THURSDAY | It was a painfully slow arrival into LA due to the traffic. We crawled along the highway until finally Samantha gave us permission to veer off. Waiting smack bang in front of us as we waited on the exit ramp was the holiday sign, which made the frustration disintegrate. We checked into our West Hollywood abode and lounged around in the comfort of our living room until our French roommate returned home. After exchanging chit chat with her we bailed out into Santa Monica Blvd and wandered down the street trying to locate an appetising dinner option. After a stroll through the pumping gay district we finally settled on a corn restaurant that was flooded by hot young things in active wear. Post dinner we continued our stroll before retreating home to the comfort of our bed. FRIDAY | With only one full day in LA and a list of sites Ash was keen to see we were up with the sun. After a shower and breakfast at home we decided to live like locals and hit up the bus stop. 45 minutes on the bus meant we passed a portion of LA staples such as Rodeo Drive and the Capitol Records Building. By mid-morning we had reach our destination: Santa Monica Pier. Although the sun was out the wind was chilly so after a walk around all the pier we started our walk to Venice Beach. It was longer than we had anticipated but the roller skaters, outdoor gyms and tourists struggling to ride bikes made the journey entertaining. As we edged closer to Venice Beach we detoured to a café for lunch where we continued to enjoy all the people watching. Post consumption we were ready to tackle the tourist doused Venice Beach that included the pop-up street stalls, the skate park and the street performers before veering off the main path to explore the canals. The real estate that lined the shallow green opaque waterway were all uniquely divine. Each one oozed character and so under the mid-afternoon sun we strolled and contemplated a life where we lived behind one of the charming facades. After a day spent exploring we headed to the rooftop bar EP+LP for a refreshment. The demographic of the patrons was young, attractive, fit and stylish. Instead of standing out we faded into the background to the extent of being invisible. Waiting at the bar to be served was lengthy and the server dishing out free chips and dip passed by us on multiple occasions without once dropping off any food for us. We were so invisible to those around us mingling and social climbing none one batted an eyelid when I struck up a skype conversation with my sister in Shanghai. Drinks consumed and long distance call made we bailed and headed down to Koi for dinner. Koi turned out to be a swanky dimly light Japanese restaurant where we indulged in multiple platters of fresh seafood and fancy sushi. We sipped on cocktails as each course was rolled out in front of us. By the end of the meal we found ourselves having to roll back up the hill through the back streets of to our accommodation. Upon returning home we were confronted with the site that our day in the sun had resulted in some angry sunburnt skin for Ash and a slight tinge for me. Lotion applied we tucked ourselves into bed exhausted from a day on our feet.
SATURDAY | After a slight sleep in we once again packed our bags, piled back into Tyson and navigated the LA traffic out into the up and coming trendy neighbourhood of LA : Silverlakes. As we circumnavigated the back streets trying to find a park we noticed all the hipsters descending in the one direction. Curiosity sparked we parked, grabbed an ice latte and followed the crowd. They lead us to a pop-up market that combined vintage cloth stores, farmers fresh produce and local designers and product markers. We shopped up big at one of the jewellery stores with both of us getting rings (according to Ash this our friendship commitment rings) and I also picked up a simple gold anklet. Rocking our new purchases, we wandered up and down the strip before settling on Cliffs Edge for brunch. The leafy patio was filled to the brim when we arrived so we popped up at the bar for a beverage as we waited for a table to clear. The indoor interior was a funky fusion of country and Moroccan so waiting for our table was a visual pleasure. Having paid our waiting dues, we were ushered to our table where we indulged in a long delicious lunch. I went with smoked salmon & poached eggs whilst Ash enjoyed fried chicken and waffles. Stomachs satisfied we could have easily gone for a nap but instead we headed back to the car ready to hit the road to our next destination up in outskirts of LA.
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