Home  The All New Blog California: Visiting small elementary schools, the Financial District and Little Tokyo
|
|
California: Visiting small elementary schools, the Financial District and Little Tokyo |
|
|
|
Written by Stephen Baines
|
|
Wednesday, 16 June 1999 |
As is rapidly becoming habit, the day started with an American Breakfast. Usual things - big, filling, little needed to eat all day. I did have my first Starbucks coffee, though, so the new experiences are still coming, and saw my first LA Fire Engine with sirens going.
The main feature of today was a visit to Alexandria Ave Elementary School to see what they are doing with IT and the Internet. The school was recommended by the LAUSD as a good example of what could be achieved. I found the school (once Neverlost got over an initial hiccup where it insisted that the car was inside the Kawada Hotel). The thing that initially amazed me was that it was rather larger than I expected - but hey! This is America. Once I got inside and met Carol Labrow, it became clear exactly how big this elementary school was - 1700 pupils. Somewhat larger than UK primary schools. Carol told me about the school, the budget (some $6m a year) and how they've developed inspite of the LAUSD, so she found their recommendation somewhat amusing.
When I got back to the hotel, I decided to have a look around the Financial District and Little Tokyo. I started, simply enough, just across the road by the Wells Fargo building. I decided to go via the funny little tram thing that went up the hill. Not bad for 25c, and I was going to be doing plenty of walking.
The view from up on The Plaza was breathtaking - you could see for miles around LA. I did have a reason for visiting the financial district - it seemed reasonable enought that I'd be able to change some of my travellers checks (ooo, it's catching - cheques) into dollars. Pah! I did find several banks that had counters, but they didn't change travellers cheques. It took until I was almost back in the Jewelrey District before I found one that would change a cheque, and then would only do $100, but I did get a roll of quarters as well, so that'll help with things. The hotel changed another one as well - so now I have enough for through the weekend. So much for travellers cheques been universally accepted in the US!
The buildings around the Financial District are truly stunning. Nestled in amongst the sky scrapers were older buildings, such as the LA Library, which in itself is a building worth seeing just for it's own beauty. I continued my tour, and saw more fountains and waterfalls, many many mirror glassed windows, and many, many bums. I was reminded very much of what Bill Hicks had said about New York - walking the streets their is like doing a bum hurdle "do you have any money, do you have any money...". Unlike Bill, I realised that they weren't being friendly and asking if I was doing well for myself. The sunglasses and eyes straight ahead worked well for the most part, and the one bum who shouted things when I blanked him soon diverted his attention to a wealthy looking chap who was walking the other way.
I eventually got to 9th street, then obviously the counting got difficult, as the next road was Olympic Bvd, then 11th street... These systems are great! I went down 11th street, via Olive, Hill and was then down on Broadway - the heart of Little Tokyo. This district of LA has changed a lot over the years, and there was very little that I saw that could be identified as Japanese. As I walked the street, the shops sold electrical goods and clothes in the main. From the stores the distinctive sound of latino music was blasting out, and I could feel myself getting hooked on the music as I strolled along the road. The music is infections and I got very close to buying a Ricky Martin CD...
During my little wanders yesterday, I'd stumbled across a shop that did on the spot weddings. Clearly since yesterday, they've seen developments and changed their business model, as the same wedding emporium can now do you a divorce as well. LA is a mad, mad city!
Back at the hotel, and I decided the best way to conquer my fear of downtown LA traffic was to drive in it, so I retrieved the car from the valet, and set off into rush hour traffic in downtown. The rules rapidly became very, very clear - buses can do as they like, and are free to change lanes at random and to stop without warning. People in Mercedes are likewise allowed the same privilleges, whilst anyone in a convertible is treated with contempt by the rest of the traffic. Whilst driving and wanting to turn left or right, but being stopped by pedestrians crossing, it is vitally important to drum on the steering wheel. You can press the horn as well if you feel someone is taking a very long time. If you discover you are in totally the wrong lane at the lights - don't worry! - just point your car vaguely in the right direction and floor it when the lights turn green, then drum fingers at pedestrians. Needless to say, there are a lot more rules, and I doubt I'll learn them all. I limited it to the parking at random, when Neverlost had another paddy, and decided than I was driving through the center of the California Plaza on Bunker Hill.
Now I'm safely back at the hotel, a little tired, but enjoying all the new things that I am getting to see, and a chance to see parts of America that aren't on the normal tourist route. That to me is seeing the real America. |
|
|
