Week 10: Bus Trip Reply/Comment

This week I was supposed to do my final blog. But unfortunately I got my semi-annual flu/cold infection and ended up losing my voice for almost 2 days! All during the wonderful time of finals!

However I made the best of it with the final for this class and another paper that was due. However I couldn't make it out to go anywhere, so I had to respond to another blogger's bus experience. I used my own memories of riding the Big Blue Bus in Santa Monica and the Culver City Green Bus from when I used to attend Santa Monica College, to help me write a critical response for this week's response. December 9, 2012 9:29 PM

Although this is the blogger had some more interesting and at times more pleasant views, this has been my main view for this whole week!

And yes, that is my copy of "The Blackwell City Reader"!

Thank You everyone who has followed me in this journey in exploring and discovering the Fourth Urban Revolution, Los Angeles. A city like none other. 

Week 9: walking trip Santa Monica

Santa Monica is an amazing place. Santa Monica is known for being green and at times hipster as well as their fun pier, with the colorful ferris wheel. However I've always gotten different vibes depending on where I am. On the Third Street Promenade it is usually full of tourists and big brand chains like, Forever 21, Urban Outfitters and Old Navy. It even has the big food chains like McDonalds and Chipotle. But when I'm on Main Street I have a whole different vibe. There are local owned stores, boutiques with vintage clothing that I can't afford and one of my favorite places (especially since it's one of the few places open after 10pm) Urth Caffe.

I started this trip from 3rd Street. I roamed around 3rd street. I'm sure the Thursday before, this street was becoming a madhouse. But even this Thursday, it was awfully busy. I parked my car at Santa Monica Place, here they have free 2 hour parking until 5, along with the other public parking structures. There were young locals, many who I might have seen walking around Santa Monica College's campus. There were also many tourists there too. Many white tourists, speaking European languages as well as a some Asian speaking people.

I headed out and started walking onto Broadway and then 4th street. I passed a the 10 freeway and then passed the Santa Monica High School, otherwise known as SaMoHi. As it was a weekday, I saw several students around that area. I saw a variety of white, black, hispanic and probably persian teenagers while walking. Most of them were just outside the school, waiting for a bus or also just walking from one place to another.

As i crossed Pico Blvd, a wider street with many cars, bikes, and busses zooming by, I made my way onto Main St. This is the part of Santa Monica has the characteristics that I associate with Santa Monica. The vibes on this street all of a sudden seem calmer, although you don't usually feel that when you're driving and trying to find parking. While walking through, it seems much more relaxed. As I walk through, I notice that the people are usually white. I see people riding their bikes and dressed more "hipster".

As I keep walking I walk into one vintage boutique. I look at their collection. I wouldn't have worn most of those things, but the few things I pick up, I notice they are way out my price range, definitely more expensive than most things at H&M for example.

I exit and keep walking and when I turn around I see this painted on the side of the store.

I keep walking and get to Urth Caffe. This Caffe has a two other locations. A lot of their food items are organic and they have many vegan and vegetarian options. They also have fair-trade coffees. Overall they are pretty eco-friendly at least more than the options available on the Promenade.

Green Tea Boba with Cocounut- a must have at Urth!

I thought of the quality of the roads here as well as the overall structure. I know that Santa Monica prides itself for being green. Much of this money comes from how Santa Monica allocates its tax dollars. They also have programs in the area to make it more green and eco friendly.

From the lectures and readings of neo-liberalism, it says that the free-market is supposed to fix all problems. In Santa Monica they are using classic neo-liberal tactics as well as non-liberal tactics. They have parts of the city used for big commercial gains, like the pier and Third Street. At the same time they have places that help the local community, like their comment college, locally owned restaurants, bars, and other retail establishments. Together they are using tactics that will help their local as well other members of the Los Angeles community

The route I chose to walk

Week 8: Huntington Beach New Location

Although I had been to many parts of Orange County before, I had not been to any of their beaches, except Newport Beach a year or two prior. This is the first time I had ever been to Huntington Beach Pier. This area was quite nice. My sister had been to the pier before a few times and wanted to bring her husband and myself while they were visiting for the weekend from Nor Cal.

