Friday, January 27, 2006
Wholesale.
Ok what I did today.
First off the gramps and I woke and had some coffee and breakfast. I didn't complain, but instant decaf isn't my idea of coffee. We waited until after the morning rush hour had subsided (does it ever?) and started heading into LA. I wanted to check out the Los Angeles Wholesale Produce Market in East LA, because I had heard is was freaking huge. We did end up checking it out and I was not disappointed, the place was gargantuan. We were not supposed to be driving through the area, but we did anyway, because gramps and I are hardcore like that. I did all of the driving, gramps worked the Thomas Street Guide. Luckily I didn't scare grandpa (or myself) that much, even being that I was driving on the notoriously crazy Los Angeles freeway system.
After the market, we headed through east LA where Grandpa was thoroughly disappointed when he saw how that area has degraded. He was born and raised in the area, and it broke his poor heart to see that area so trashed. We drove though downtown, the entire time he was pointing out how this used to be here and that wasn't there, I think he had as much fun as I did checking out the city. He had not had a reason to be in that section of the city for a long time, so it was nice.
From there we headed to some farmer's market, which had an equal portion of old (30-40's) and new construction. It was fun they had an outdoor mall with lots of cool sculptures and fountains. It was very commercialism and for sure expensive, but nice to say the least. I was a little upset when my hazelnut machete cost me 4.50, steep and not worth it. I was in desperate need to quell the caffeine withdrawal I had gotten myself into. Grandpa told me how at the old baseball field that used to be right next to the market, he had seen Babe Ruth with his father many years back. Right before the Babe died, he was doing a circuit to promote some movie he had made, that is why he was there.
We left the market and headed up the Hollywood hills, way up to that top where I could see the enormity of the city. In every direction the city just seemed to stretch on and on, it was massive. We took a little hike, got a nice Korean couple to take a picture of us in front of the skyline. There was a guy from France that was sitting at the top of this hill with a little massage chair. He didn't speak much English and was there just giving massages for cash. Interesting way to make a living, it was probably nice to be able to spend his entire day in such a serene place. To those in the know, we were right next to the observatory, which is still closed for construction. Then we just headed back down the mountain, and over to Santa Fe Springs.
I just learned that BG is actually going to be in town three hours earlier, which kicks ass. I am glad that we do not have to wait such a long time in order to see each other. Originally she was going to be getting into town around 11:30, but now it is going to be 8:20, we actually will be able to do more than just crash when she gets in. I am a little worried that the hotel I reserved isn't the greatest, if for some reason it is just horrible and smelly, I am going to check out and find another better hotel down the street. Since I booked the tickets, 2 people have posted negative reviews of the place on Travelocity, so I hope I luck out. If nothing else we can find a hotel in a better area than just by LAX. I had chosen that hotel just due to proximity to the airport, I didn't want to drive so far at 11:30 at night.
Ok well I wont be near the internet for a while, so forgive me if my updates again become sparse and infrequent.
First off the gramps and I woke and had some coffee and breakfast. I didn't complain, but instant decaf isn't my idea of coffee. We waited until after the morning rush hour had subsided (does it ever?) and started heading into LA. I wanted to check out the Los Angeles Wholesale Produce Market in East LA, because I had heard is was freaking huge. We did end up checking it out and I was not disappointed, the place was gargantuan. We were not supposed to be driving through the area, but we did anyway, because gramps and I are hardcore like that. I did all of the driving, gramps worked the Thomas Street Guide. Luckily I didn't scare grandpa (or myself) that much, even being that I was driving on the notoriously crazy Los Angeles freeway system.
After the market, we headed through east LA where Grandpa was thoroughly disappointed when he saw how that area has degraded. He was born and raised in the area, and it broke his poor heart to see that area so trashed. We drove though downtown, the entire time he was pointing out how this used to be here and that wasn't there, I think he had as much fun as I did checking out the city. He had not had a reason to be in that section of the city for a long time, so it was nice.
From there we headed to some farmer's market, which had an equal portion of old (30-40's) and new construction. It was fun they had an outdoor mall with lots of cool sculptures and fountains. It was very commercialism and for sure expensive, but nice to say the least. I was a little upset when my hazelnut machete cost me 4.50, steep and not worth it. I was in desperate need to quell the caffeine withdrawal I had gotten myself into. Grandpa told me how at the old baseball field that used to be right next to the market, he had seen Babe Ruth with his father many years back. Right before the Babe died, he was doing a circuit to promote some movie he had made, that is why he was there.
We left the market and headed up the Hollywood hills, way up to that top where I could see the enormity of the city. In every direction the city just seemed to stretch on and on, it was massive. We took a little hike, got a nice Korean couple to take a picture of us in front of the skyline. There was a guy from France that was sitting at the top of this hill with a little massage chair. He didn't speak much English and was there just giving massages for cash. Interesting way to make a living, it was probably nice to be able to spend his entire day in such a serene place. To those in the know, we were right next to the observatory, which is still closed for construction. Then we just headed back down the mountain, and over to Santa Fe Springs.
I just learned that BG is actually going to be in town three hours earlier, which kicks ass. I am glad that we do not have to wait such a long time in order to see each other. Originally she was going to be getting into town around 11:30, but now it is going to be 8:20, we actually will be able to do more than just crash when she gets in. I am a little worried that the hotel I reserved isn't the greatest, if for some reason it is just horrible and smelly, I am going to check out and find another better hotel down the street. Since I booked the tickets, 2 people have posted negative reviews of the place on Travelocity, so I hope I luck out. If nothing else we can find a hotel in a better area than just by LAX. I had chosen that hotel just due to proximity to the airport, I didn't want to drive so far at 11:30 at night.
Ok well I wont be near the internet for a while, so forgive me if my updates again become sparse and infrequent.
# posted by Felipe : 1:51 PM
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