Venice Sunday

Here I sit. Wondering where this stream will take me. Listening to Sting’s Russians from the CD The Dream of Blue Turtles. Its been a few days since I tapped on the keys. 

Couple days ago, I went on camera adventure of the Venice Canals and the Ocean Front Walk of Venice Beach. Traveled up the beach and watched surfers outfitted in black wetsuits brave the waves. Saw a man with a giant fishing pole stand on the rocks from afar. Watched a couple transfixed on the seagulls hunting for sand crabs. Witnessed the national paddle tennis championship for a few minutes. Enjoyed the play of hand ballers and white men jumping (Wesley Snipes and Woody Herrelson lore). Travelled up and down the Ocean Walk to see vendors with candles of skulls and Marilyn Monroes sporting ink. Spoke to a medical marijuana doctor about my health choice options of the natural herbs. (Don’t normally see this in AV. Why not?) Photographed a 3-D wall of dancing dogs, replication of Starry Nights, and a climber repelling a wall. Visited an empty Muscle Beach and watched skaters of 8 and 50 ride the walls of the skate park.

It was a short day, but I saw much this NFL Sunday.  Picked up the camera and there I went not sure where I would be heading. Knew that this need to see the Canals has been percolating for some time and this was the day to do it. Ever since I saw it in a movie, Valentine’s Day, I knew I had to go.

Almost did not have the day. However, a nice parking attendant lady, Patricia hooked me up. Ready to turn around and head to Tatay’s house, the lady said she would give me the parking for $7 for the day. It said $17 for the day and this seemed ridiculous to me.  But, I accepted her offer and it was a nice few hours.

Looked at the beautiful Beach front homes. Very Zen. Rocks standing atop of itself. The world’s smallest front lawn. Had a staring contest with a seagull. Watched junior captains navigate the waves. Got my memory bottle of beach. Stood in the waves and read a plaque dedicated to a lifeguards lifeguard, George Wolf. Read the graffiti of today’s youth. Smelled the strong scent of Venice Canals. Saw a blue tree and faced up with a squirrel.

I’ve enjoyed these tourist guide books. It maps out places to see and not miss. Looking at LA in the eyes of a tourist has made these adventures more educational. Taking these pictures has focused my eye on the little things and I find that there is much to see, even in a place you have been a hundred times. One gets appreciation of the history of place by studying them. These self-guided tours has been enlightening. This love to explore and see more is something that I’ve discovered in me. When you look at things with new eyes, you are amazed at all the beauty out there.

Lucky for me, I’ve always had the wanderlust. Hope to never lose the need to go and flow. Well, sitting here in Barnes and Nobles has got me wondering where I should go next. Time to pickup a DK Eyewitness Los Angeles. 

To those that read, thank you for the many emails. I appreciate all the comments and feedback.