About ME
Hi!
I'm Mara, thanks for visiting my blog! I will be traveling around the world for the next years and explore amazing places in different countries! I am always seeking Adventures, Good Food, Martial Arts Experiences, Unique and sometimes Weird Stuff. \(^o^)/
LOS
ANGELES
The City of Angels, I finally made it! I remember when I was around 13, I had my bags packed, a ticket bought from my hardly earned Summer job money and was ready to take off. Unfortunately, I didn’t make it to the Airport because of a very convincing friend. And now, 10 years later, I’m finally here.
LA itself is not a smashing city, but it has it’s spots spread all over the huge cake. Naturally, one of the most famous spots is The Venice Beach, but there are also other places I really liked a lot. For example there’s a China Town, a Koreatown, a little Tokyo in one City - how awesome is that?! Besides that there are many other things to see! Let’s get into it!
HOW TO GET AROUND
Getting around in LA is a thing. LA has the worst traffic I've seen so far and I've been to Mumbai and Taipei, where they literally just drive everywhere, even on sidewalks! So, if you are only staying in LA for a couple days I would recommend you to get around by taking the Metro or use UBER or Lyft. Rent a car only if you want to take trips to for example LAS VEGAS, PALM SPRINGS or even SAN FRANCISCO.
I was on my way from SANTA BARBARA and made a stop at a gym, when I got the notice that there was a free concert in LA. So, I hurried to finish my training, jumped in the car and just drove blindly.
No big; “Hello Los Angeles, Here I Am” - just parking my car, somewhere close by. Parking in LA is kinda tricky if you're on a budget. It's true, you can park on the side of the streets, but only if there is a sign...and there are tons of them and all kinds of. Here some examples:
There are also other Parking possibilities:
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Individual Parking Meters
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Pay Stations for Street Parking
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Parking Garages and Lots - also overnight parking starting from 10$
***There are Street Parking Apps, that use colors to show your chances of finding street parking***
CITY HALL
After I figured out a parking spot, I almost ran through the night streets towards the CITY HALL. I missed practically all acts and just came right in time for Mike Shinodas performance. When he then announced his special guest, I almost made a flip. For the third time in just a couple month, I heard Takas voice live. I was at the One Ok Rock concert in Switzerland and when I had work in Paris, I was invited for the concert there too and now he was again, on the stage, giving an amazing encore with “Where’d You Go”.
There couldn’t have been a more perfect Welcome – maybe if I wouldn’t have missed acts like Jay Park, but you can’t have it all >.<!
DOWNTOWN
I stayed in DOWNTOWN and started the next day by exploring the neighborhood. I had no plan and just walked, happy to leave the car and traffic jam behind. I came across the LACMA, Los Angeles County Museum of Art and found out that the entry was free, you just had to wait in line. Well, lucky me there was no line!
FOODIE SPOT
So? Do you recognize it? It’s the ANGELS FLIGHT, the historic funicular from La La Land! And right across the street is the GRAND CENTRAL MARKET. I almost ran through the crowds to reach the place I had marked big on my #MustEatList: EGG SLUT! Time for breakfast!
DO YOU KNOW THAT?
After a visit in the museum, I walked around a little more and suddenly stood in front of a familiar sight:
WALK OF FAME
Today was the most touristic day planned, but I figured I had to see it once! So I took the Metro and as soon as I got out the Station I already stood on one of the Pink Stars of the HOLLYWOOD WALK FO FAME. The sellers at the stores didn't have a hard time to figure out the tourists among the people and I, I admit, was one of those looking at the ground, trying to catch every name on every single star. They were all there, the heroes of my childhood!
TCL
When I finally detached my eyes from the ground I was across the TCL CHINESE THEATRE building. It looked just like straight out of Rush Hour - of course, because the scene was filmed there! I also found the Hand and Foot Prints of Sylvester Stallone, who is actually only 1.77m. Still huge from my point of view ^.^
Thera are a few Hostels located near the Hollywood Walk of Fame, if you travel there on a budget, this would be a good choice of location.
PARK
I also spend some time working out and run around the RUNYON CANYON PARK. If you have time and enough motivation you should really take a run! Who knows, you might past or will be past by a celebrity >.<
>>> learn everything you need to know about running and how to start // Runners Guide
ANOTHER GREEN SPOT
Another pretty green sport in LA is the ECHO PARK. I walked around the lake a couple of times and hung out at the BEACON restaurant which has a variety of delicious healthy meals and was mentioned in different magazines.
>>> Healthy choices in Restaurants // stay fit during your vacation
GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY
One more La La Land #FilmingLocation; The GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY with an amazing VIEW on LA. Park on the foot of the hill and walk it up or take the shuttle bus, but it’s really not that far for walking. I would recommend you to visit the HOLLYWOOD SIGN afterwards, if you like to. You can spot it from the Griffith Observatory on the right-hand side.
RODEO DRIVE
Something else you should see is the RODEO DRIVE, where you can shop all the known high-end fashion brands. Although very few of us mortals can afford it - unless you’re as lucky as Pretty Woman >.<
CITY HALL
And of course I visited LITTLE TOKYO as often as possible ^.^
CHINA TOWN
A famous person expected me in the CHINA TOWN district, where I, naturally, had some Bubble Tea and some Sesame Candy.
BEACH
I had to remind myself, that I didn’t have come to LA just to hang out in Asian areas and so finally, on the last day, I headed to the famous SANTA MONICA PIER.
Another point on my #ToDoList#ToDoList is checked, as I cruised from SANTA MONICA PIER down to VENICE BEACH on my Skateboard. A guy on a bike even offered me a lift and I hung at his arm, while doing some small talk. I really figure that stuff out. Small Talking.
>>> how to meet people while traveling // Social Life
