LA, part 2

So much holiday!

The day after the desert, Finn and I made a hike of our own downtown.

They may have acres of open-air car parks, but some double as solar energy collectors!

Finn in drawing mode.

The Disney Concert Hall.

For David - the back of Frank Gehry's cladding system.

Unfortunately our downtown highlights were not photographed, but all up it was a pretty interesting experience. 

The CBD is all but deserted. Even at lunchtime around the tower blocks of offices there is hardly anyone on the street. All the buildings must be fully serviced internally, no popping out for lunch here. Well, at least not on foot.

The centre of the city has been abandoned by its creators. Broadway is lined with huge deco buildings, many which were cinemas, but it is now the jewellery district, as in crappy tacky buy-and-sell-gold storefronts, cheap cheap, but all the signs are in Spanish. Who knows if anything goes on above ground level, it doesn't really look as though it does. 

In the fashion district nothing costs more than $10. Despite there being some amazing architecture and great storefronts, most of the city is empty, it is yet to experience a revival or rejuvenation, which surprised us a lot. There was nowhere for afternoon coffee and cake, so we found our way to Little Tokyo for beer and edamame instead. And then a delicious bowl of ramen noodles at a packed out steamy little place recommended to us by one of Amy's flatmates. 

That night we picked up Biddy and went to stay with Jared at Venice beach.

He let us feed his rescued tortoise.

A day at LACMA (LA County Museum of Art)

F + B walk among some lampposts.

And get cozy with a giant sloth.

A mammoth family takes a hit in one of the tar pits.

Richard Serra blows our minds all over again.

As does this antique hardware store Jared directed us to. 

After a visit to the Museum of Jurassic Technology, we take in the sunset from a revolving bar on the 35th floor of a downtown hotel. 
The perfect end to a fantastic LA holiday.
Thanks Amy.

14 June 2011