Thursday 6 September 2012

August 2012 - Los Angeles and San Diego, Part 2


Nearly 2 years since I'd left the USA I was back, and back in the same state, my favourite state, California. Its true the Chicago is the most amazing city I've visited, but I discovered that once outside the downtown area the rest of Illinois didn't really seem to have that much to offer me. California though has been different, California just keeps giving, the places to go, the things to see are totally endless, my 'to do' list is still the length of my arm. 

One reason the LA area specifically appeals so much (aside from sun, sea and In-n-out) is the connection to movies. The place is just a huge film set, it feels like youre in a movie most of the time (mainly Terminator 2 to me) but I did take the opportunity again to visit a few specific places including locations from Back To The Future, Ghostbusters, Yes Man and Some Like It Hot. The interest in visiting locations is an odd one, why does it appeal so much? I liken it to an art lover and his favourite painting (a normal painting, not a splat, dab, there thats art, pay me £4k for it..),if you could offer that art lover the opportunity to stand inside the painting for just one minute Im sure theyd jump at the chance. To be able to stand in a scene youve seen in media for years I find fascinating, to experience the 360 environmental of your favourite scenes, to see it with your own eyes, to smell the smell, hear the sounds, I love it. My favourite this time was definitely retracing the Ghostbusters first call out entering the Hotel Sedgewick, approaching the lifts... it was a goose pimply, unable to talk moment.

Anyway, I didnt intend to do a waffling blog, I'll save you that agony, this time i wanted pictures to do the talking, so please have a 'browse' of the video below, i think this paints the best image that reflects what an amazing area Southern California is. Lastly I do want to take the opportunity to thank my tour guide once again for the fabulous adventure around San Diego and Los Angeles, im truely indebted. I will be back at some point, there is no doubt about that, but next will likely be New York in 2013, this trip will (hopefully) include a lot of Formula 1 and a visit to a location on North Moore Street, that will likely totally overwhelm all my senses and Ill become a mute blubbering mess, no doubt I'll talk about it in my next post, you have been warned...