We arrived at the pier and luckily found parking on the crowded street. It was similar to Santa Monica beach but much smaller. We found a place to have lunch, a locally owned place, Sugar Shack Cafe.

Here most of the places were locally owned restaurants, bars, retail and tourist nicknack type stores. Here I saw a lot of white people. It was however pretty busy, but that was most likely due to the long weekend. In general, I'm assuming it is most busy in the summer, during surfing months, because that is what Huntington Beach is known for.

We walked up onto the pier. Here they only had two stores, both pretty small and just had other tourist stuff. This is quite different than the pier of Santa Monica.

Going back to the reading of Orange County, it seems as if this pier is not for major commercial area. It is mostly for people who enjoy going to the beach. When driving around the area I found many enclaves of homes which look much like suburbia. For example, while driving on Beach Blvd, it was full of all different chains of restaurants, retail and grocery store. The Street parallel to it, Newland was quite empty, retail wise. It was where all the homes were. There was no public transport, although I did see some bus stops. Here you would have to drive your car to one spot where you could park in a plaza, much more parking (all free, in comparison to LA), and spend hours in just one plaza.

At the 405 freeway entrance they had an area called Bella Terra where they had a movie theatre which we went to, and then they had other big branded chain stores like Burlington Coat Factory and Barnes and Nobles.

This was the perfect example of post-suburbia.

Week 7: Covent Garden vs The Grove

This past week I had to go to London for some personal reasons.

While I was there I went to Covent Gardens. Although it was my first it reminded me of The Grove where I had just been, buying some gifts for relatives back home. 

Covent Garden

Covent Garden- Seven Dials

Covent Garden was a large area, which had shops, restaurants, stalls and a ridiculous amount of people. It was a weekday, but there were still thralls of people. In a city with so many people and different cultures, even more than Los Angeles it can be difficult to discern from a local to a tourist. The make up of the people were all types of europeans, although eastern european languages weren't heard as much, considering of the influx of eastern europeans in London. I saw South Asians, East Asians, Arabs, Black, Whites, really everything.

Covent Garden

Covent Garden

There were people dressed in mostly western clothing, some looking like they came from work and other people just roaming around. It was heavily crowded, so most people seem like a blur. There were people performing in a few places. They had some locally owned places, but also big chains, like Apple, Forever 21 (which is much fancier over there, because it isn't at every mall) and few other American/international chains. There was also a farmer's market area, where people were selling all types of things, a lot of art, handmade goods, confectionary and so on.

It had cobblestone roads and was open ended. There was no exact "openings" or "exits" to Covent Garden. It has also been here for over a hundred years and was always know for its commercial history. It used to be a traditional farmers market, where actual farmers would come to sell their vegetables and fruits.

Covent Garden

The Grove

The Grove opened in the early 2000s. Here they also have a farmer's market, that was present before. However the rest of the buildings and cobblestone pavement has been built recently. This area is closed somewhat closed, centralized and orderly, because it was built with the purpose as serving as a commercial area, whereas Covent Garden slowly expanded. Also, here, they have an actual parking lot, which is a stark contrast to the over crowded tube station. 

The Grove

Because this area is more controlled, and an open air mall, they do not allow loitering or any street performers. They have carts there, but they are somewhat permanen the Farmer's Market is also more established and they even have a Starbucks there. 

They both had holiday season lighting up. They also had large amounts of people, however the people here seemed more affluent, not rich, just generally well off at the Grove. The Grove also has higher end shopping.

Week 6 (Venice/Abbot Kinney)

Last weekend, I helped out with a fundraiser event for Friends of Ballona Wetlands in Abbot Kinney area in Venice. It took place at The G2 Gallery.

I had been to the famous Venice boardwalk once before, but never had I really explored Venice or the rest of the area until that day.

