LA in the rain

My niece and nephew came for a visit. They are from Israel but have been studying for a few months on the east coast. It was time to show them LA, but what do you do when it rains for three days?We started out at the Griffith Park Observatory. A beautiful Art Deco building with great views of the city. They had to trust us on the views – clearly this is all we saw – grey.There is something magical about being inside a cloud. We arrived two hours before opening time, so it was on to find other Iconic landmarks to show off.For myself, I can’t get enough of these Art Deco elements.

Where else does one go but to  Hollywood Forever Cemetery?

It is such an unusual unique cemetery, very representative of the city. I don’t care about the celebrities buried there, I don’t care about celebrities period.  It’s the overall crazy feel of the place.Paramount Studio was built on the property owned by the cemetery and many of the original studio heads and stars are buried here.  Mel Blank is on the edge of the Jewish section, called Beth Olam – eternal home.I have no idea who Mama Irene was, but she was perfect.Probably because she was Italian.Over 100 years ago, the tombstone or monument would be very impressive. But little information was given. At the time everyone knew who Griffith J. Griffith was, his name was all that was needed. He did donate the land that is Griffith park to the city. He probably did so because he felt it was too hilly to develop. No idea who Hart, Wheelock or Randall were. Why someone left those figurines is also a mystery to me.Today if you are famous, you spell it all out!  In one hundred years, who will remember Johnny Ramone?Or even Toto, he was buried under what today is the 101 freeway right by my house. Someone cared enough to errect a memorial to him.There is a large Russian population being buried here, and boy do they go overboard. I just had no idea that Stalin is here. The name is in Armenian, but you can understand my confusion.This is why I like this place so much, Were the Koran and Armenian married? Is it just by chance they are buried side by side?A visit to Thailand, this section is smaller than the rest, yet is quite authentic.Some peacocks have taken up residence, I hope they keep their numbers under control, unlike the LA Arboretum that is over run by these fowl.Big birds, big mess, but boy are they pretty!

We went on to Hollywood BLVD, even midweek in the rain there were plenty of tourists around taking pictures. I had to share the LA every tourist see, not just the hidden gems.Then onto Venice Beach. Our guests were duly impressed with how wide the sand is, anywhere else and the buildings would leave a small board walk and even a smaller strip of sand.

Speaking of birds, these are residents of Venice Beach, not as colorful but equally messy. The neighbor has some fake owl, keeps them off his property, but they roosted right next door.Of course they even managed to see the rest of the family. Notice how interested Cameron is in that glass of wine…  no one shared with him.