Los Angeles: Echoes of Asphalt and Avocado Toast
okay, so. los angeles. where do i even begin? i’m a touring session drummer, right? I’m used to chaos, to being thrown into a new city every other day, but this… this is a different kind of wild. It’s like someone took a dream, threw it in a blender with a whole lot of sunshine and exhaust fumes, and then poured it onto a giant map.
I just checked and it's drizzling a bit, which is apparently a thing here. Like, people are genuinely surprised. The air feels thick, heavy with the scent of jasmine and… something vaguely industrial. It’s not unpleasant, just… a lot.
I’m staying in Silver Lake, which is… interesting. Lots of vintage shops, murals that look like they were painted by aliens, and enough succulents to populate a small desert. If you get bored, Santa Monica and Pasadena are just a short drive away. Seriously, you could spend a lifetime just exploring the neighborhoods.
I’ve been trying to find decent coffee. It’s a quest, honestly. I’m a bit of a coffee snob, you see. I need something with body, something with character. I stumbled across this place called Intelligentsia - apparently, it’s a big deal. I’ll check it out. https://www.intelligentsiacoffee.com/
Someone told me that the traffic is genuinely apocalyptic. Like, you should just accept that you’ll spend half your life in a car. I’m trying to rely on ride-sharing, but even that’s a gamble. I heard a driver complaining about surge pricing that was higher than my last gig fee.
“Don’t even think about driving on the 405 during rush hour. Seriously. Just… don’t. You’ll lose your soul.”
I spent yesterday wandering around the Arts District. So. Many. Murals. It’s overwhelming in the best possible way. I’m trying to get some photos for my Instagram - gotta keep the followers happy, right? I’m thinking of hitting up some of the galleries on Traction Avenue. https://www.artsdistrictla.org/
I’m also on the hunt for vintage clothes. I need something… LA. Something that screams “I’m effortlessly cool, even though I’m probably stressed about my next gig.” I’ve heard there’s a great shop in Echo Park called Wasteland. https://www.wastelandla.com/
“If you want real vintage, skip Melrose. It’s all tourists and overpriced junk. Go to Echo Park. That’s where the locals shop.”
I’m trying to be mindful of my budget, you know? Being a touring musician isn’t exactly a path to riches. I’m mostly eating tacos and avocado toast. Which, honestly, isn’t a bad way to live. I saw a review on Yelp about a taco truck near my place - apparently, it’s legendary. I’m going to check it out tonight. https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=taco+trucks&find_loc=Los+Angeles%2C+CA
I overheard some drunk guy at a bar last night saying that everyone in LA is either an actor or a struggling screenwriter. I’m not sure if that’s true, but it definitely adds to the vibe. It’s a city of dreams, and a city of hustle. It’s exhausting, exhilarating, and utterly bizarre. I’m kind of obsessed.
Oh, and something a local warned me about: watch out for the pigeons. They’re ruthless.
You might also be interested in:
- https://votoris.com/post/uyo-uncensored-the-real-deal-on-living-here
- https://votoris.com/post/lagos-stumbling-threads-and-sticky-heat
- https://votoris.com/post/providence-afterschool-activities-and-youth-sports-that-wont-break-the-bank
- https://votoris.com/post/the-heat-the-waterfalls-and-my-cameras-tantrum-in-foz-do-iguau
- https://votoris.com/post/lisbons-a-blur-lost-in-pastel-and-pastis-de-nata