Also they haven’t any information about departure times or bus routes at the bus stops. But you can pick a plan inside the bus or visit metro.net. On the other hand they have a bike rack in front of the bus, so you can take your bike with you on the bus every time. After a smooth ride on the Ventura Blvd I arrived at Laurel Canyon and from there I called Manijeh. I bought a Los Angeles Times and wait for her. Unbelievable how boring the LA Times is. I couldn’t find the articles between the ads. And also I missed a structure like I know from newspapers in Europe.

Manijeh found me easily and we drove to their house up in the hills. We was sitting outside. On the chairs still was some ashes from the Los Angeles wildfire. A hummingbird surrounded us and tried to pick up fruits from the tree (there were lemon trees, too). She took me after a coffee to West Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Bel Air. We drove through Sunset Blvd, Maple Drive and other famous places. The rich and their houses, you know. After this we drove via Brentwood to Pacific Palisades and (next to?) Malibu. Please check out the recent uploaded pictures in Picasa. We had lunch at Gladstones which was nice. We had our table on the balcony overlooking the ocean. When we left the restaurant a homeless asked me, if I would sell my leftovers to him for a dollar. I just gave it to him.

After Gladstones we head south to Santa Monica. We parked the car and walked down the 3rd street promenade. This was the first pedestrian area I saw. It was Wednesday, so there was Farmers Market at Arizona Ave/2nd Street. Manijeh bought grapes and wanted to buy eggplants, but the seller said he isn’t allowed to sell after half past one. From Arizona Ave it was only a hop to the Santa Monica beach. We walked aside the beach up to Santa Monica Pier. Maybe you know this pier from some movies. Their is a Ferris feel, the Pacific Park and much more just on this small pier. The view is beautiful and the wind is fresh.

We just was walking more then a hour, so we went back to the car and drove home. This was the first time I had the pleasure to meet LA traffic (jam), but after a while we was back save in Home, Sweet Home Studio City. I watched a bit TV until my uncle came back from work. Again another first time see. I saw Manijeh this day first time in my life and think I saw uncle Iraj over 20 years ago in Germany. I can’t remember him, but his gift. It was a police car (or KITT, who knows) with flashing lights. I went to the bathroom (without windows) and turned the lights of to could enjoy the lights. I also remember I broke this amazing gift in just one day…

I took a picture of him, too. But the cam is so poorly, you must wait until I got the pictures from Amu Irajs camera.

Venice Beach, Hollywood and Disneyland

Saturday was family day. I everybody came around and I met my cousins Roya, Arezoo and Omid again. I saw Roya and Arezoo 10 years ago, when they visited us in Germany. But I didn’t saw Omid since he leaved Germany in 1988. Later Sepi, Kevin and myself go out for Lunch in Sushi-Restaurant in a mall. Everzthing is here so huge. From the meals over the malls up to the cars. I brought a power adapter for UK instead US, so we went to Fry’s to buy one. Unfortunately it doesn’t hold my chargers tight enough so I will get another one. In the evening we chill a bit around the pool.

Because a lot of guys asked me: They delivered my lost suitcase to our house on Friday night. And I didn’t recognize anything which might be a Jet-lag.

On Sunday morning we met all together at Country Deli for breakfast. Deli is short for delicatessen and they might have some, but as far as I saw it was a restaurant with a really good breakfast. We met there early, so we are there before the Church people. I had bagel, omelette, pancake, … But before we could start eating we needed take a lot of pictures of everybody (uploads later). Take care of your coffee cup. They refill it very fast. Oh, and they have advertisement in the menu. Like in a magazine. And choices. “I want a bagel.” “Toasted” “Which kind of bagel”…

After breakfast Kevin drove a little around Chatsworth and showed me some landmarks. Back at home Roya prepared Esfand dudkardan. She heated dried harmal capsulesit over a gas flame until they popped. She moved it three times over our heads. This is a ritual to spread health and good spirit. We all had a lot of fun.

Venice Beach

Later at afternoon we drive to Venice Beach. It’s a long beach at the Pacific, where a lot of small shops and traders are. They sell souvenirs, clothes, shoes, paintings, music or promote the medical usage of Marijuana. A lot of Hippies and other funny strangers. You can let them predict your future, buy sun glasses or got your daily dosis of Botox just in half a mile. I also see muscle beach, some kind of outdoor fitness center. They have some facilities for sports (like squash) and leisure, which everybody can use. Royas and Arezoos dogs had a lot fun, like us. We just walked two hours and then got back to our car.

Hollywood and Westwood

After a nice dinner with Sepi, Kevin, Arezoo and Marc at Stonefire Grill Omid picked me up for a trip to Hollywood and area. I saw the stars (quite disappointing) and there are still flowers and a couple of people around the one of Micheal. It was nice to driving around there and Bevery Hills, but we (Omid picked up his friend Sam, too) went to an Arab cafe in Westwood. The name was Habibi (Love you or My Dear) like every Arab Restaurant I know in Cologne. We ordered a Hookah and – because they didn’t serve drinks – a mint tea. Quite an halal outgo, but we had fun. I was at 12AM back at home, ’cause the next day we want to go to …

Disneyland

Next to LA, in Anaheim is the original Disneyland. It’s the one Walt Disney himself planned and built. I had breakfast with Sepi, Kevin and Arezoo at Western Bagel and then we drove to the land of kids dreams. The first ride we did was Pirates of the Caribbean. In the seat in front of us was a family with a young girl, maybe three years old. From the beginning she was scared and uncomfortable. And then the ride start and everything was dark, scary voices, skeletons etc. The poor tripped-out totally. We all was sad about her and tried to cheer her up, but she was scared down to her bones.

Our next ride was Splash Mountain, a log flume. I sat in front of the log, Kevin and Sepi behind me. This was a funny, wet ride. My shirt was totally wet and my pants to. Kevin the lucky hidden his self behind me to stay dry. But it was a sunny day and after a short period my clothes was dry. We took a few other rides, like Jungle Cruise, Matterhorn (roller coaster) and Indiana Jones. Because it was Monday we didn’t must wait long time for the rides. We had burritos and enchiladas for lunch. The food was ok, but it was really expensive. After we did all the main attractions we tried Innoventions out. We was welcomed by Tom Orrow. It was like huge show room for ambient intelligence. Companies like Microsoft and Siemens presented their stuff. I know all these technology, but it was interesting how they presented it to a broad public. Disneyland is nothing special from their rides, in Phantasialand you got similar one, but this theme park has it on touch. Of course, the Disney branding, but also the concept of small town, Main Street, parade, railway and so on. I had fun and it was something like observing local culture. If you prefer crazy rides you should try another park, but for kids up to 14 it’s perfect.