Wednesday 12 October 2011

walk awhile with me & share the wonderous worlds i've known

“The bridge will only take you halfway there, to those mysterious lands you long to see. Through gypsy camps and swirling Arab fair, and moonlit woods where unicorns run free. So come and walk awhile with me and share the twisting trails and wondrous worlds I’ve known. But this bridge will only take you halfway there. The last few steps you have to take alone.”
– Shel Silverstein

my month in california has come to an end.
isnt it strange how time has this amazing ability to pass both quickly and slowly at the same time?
well, as i was so kindly reminded by the streets of LA, all things are relative.


time is of course no exception.
and while my time here is over, and has passed at a glacial pace as well as in the blink of an eye, i have been looking back and taking some time to reflect.
there has been good, and bad, and simply ok.
i have been to the mountains, the valleys and to the ocean, and i have compiled some lists and as always, probably too many pictures.

and so, with that in mind, here is my time in California in lists and in pictures:

the highlights
1. napa
perhaps the wineries were not explored, maybe the mountains were not hiked, and maybe the wine bars were not experienced. but it doesnt matter.
napa is on this highlight list because it is a place that i would certainly come back to.
i want to experience the wine train, taste a grape straight from the vine, and re-walk the alleys of downtown.
this is a re-visit and i would recommend this place to anyone.

2. whole foods
yes, we have this at home, i know.
but here in LA there is one around the corner. and have i taken advantage? yes.
as a wise friend once said, "it looks like whole foods exploded in your fridge... how cliche"
indeed.
i will miss my easy access to this grocery store and my daily trips to the comprehensive salad bar. i will miss a whole area of vegan food and garlic and saffron rice. i will miss my fridge being well stocked on works dime.
i ate well and healthy thanks to whole foods.

3. my re-newed love of friendship bracelets and craftiness
being away from my friends and family has allowed me to explore some potential for excellent crafting in the future (ie. moccasin alteration and this: http://unsimpleliving.wordpress.com/2011/08/02/melted-crayon-art/)
as well as a huge love for the friendship bracelet revival.
colourful string is apparently my bestie on the road.

4. buenos dias sabrina
having a friend visit is always incredible.
having a friend visit at the perfect time? priceless.
3 days of adventure, singing in cars, exploring alley ways, roof top parties and lounging on beaches.
the past few days must have an abrieviated highlight reel of its own:

a) el matador beach

a secluded, secret beach of pacific hwy 1 just outside of malibu, el matador beach is home to brilliant sea birds, starfish, waves crashing against the shore, secret caves, and secluded beaches.
good company doesnt hurt anything either.

b) a romantic ride on the solar powered ferris wheel
ok, well maybe it wasnt especially romantic, but it was a ferris wheel. and it was on the santa monica pier.
and it did over look the ocean and the ride involved sunset. so maybe it was a little romantic.


c) the getty museum


a mixture of hillside, gardens, architecture, city and gardens. the getty is a tour on the outside is just as interesting as the art filled rooms upon rooms on the inside.
this place was the pleasant ville of museums. white people, dressed in white, with white umbrellas.
i did like it, but i think i prefer a little bit more of a boho feel in museums.

d) brunch at bottega louie
visit the website.
drool for yourself.
picture sex & the city-esque brunch.


4. LA street art

there is a difference between street art and graffiti. between mess and beauty.
la street is a fantastic blend of political and social commentary and beauty.
the arts district in la has the most fantastic art.
i will share a few of my favourites:




5.  venice beach
the ridiculous amounts of jersey shore clothes, bright colours, roller blades, long boards, jewelery... amazing. i will not soon forget venice beach.
i actually returned to venice beach during my stay here, at night with the brilliant sabrina.
the abandoned beach had a totally different feel. it was definitely sketch.

but low and behold, a firey beacon called us from above, and we found ourselves on top of a hotel with outdoor fire lanterns overlooking the greater los angeles area.
totally pretentious and moonlit, this was yet another different venice, complete with aerial views of police cruisers combing the beach and lapd helicopters using their spotlight on the boardwalk.
aaaaah venice....

6.  being confused as a california girl.
aaaah the day came.
strolling about town and having someone ask me for directions.
this is how the convo went:
angelina jolie: "hello there! i seem to be lost, can you point me in the direction of the kodak theatre"
me: "oh im sorry! im not from here actually!"
a.j: "no way! with the sweetly styled blond hair, excellent accessories and overall efortlessly chic appearance i thought you were a california girl"
me: "ooooh ange, thanks but i am but a pasty gal from toronto with dreams of looking like palo alto gal"

exagerated? slightly.
but, someone did ask for directions, asked me where i was from and told me i looked like a californian.
so no, i am sorry, i did not get a chance to properly document the awesome dress styles of the locals, but i did witness it for a month, and i guess it rubbed off.


there were of course frustrations along the way and reasons that would have me not want to come back to california, but resolution #11 states: be positive.
i will take these highlights, and the many others that i did not list and keep them as my memories of sunny california, and leave behind the negativity.
being grateful can come in many different ways, and i do feel lucky and thankful for these 3.5 weeks here on the coast.

fare thee well california, and now onto the great white north... vancouver tomorrow.


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