I came earlier in the day and walked around the Venice Canals that morning. I then headed over to the gallery where I helped to set up. I then walked around Abbot Kinney for an hour or so before the event started.

Venice is named Venice because it was originally built to look like Venice, Italy. There were manmade canals built to mimic the original city. But slowly over the years as areas were bought up and districted to Los Angeles. 

Venice is known for several reasons: Muscle Beach, street art, street performers, "hippie vibe", bars, cafes and other boardwalk attractions.

Abbot Kinney Blvd is named after the man who built Venice (as well as large areas of Santa Monica and Ocean Park).

Abbot Kinney has a lot bars, galleries, small stores and cafe/restaurants. The people there are locals, although tourists do come to check it out from time to time.

This area of Los Angeles is very different than others. There are expensive areas and cheaper property prices. However the people who are there are usually heavily involved with Los Angeles culture. Many   are some form of an artist. They specialize in different forms of art and sell their work.

Week 5: Downtown LA (LA Times article)

This past week, my friends and I decided to go to Syrup Desserts in Downtown LA (about 4 miles from USC)

Downtown LA is a great example of how LA is part of the 4th Urban Revolution. In comparison to places like Chicago, you know that their downtown is the place to be. When I think of LA downtown I think of the fashion district- where I can get cheap knockoffs- the flower district,  USC and areas I would not feel safe walking around at night.

In fact, on Halloween night, on the USC campus there was a shooting, leading to four people wounded.

The Los Angeles Times story I linked to, shares a story of one student, St. Claire. She said earlier this year, her laptop was even stolen from her secured dorm room. This is worrying to so many students and parents because they send their children for a great education but have to often worry about their own safety. USC is not entirely to blame. USC spends a lot of money, working with private security and LAPD to ensure that their students and faculty are taken care of. But the fancy shmancy university is surrounded in an area where there is severe poverty and hard access to a good basic education (ironic, right?)

-------

But back to my trip in Downtown, the area we were in had a lot of small boutiques and other coffee shops. This area had a lot of people in their twenties and thirties. Parking is of course a hassle because of the limited metered parking and privately owned parking lots. There were a few homeless people walking here and there.

Apple Pie Belgian Waffle- Syrup Desserts

Week 4- Little India (Artesia) SimplyMaps

Tomorrow is the Muslim holiday, Eid!
So I went to to Artesia, in Cerritos, to buy new clothes (about 32 miles from UCLA). My favorite store is Mirage on Pioneer Blvd. These few blocks on Pioneer Blvd. is also commonly referred to as Little India.

Here you can find stores and restaurants providing primarily Indian goods and services. There are a few that are distinctly Pakistani. But all in all, it caters to the entire South Asian community.

This area is quite different from most other areas in Los Angeles. Here you will find older women and men dressed in traditional clothing. The women will be wearing either shalwar (salwar) kameez or saris. Men might also be wearing shalwar (salwar) kameez. You will also see a lot more men wearing their turbans than in most areas. You will also see women wearing kurtis. And then finally, there are people wearing "normal" clothes. Depending on what the person is wearing, it can be easily deduced which generation they are from, for example the women wearing kurtis are generally first generation Indians and so on.

Even the aromas are different. Instead of smelling pizza or burgers you can smell dosas and chat (just thinking about it makes my mouth water!) And instead of eyeing cupcakes and cookies you'll be craving mathai (Indian sweets).

While I was getting my measurements taken, I was speaking to the tailor in my mix of Urdu and English. A common way I communicate with many of the people there.

We also shop the way we do back in Pakistan, trying to bargain with them. Or rather my mum just my mom, because I have not learnt those skills living over here. Although, it is becoming more common to find stores with the sign - All Prices Final. Even if this sign were adorned in a store in Pakistan, this would never be taken seriously, unlike here.

The grocery stores on this street are selling products coming from around South Asia and also other international markets, like South East Asia and Europe.

UPDATE: 12/1/12

These two snapshots from Simplymaps shows that all the people in the zip code of Artesia are all first generation Americans.

