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.