A Bum Rap!

I have to begin by confessing to anyone that's read our previous views on LA, we got it wrong! So what changed our minds? Well, first, the positive impact that the Metro rail system has made. Admittedly, as we wanted to revisit the Grove Farmers Market, the only sensible option was to drive and the short mid-morning drive down Pico was straightforward. On arrival, parking was easy, too and visiting the market was worth the effort. The traditional fresh food outlets were interesting and attractive and sat well alongside the modern Grove Centre.

The journey back was less attractive, as the GPS decided to direct us to the hotel via I10 West, which carried a lot of traffic on a sunny Friday afternoon!

Anyway, we made it and having dropped-off the car, we walked to the Expo Sepulveda Metro Station and with the help of two Locals (Tovi and Mirri) we bought  Tap tickets and embarked on our inaugural LA light railway journey. We took the Blue line to 7th and transferred to the Red line, finally embarking at Pershing Square. (What a great system! And its visibly regenerating the areas it passes through, even Compton!) From Pershing Square, we walked to the very cool fresh food market and then onto the Civic Administration sector.

Wow! With its bright orange funicular railway, public art spaces, and refurbished civic buildings, its a joy to explore. We took-in the LA Criminal Justice Building, the Walt Disney Centre, and the Broad Contemporary Art Centre.

Amazing and all for a seventy-five cent train ride! Mid-afternoon, we decided to avoid the commuters and headed back to our hote. Arriving at Expo Sepulveda, we walked down Pico Boulevard, to the Westword Tavern, and had a very nice dinner and planned our next Metro journey,  tomorrow!

I guess the following 50's hit was bound to feature again in this blog and it seemed appropriate for it to do so, today ..... 'Strolling', as it was seen on the American Bandstand .... what are they all doing now?!