What better way to start our first full day in LA than with a spot of shopping??? The morning was bright and sunny as we again braved the crazy LA freeway system to get to the Citadel Outlet Shopping Centre, which in heavy traffic took over 90 minutes. The traffic here is nuts: there is no peak hour because it is peak hour all the time. Chris is becoming very proficient at navigating the roads over here and I am slowly beginning to relinquish my white-knuckle grip on the dashboard.
Back to the shopping: OH....MY....GOD....I was in heaven. Citadel has over 100 shops and the most luxurious public toilets I have ever visited in my life. The cubicle had a little rack behind the cistern for you to stow your shopping while you do your business - ingenious! I made a beeline for Torrid, which caters to plus-sized women, and dove straight into the sales racks, nabbing a pair of jeans, two pairs of leggings, a vest and a singlet top for only $57. I could have spent another hour in there trying things on but Chris was getting restless, so we paid up and headed off. Next it was Chris's turn. While I headed off to get a coffee to slake the thirst I worked up shopping for me, Chris willingly shopped for himself. By the time I got to the shop he was trying on numerous items uncomplainingly and accepting help from sales staff (gasp!). He even spent more than I did! Will wonders never cease!
When we emerged from Citadel the sun was high in the sky and the day had turned hot. Chris put the top down on our convertible and we cruised down to Santa Monica for lunch. As you do. We parked and walked down to Santa Monica Pier, which also happens to be the end point of the old Route 66 which ran from Chicago to Los Angeles. Of course it is tragically touristy with everything from cheap hats to having your name written on a grain of rice available for sale, but the views from the pier along the coastline are amazing. We then drove to Venice Beach but beat a hasty retreat; the vibe was seedy, much like Surfers Paradise during Schoolies Week. I was aware that Venice is known for it's quirkiness, but I wasn't prepared for the seediness. After Venice we headed towards Malibu to see how the other half lives. The drive along the Pacific Coast Highway is less than attractive, but we did drive past some very impressive beach houses that were hogging the beachfront.
And that was our day folks. I have to be honest, I'm not enjoying LA as much as I did San Francisco. The city seems incomprehensible and inaccessible to me in a way that SF was not and it is not as beautiful either. The city is so sprawling that I'm finding it hard to get my bearings. It doesn't feel as safe as SF either which I think is adding to my discomfort. Hopefully the longer we are here the better I will be able to get a feel for the place.
Tomorrow: Disneyland!!
Vxxx
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