Sunset beach

The hit show from the 1990s was actually filmed at 'Seal beach' down in Orange County. Pointless fact there for you.

Coming back to the highlight of this post, Richard and I enjoyed our own beach sunset yesterday. It's been 6 weeks since we arrived in LA, but the first time we ventured down to the beach to actually witness the sun setting. Definitely worth it as the photos show.

Loads of surfers testing their skills and tourists collecting their own holiday snapshots. It might have taken us 6 weeks to appreciate it, but I don't think we could ever take the view for granted.

Moving on

In a couple of weeks we move out of Marina Del Rey, into an apartment in West Los Angeles. I picked up the keys yesterday and we dropped off a few things today. It's considerably warmer in our new location than 3 miles down the road by the coast, but that's where the air conditioning helps :).

There is a lot of storage in the apartment which is ironic considering we don't have a lot of stuff! I'll have to remedy that...  The apartment also features a fireplace - inexplicably - so as nice as that is, it'll probably remain out of use.

Update: 4 August 2012

Well, it's been a busy week here for the Parkinsons. On Monday I met with the Director of Operations for a charity based in Santa Monica, helping children around the world. It's called 'Go Campaign' and they have a voluntary role as a website 'intern' which I've been accepted for. It will mean I can keep myself busy while the US government processes the form that gives me permission to work (for money). 

Lots of viewings this week, which culminated in us signing a lease for an apartment just off Santa Monica Boulevard, towards West Los Angeles. Pictures to follow!

A less exciting and more tiresome task involved us visiting the federal building in downtown Los Angeles to correct a mistake by US immigration in our passports.

Downtown LA is a strange place; a mix of people who are destitute, sleeping on the streets, with city workers from high profile banks going about their business. Quite shocking. Topped off by witnessing the SECOND man I've seen this week peeing on the street. Not in the corner, not next to a tree like a dog would, but bang in the middle of the 'sidewalk'. Gross.

Speaking of dogs, I didn't think there was a country more dog-mad than the UK, but the Americans have proven to trump us Brits even in that category. They're everywhere! People here are especially fond of their 'toy' dogs. Basically overgrown rats but less intelligent. I don't see the point in them myself, but each to their own.

We've been keeping up with Olympic news and coverage on NBC. But it's really annoying because NBC don't broadcast live events; they save them up until the evening when they know the viewing figures will be higher. It's caused quite a stir over here (critism from other broadcasters) but they deserve the criticism. And when they DO show the Olympic coverage it's all about the Americans, or "Will and Kate." I'm pretty sure "Will and Kate" have been shown more than Jessica Ennis, Chris Hoy or anyone who isn't American. Makes me mad!

Saying that, I wouldn't turn NBC down if they offered me a job. Just for the record. :)

Culver city and downtown (with some samosas thrown in)

We took a trip to Culver City on Saturday, which used to be home to the original Hollywood Studios and where films like The Wizard of Oz and Rebecca (one of my faves) were filmed. Sony Pictures/Columbia are still based here.

An added bonus was finding quite a few indian shops in the area, as well as a place called "Samosa House", where we enjoyed some really tasty 'chaat' dishes.

We then decided to take the metro rail to Downtown LA. It took about 30 mins and for $5 for a day pass it's not expensive. We were pleasantly surprised. Downtown LA has a very 'New York' feel about it, with the tall buildings, street vendors and general hustle and bustle you don't see in other parts of LA (because everyone's in their car of course).

On Sunday, while walking around Santa Monica, we walked past a used car lot which featured the Ghostbusters car! (well, a copy, but an exciting moment nonetheless.) 


We're still on the hunt for an apartment but have some promising leads through the 'craigslist' website. And I have volunteered to do some website editing for a children's charity based in Santa Monica, while my work permit comes through, so will keep you all posted on that. Until next time..."Busting makes me feel gooood..."

A hike in Topagna State Park

We went for our first hike this weekend. Reminded us of the Peak District, but hotter and several times bigger! A thirty minute drive from the apartment took us into Topagna state park; one of several in the Los Angeles county alone.

We hiked up a trail to 'Eagle Rock', with amazing views along the way. 

"I think we parked over there..."

Apartment hunting

While Richard was at work last week, ensuring those underpaid rock stars receive their royalties, I viewed several apartments in the Santa Monica area.

Apartments, condos, duplex, triplex, lofts...there are various names for 'flats' here, but one thing they all have in common is the abundance of storage space. No matter how small an apartment, you're guaranteed a built in closet or walk in wardrobe and still have room for a huge bed and en-suite. I guess they were built with that in mind, and there is the overall SPACE to do it here, but it's still great.

Most of the 2 bedroom apartments also come with 2 bathrooms, which is a bonus. Of the 4 I viewed this week, two stand out. They're both on the upper floor, so no more living in between people. They're in quiet areas and are part of no more than 6 units. They both have a washer and dryer in the apartment too, which I like as it means no more communal laundry rooms. Also more importantly they have a garage or car port and are within 30 mins walk to work for Richard.

The first (left) was very bright, with the added bonus that the rent includes all utilities. And it features our own guava and lemon trees outside!

The second was on a palm tree-lined street and equally lovely; bright, huge rooms, masses of storage but best of all it's own private front door entry.

Not sure if either of these will still be available when we're ready to move in the first few weeks of August, but fingers crossed. In any case it's been a valuable experience, if only to learn we could have access to free lemons.

Down and out in Beverly Hills

A proper trip in the car yesterday, to Beverly Hills and Hollywood, stopping off to stroll around Rodeo Drive and Paramount Studios respectively.

Having the car makes journeys a lot easier, and we weren't looking around for a car park at peak time on a Saturday in Beverly Hills either. There seems to be a 'parking lot' around every corner! Anything to get those shoppers into Prada, Chanel, Gucci, New Look...(oh dear, wrong street!)

We walked past, but did not enter, The Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel (above). Made famous in Pretty Woman of course. I wasn't able to check if Edward Lewis was in, ladies!

Apparently the afternoon tea here is the best outside of London, though.

After walking around Beverly Hills, taking in the designer shops, people with more money than sense, tourists taking pictures of a yellow Bugatti parked on the street (it's a car, get over it!) we decided to go somewhere 'real'. So we drove to Hollywood. 

Paramount Studios to be precise. Now, the photo of the whale mural on the side of Paramount will mean something to Star Trek fans, and fans of marine wildlife in general. These lovely creatures were the stars of Star Trek IV. Much of it was filmed at Paramount, and it was exciting to see the studio. We'll probably do the offical tour next weekend and maybe even watch 'Dr Phil' being filmed.

It was also stupidly exciting to see the Hollywood sign in the distance after we'd parked up alongside the studios. A trip/hike into the hills is called for I think.

The drive back to the coast saw a couple of wrong turns, but you find it's not hard to get back on the right road because of the grid system. People do use their horns a lot more here, but on the other hand they're relaxed about changing lanes at the last minute.

There happens to be a branch of The Cheesecake Factory opposite our apartments at Marina Del Rey. We hadn't been until now, but we had to take the cheesecakes 'to go', and were glad we did. We only managed to eat half each! How lame! (Just for the record, Richard enjoyed a Mango and Key Lime and I had a Chocolate Mousse cheesecake.)