The % of US born citizens- 0%

The % of naturalized US citizens- 100%

Week 3: Third Street (response)

This week, I decided to respond to Linna's blog from this week. She visited Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica. She drew on Durkheim's concept of mechanical solidarity.


Here's my own personal picture from Third Street Promenade

Week 2- (mini) Road Trip!

This week, my brother and sister-in-law wanted to meet for dinner. We decided to meet in Manhattan Beach. Usually I would take 405 S, start on Wilshire Blvd and exit Rosecrans Ave. Instead, I decided to take an alternate route, Sepulveda Blvd. Sepulveda is a 42.8 mile road from San Fernando Valley to Long Beach and for the most part, is parallel to 405 (a freeway that can have its own blog). I decided to drive on Sepulveda because it would allow me to drive through several different areas. Allowing me to view how the roads, groups of people, cars, building, etc changed. The heavy flow of traffic aided me in observing what was going on around me. I had my phone on me and recorded audio notes, allowing me the freedom to drive but also not forgetting vital information.

I left my apartment in Westwood and got onto Wilshire (it's common in LA to not use blvd, ave, road etc, when speaking about roads). I soon turned onto Sepulveda slowly, because of the ongoing construction on the 405. While driving for a few miles I saw several busses. I saw an orange Metro,  Culver City's Green bus and Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus. The road was rough and bumpy and there were two tight lanes on each side.

The lines of the areas are blurred, there are of course official limits for each area, but I am using more of my local knowledge I have acquired recently.

At first I passed businesses on either side. I saw Ralph's, Trader Joe's and an Albertsons. as I continued down, the road widened and there were at times 3 or 4 lanes on each side. There were always cars parked on either side of the road. I soon entered in Culver City and not much changed.

I saw people walking around, getting on and off the buses and from place to place. There were a few cyclists (who got way too close to my car because of the random appearances and disappearances of bike lanes).

As I continued down Sepulveda there was more construction by the new Westfield Culver City (previously known as Fox Hills).

After this point I noticed a shift in less people walking around.

After that, I witnessed no more constructions, but there were signs for how they will soon begin on La Tijera.

By this point I had entered Westchester. There were about 4 lanes on each side. There were entrances to residential streets and soon the stores started appearing. We were nearing LAX. I saw big plaza type areas with plenty of parking (and it was all free! No parking attendants or paying areas!)

After I passed the amazing smell of In-N-Out (the scent of animal style burgers and fries wafted into my car) I passed the airport. I had to go through the tunnel, where I was reaching the limits of Westchester and entering Manhatta Beach.

By this point the roads had become very smooth and were in good condition. The roads continued to be 4 lanes on each side. The traffic lights looked newer as well.

Soon I was passing by many restaurants in plazas in between business buildings. I then passed another small mall.

By this point I had reached Rosecrans Ave and turned left. There I turned into another parking structure area, that was also free. There were several higher chain restaurants and movie theater.

It took me in total about 45-ish mins over the normal 30 minutes the 405 would have.

Week 1

I officially moved to Los Angeles on August 24, 2010. But I had been a frequent visitor since I first got my passport at the age of 3 months. I grew up in London, Houston and Doha. My parents are from Pakistan and visiting their hometown, Karachi, often I have experienced several different cultures. Although each city is unique they share many common characteristics. All cities are made up of different groups of people, levels of income, education, general health and so on.

As a Geography/Environmental Studies major at UCLA, I chose this class as my upper division requirement. This class allows me to study a city that I have been visiting and now living in. It is forcing me to take a 10 week trip to explore and observe the city of Los Angeles and the entire metropolitan area. My research methods will include driving, walking, taking public transit, speaking to its habitants and general observation. 

Los Angeles is worldly famous for a plethora of reasons. This is what makes it all the more exciting to explore, break down any stereotypes and enjoy this amazing city.

This is how Discover LA chooses to portray Los Angeles.

Come join me on my personal journey to discover LA.

Mashal.