around usa with happy travel
California 15
Already in California, we stopped for dinner at the famous, as it turned out later,
seafood restaurant and a little cheered up. Again, we were amused and outraged by the requirements for the availability of American documents for the purchase of alcoholic beverages, but we quickly dealt with this and were already experienced. Our dinner was amazing, it was not in vain that we stood in line at the table. We filled our flat tummies and at sunset we drove on.
And with the moon, huge and beautiful, which I had never seen before, we stopped in LA – California.
By tradition, at the entrance, we google information about the laws, weapons and crime in the new state. The reviews were different. From time to time we were accompanied by the roar of police sirens and the noise of helicopters circling above the city. So our first impressions were twofold.
Upon arrival at the hotel, Andrei and I had 2 beds in the room again. At the reception, the staff said that they have many rooms with one bed and we were kindly overpowered at no extra charge. For one, we extended our stay until the 19th.
Those who arrived at the hotels earlier took the new ones and went to dinner on the nearest beach. We arrived late. No matter how much I wanted to go to Venice Beach, the fatigue was stronger.
The hotels we check into are not far from the airport and there is literally nothing around. Enough industrial zone and slightly intimidating. There was no strength to go somewhere in the city, but there was nowhere to go. Lena went to bed because she was terribly tired, and Ruslan and Andrei and I gathered in our room to skip a glass and sketch our plan for the coming day. We had a special plan, different from the general tour. We reported in a general chat that 5 people (Ruslan, Lena, Dali, Andrey and I) had to separate from the group in the morning and asked Kira to send all the points in the aircraft so that we would not miss interesting places. Our special plan mainly included a trip to the locations of the movie “Terminator 2”, a car tour of Beverly Hills and a visit to the tattoo salon Kat Von D – High Voltage Tattoo. We marked all the places on the map, calculated the route in time and looked forward to the morning.
16.10.16 California
We woke up at 9. At breakfast, we met some new travelers, but our roads quickly parted. Having a bite we hurried to begin our own mini-tour. They took along the Dali road and drove along the prepared route.
We we’re planning to be at High Voltage Tattoo by 11:30AM. From 12 they open and receive customers in a live queue. I tried to make a reservation in advance for a certain time, but the artist I wanted did not respond to my electronic inquiries and, in the end, was I offered? on Tuesday evening, which was not the most convenient option for us. We decided to take a chance and try a live queue. The guys and I brought on time and went for a walk.
There wasn’t anyone at the salon yet – good luck! Later, 5 minutes before the opening, people began to approach, but we were the first. They immediately accepted me, looked at the design and reported the price. My design was not large, so they took the minimum cost of a tattoo from me at Kat Von D – $ 200. As soon as they called me the price, I relaxed. Everything was according to plan: I was the first in line, the price corresponded to the amount deferred by me, and, as a result, the artist did the one I wanted. While Hoi was preparing the table and printing the design, I took pictures around. The interior is cool, there is nothing to add. The interior is in the Gothic red and black vampire style, the boards of famous skaters hang from the ceiling, incredible lamps, but I did not like the designs of T-shirts and T-shirts for sale.
So the time has come! Andrei was in combat operator readiness – I asked him to take photos and videos in advance. Always better than less! Hoi appreciated my design, which was especially nice, and got started. My design idea is tied to Batman, and Hoi turned out to be a big fan of comics, so he and Andrei had something to discuss while I lay on the table without movement. The guys even laughed at me, asking if I had fallen asleep. It was funny for them, but I was scared for my straight lines, from which the artwork was entirely created. In general, it was fun and of course I am extremely happy with the result. Such a cool experience to visit the salon of a girl, the programs with which they watched in youth on TV. As a result, we chatted a little bit more with the guys from the salon, took some photos and Hoi printed out some places that he said, we should visit. I want to add that many of the Americans we met admired the fact that we crossed all of America from east to west by car. For them, this is a great feat, and for us, to be honest, too. On great emotions, we left the salon and did not know where to go. We went to the side where Khoy showed and told friends that they had freed themselves. The district was not one of the most pleasant, without a car on the street it was scary and uncomfortable. There were very few people, and if they met, they were mostly bright characters: homeless, drink-lovers and just plain weird. We did not know where to go, but somehow we didn’t want to get the phones. The guys reacted quickly in a chat and literally 10 minutes later a black Ford picked us up from the unpredictable streets of Los Angeles. At the meeting, friends reported that they had visited the Avenue of Stars – one of the most famous places, it seemed to me, which would definitely have to be visited. We heard only one comment from everyone: “you haven’t lost anything.” After some time, we ourselves were convinced of this, but more about that later. And so, we did everything, separate from the group, and the time came to reunite. We were sent the coordinates of the supermarket, where everyone gathered for food for a picnic. We bought all sorts of goodies and went to the park to have a picnic. We met some new travelers on the spot. We ate excellently, drank wine, had plenty of tea.
In general, the atmosphere was very pleasant and cheerful. After a hearty dinner, it’s time to fulfill my dream and go to Venice Beach. Andrey – our hero was driving that evening, but we didn’t heroically and didn’t refuse our fault at all. Arriving at the beach, many ran to the water. Kira encouraged everyone to swim, but not everyone had the opportunity. The sensations were unforgettable. Everything is like in the best Hollywood films: our pumped-up tanned bodies, spray of the ocean, wine in plastic glasses and endless joy. The place is certainly magical. Ask why? I do not know. Maybe because many years ago, I often did not sleep at night, connected to the Venice Beach live camera, watched people and believed that someday I would visit this beach and be sure to ride a skateboard along the paths where the legendary z-boys rode . I couldn’t ride a skateboard, so I plan to return soon. Apparent beauty on the beach is not enough, all the beauty in the hearts, dreams and hopes of the people who came and who come for Hollywood happiness and success.
