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Interview

Finding Something to Do on a Friday . . . .

Sight seeing, Where to? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg.3-4

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Finding Something to Do on a Friday . . . .

Sight seeing, Where to?

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What’s

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sight seeing. where to?get lost and explore

As a result of high prices and the urbanization of Los Angeles, communitites have become interconnect and accesible with the construction of the Metro Goldline going eastward. Small enclaves like Little Tokyo, Chinatown, and Boyle Heights are now open to a new generation of commuters that spend their time admiring the architecture and murals that they pass by every day. Alternative transportation allows men, women and children to socialize with fellow commuters while avoiding crowded streets and angry motorists. Which is why communting around Los Angeles via the Gold Line was something I had never done before and could not wait to do. What interest me the most about the Metro line was the varying parts of the city that I would encounter. So, I set up one morning and hoped to become acquainted with communities that had been mentioned on the news. My journey began in Boyle Heights where the fussion of the old and new created a harmonious niche of Mexican-American cultures. The interactions between cultural explorations, arts, and foods is unique to the laid-back Southwestern lifestyle that Californians embrace and tourists envy. Seeing how the music, the enriched foods, the intellectual poetry readings, the up-and-coming artist carry with their creations pieces embeded with life experiences and way of life gives tourist an understanding of the unknown.

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oing west, one is greeted by the sights, sounds and smell of the small community of Little Tokyo. The Kareoke Bars, the shops, restaurants, and mall strip greets any with curiosities. This little town has a sense of community, tourist taking pictures by friendly folk willing to snap away for them. I don’t know how long I’ve lived in Los Angeles but it seems like I can manage getting to and from any destination along the Metro rail but nowhere else. While walking around I was able to picture myself as a tourist. Looking wide-eyed and taking in the experience of exploring beyond my neighborhood block. The last time I remember visiting Little Tokyo was by accidentally getting off on the wrong stop of the Metro. We were headed to La Placita Olvera and soon realized that we had missed the stop and had to walk back a couple of blocks. Duing the walk, I felt like I had been transported somewhere else, away from the LA traffic, and the loud noise of construction. Now coming back to Little Tokyo, after years of not visiting, the streets seemed crowded with passerbies while streets are shut down for what would be a gallery art opening later on in the evening.

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While the gallery would not be opened to the public until the next day, on display pieces attracted many to this particular spot. Walking around and taking picture became natural after the first couple of shots. Not many shop owners liked the idea of taking pictures, due to the limited walking space in the shops, and, possibly, because we were blocking the exit. Feeling a bit overwhelmed by the delicate wall decorations and the limited walking space of the shops could make anyone cautious of their every step. From one shop to the next, soon time passed by and afternoon set in. But yet I still had to check out what was going on across the Japanese History Museum, and try to find out whether I could take shots of these display pieces and ask if the event would be open to the public. Aster the long walks, and the heat over us, we soon became tired and decided to grab lunch. With my high school friend, Katherine Hampton, we came across a small mexican cocina and bar, that would keep us cooled off, away from the hot heat outside.

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BelowBanner for the opening of Art in the Streest. An outdoor instillation that provoked alot of camera shots and a crowd in awe to see what would become the grand opening later that day.

RightThe first camera, a display in front of the Japanese American Museum, the path lead to the back area where pieces from art in the streets where installed.

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INTERVIEWMeeting up in Little Tokyo at Señor Fish Mexican Cocina and Bar.

WITHKATHERINE HAMPTON

Q. Tell us a little about yourself.

I am a student at Santa Monica College. I commute to school. I often spend all my time at school, not having time to go sight seeing or hanging out with friends. Which, to be honest surprised me why you wanted to go out on a friday and meet here on the condition that we take the Metro Rail Gold line. I love going to downtown, but didn’t think it would take this long to get here from Santa Monica.

Q. How long have you’ve live in LA?

Born and raised in LA. My mother bought her home as a college student and has live there so far still today. I love where I live because I am not so far away from Downtown and Santa Monica. Although I have to admit that I’ve never gone as far east bound as we have today. I feel like I’ve missed out on cultural arts, foods, and history. I never thought I would have enjoyed it.

Q. How often have you visited downtown, Little Tokyo, or East LA?

The farthest east I’ve gone is to Little Tokyo, I have to admit that going farter than that has been an adventure for me, and has put to rest any past impressions I’ve had of East LA. With my mother I come to Little Tokyo. Finding my way around by rail made me feel like an adult, not as sheltered as my mother would keep me. Could you blame her, I am her only daughter.

Q. Aside from driving around, how was your experience riding the Metro Rail to downtown?

It was interesting. I’ve taken the bus to school but I’ve never had necessity to ride the Metro Rail. The people you encounter, the things you see. Socializing and discovering another side of life in a city that I have become accustomed to and have till today believed I had seen it all. There’s so much life after sunset.

Q. Would you have come alone, or did having friends around make your decision easier?

I have to say that alone, that would have never cross my mind. It would be likely I could ride the rail alone but preffer not to. Having friends around make taking photos fun and easily accessible to share through facebook. With friends around, it makes time pass by fast, and am left wanting to do this again sometime soon. When are we hanging out again?

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Located on 1st and Alameda, this Mexican Cocina and Bar, attracts many in search of a laid back environ-ment that houses DJ’s every other friday.