The tour that almost wasn't
I was very excited about joining the LA Conservancy. I had been thinking about doing some walking tours with them for a long time. I looked them up again with an idea of taking some of my students (who NEVER leave the Valley--and never get field trips) on a tour, and I was surprised that the cost for basic membership was so low. I joined right away and immediately signed up for my first walking tour--Art Deco.
But the night before the tour, as I feel asleep to the sound of rain, I thought, "Hmmm..." When I woke up the next morning to the sound of rain that hadn't paused in the night, I thought, "Really??" A period of hesitation, but then, "YES!" I was wide awake and I already had a ticket. What's a little rain to an adventure girl like me? My friend, Mitch, had just gifted me with a great umbrella the day before, so I was all set. Off I went to to the Red Line park and ride station at Universal and hopped a train downtown to Pershing Square. Easy breezy.
Even though the rain remained all but relentless for the whole day, I did NOT regret my decision!
I never bothered to check a train schedule before showing up at the Red Line (probably would have been a good idea), and it never occurred to me that I'd have to WAIT for a train. Uh-oh. I hate being late. Did I come out in the pouring rain for nothing? In the 24 minute ride from Universal to Pershing, I sent out one thought: "don't leave without me, don't leave without me." But all's well that ends well, and I managed to catch the group before they left the square. =) Gail, the docent, was gracious and welcoming.
It turned out that the rain was a great foil for looking at LA. Who knew? The city was beautiful, and I saw some amazing architecture and design--getting better acquainted with buildings I had noticed many times before and seeing some things I had never picked out of the smorgasbord that is L.A.
Remember when The Bonaventure was THE shot to set a film or TV show's locale as L.A.? I do. It seems so forgotten now, overshadowed, but even though I am almost surprised to see it reveal itself sometimes, it's still as cool to me as it ever was.
As much as I loved the Edison building, The Sun Realty, The Eastern, and the Jewelry Mart that used to be a Warner Brothers Theater, it was this building--The Oviatt--that really captured my imagination. We got to tour the penthouse, which was very cool and interesting, historically and design-wise. Amazing attention to detail.
The photos below are of the outdoor space (rooftop decks...ahh, friends, you know how much I ADORE rooftop decks!) that made me wish I was getting married!! If I were to ever get married, I would want to do it here! It is a perfect location for an L.A. girl like me.
Now I wish I had taken more pictures, but I think you get the idea. =)
I love my city!
-KM
But the night before the tour, as I feel asleep to the sound of rain, I thought, "Hmmm..." When I woke up the next morning to the sound of rain that hadn't paused in the night, I thought, "Really??" A period of hesitation, but then, "YES!" I was wide awake and I already had a ticket. What's a little rain to an adventure girl like me? My friend, Mitch, had just gifted me with a great umbrella the day before, so I was all set. Off I went to to the Red Line park and ride station at Universal and hopped a train downtown to Pershing Square. Easy breezy.
Even though the rain remained all but relentless for the whole day, I did NOT regret my decision!
I never bothered to check a train schedule before showing up at the Red Line (probably would have been a good idea), and it never occurred to me that I'd have to WAIT for a train. Uh-oh. I hate being late. Did I come out in the pouring rain for nothing? In the 24 minute ride from Universal to Pershing, I sent out one thought: "don't leave without me, don't leave without me." But all's well that ends well, and I managed to catch the group before they left the square. =) Gail, the docent, was gracious and welcoming.
It turned out that the rain was a great foil for looking at LA. Who knew? The city was beautiful, and I saw some amazing architecture and design--getting better acquainted with buildings I had noticed many times before and seeing some things I had never picked out of the smorgasbord that is L.A.
Remember when The Bonaventure was THE shot to set a film or TV show's locale as L.A.? I do. It seems so forgotten now, overshadowed, but even though I am almost surprised to see it reveal itself sometimes, it's still as cool to me as it ever was.
As much as I loved the Edison building, The Sun Realty, The Eastern, and the Jewelry Mart that used to be a Warner Brothers Theater, it was this building--The Oviatt--that really captured my imagination. We got to tour the penthouse, which was very cool and interesting, historically and design-wise. Amazing attention to detail.
The photos below are of the outdoor space (rooftop decks...ahh, friends, you know how much I ADORE rooftop decks!) that made me wish I was getting married!! If I were to ever get married, I would want to do it here! It is a perfect location for an L.A. girl like me.
Now I wish I had taken more pictures, but I think you get the idea. =)
I love my city!
-KM
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