Andrea Wilson Woods' Blog

After visiting the MOCA and seeing the Geffen, I was exhausted and hungry, but my learning to love LA journey was far from over. As I left the Geffen, I spotted the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy, and I loved the picture in the window. In my opinion, it qualifies as art. The artist who created the poster seemed inspired by Barbara Kruger’s style.

Right next door, I discovered one of the most beautiful Buddhist temples that I have ever seen—not that I am Buddhist or spent my spare time in temples. However, the ornate architecture of the historic Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist temple would inspire even the most devout atheist. This temple was the first home of the Japanese American National Museum, which moved to an 85,000-square-foot pavilion across from the temple in 1999. Many years ago, my husband and I saw the most amazing exhibit there titled September 11: Bearing Witness to History. One of the most difficult, yet moving, experiences was listening to recordings of the passengers on United Airlines Flight 93 when they realized that terrorists had hijacked the plane. The ensuing madness that followed—scuffling, shouting, screaming, praying, and the good-byes—brought tears to my eyes.

Still starving, I stumbled around Little Tokyo determined to find some food. I figured anything was better than the greasy sandwich from EJ’s Grill that I had refused to eat for lunch. I chose Daikokuya because it was one of the few restaurants already open for dinner. When I walked in, I saw that I was the only non-Japanese person in the entire place, which I took as a good sign that my meal would be terrific. I ordered shrimp and vegetable tempura, which came with miso soup, salad, and white rice. I drank the tastiest iced green tea. The entire dinner cost me $14 including tip, and I couldn’t even finish it because I was too full. I highly recommend Daikokuya for its excellent food, good service, and low prices.

As I made my way back to the Metro, I thought about my day. I had done everything that I would do in a different city: I rode public transportation, I occasionally got lost, I visited art museums, I discovered interesting artists, I ate at unfamiliar restaurants, and I walked everywhere. Since I was in the midst of EMAO, I wore a pedometer all day, and I logged 4.95 miles in my Skechers Shape-Ups. At various times, I was tired, cold, or hungry—issues that always occur when I am excited in new surroundings.*

Overall, I consider the day successful. Including food, transportation, and museum fees, I spent a grand total of $23.25. The day was cheap by LA standards although I confess that I used my graduate student ID to receive $5 off the museum admission price. The only thing that burst my renewed love for LA was seeing a junkie on the train. I watched this skinny young man in his dirty, torn jeans and once-upon-a-time white t-shirt. He nervously looked around, dipped his finger into a “pack of cigarettes” and then rubbed his nose with white dust. His eyes darted and I knew staring directly at him was probably a bad idea so I looked over his shoulder. He was trying to be inconspicuous, but it’s hard to miss a twitching addict shoving cocaine up his nose in public.

I sighed as the reality of LA smacked me in the face. I realize addicts are everywhere, but I naively imagine that they hide in the shadows in small towns. Perhaps I am wrong. I was so preoccupied observing the cokehead that I took the wrong train. I had to double-back on the purple line to get back to the red line to return home. When I exited the North Hollywood Metro Station and saw the Amelia Earhart mural, I smiled. Last flight indeed.

I will never love the Land of Angels the way I used to in my youth. One day I will leave … I will take that last flight … and when I return, I will be a visitor. Only then will I once again appreciate Los Angeles for everything it has to offer … because I will no longer live here.

AWW — XoXo

*As long as exhaustion, coldness, and hunger don’t happen at the same time, it’s all good. However, when the triple threat occurs, I become Mrs. Hyde and frighten people.

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