13.09.2021 - 18.09.2021 Los Angeles

This week we explored Los Angeles. The often dilapidated infrastructure (roads and power supply) is striking. Individual neighborhoods (such as Beverly Hills) are of course exempt. But even the famous walk of fame in Hollywood was only presentable in a few places.

Our weekly program looked as follows:

13.09.2021:
After checking in at the Venice Suites on the Venice Beach promenade, we drove to a Walmart and stocked up on food and drinks. Then we strolled through Beverly Hills in our convertible. However, after the night flight, we were quite tired and returned to the hotel early (6:00 PM).

14.09.2021:
Highlights: The Griffith Observatory (view of the Hollywood sign) and the walk of fame in Hollywood), Downtown LA

15.09.2021:
Highlights: Rodeo Drive (shopping mecca for the well-to-do), then on the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway No. 1) to Malibu and Zuma Beach, and in the evening at Santa Monica Pier (end point of Route 66)

16.09.2021:
Universal Film Studios with unlimited express tickets (highlights of the rides: Transformers, Harry Potter, Simpsons). Then to the City Walk

17.09.2021:
Harbor and Hermosa Beach

Noteworthy from this week:
In the often very expansive streets, a rented electric scooter is often very helpful to get around quickly. These are available on almost every corner and can be activated through an app. Great, we thought, let's try it out on the walk of fame. After downloading the app, a credit card must be provided. But Swiss credit cards are not accepted (of course), I wouldn't have expected anything else... So off to the next store to buy an American debit card. Here you have the agony of choice, and we chose a Visa Green Dot card because it was supposed to be ready for use immediately after purchase. But we were mistaken: even with this card, you have to register with Visa after purchase. And there you are persistently asked for the residential address. I was still creative and entered the hotel address. But then the insurmountable stumbling block: my American social security number. I don't have one, after all, I'm a proud Swiss. I even tried all zeros and ones, but the system saw through me. So I had to call Visa support. They activated the card for me quite easily, but told me that I won't be able to reload the card in the future. Well, so much for unlimited possibilities...

In Los Angeles, there are many homeless people that are quite noticeable. Regularly, in front of our hotel in Venice Beach, dozens of them gathered in the evening. Not peaceful people, somehow heavily on drugs. They would insult each other and normal passersby if they weren't busy rummaging through the many trash cans for food. If they don't find anything, they run around like zombies and make incomprehensible sounds. Well, it's better to keep your distance.

About the temperature: It was quite a shock for us: after feeling 42 degrees Celsius in the Dominican Republic (regularly even in the evenings), it's a pleasant 28 degrees during the day in LA, but the temperatures drop to 16 - 18 degrees in the evening. Also, there is a cool wind coming from the sea. So unfortunately, no dining outside...

About the hotel: The view on the rooftop terrace is phenomenal (sunset over the sea). There is a gas grill available for everyone. Unfortunately, it's only partially functional: the 'grill' only gets about 80 degrees warm, so you can low-heat cook but it's not good for much else. What a shame, we were looking forward to our New York Strips we bought.

On Friday (September 17, 2021, 8:00 PM) evening, there was an earthquake warning (4.5). We were not far from the epicenter, but we hardly felt anything.