Los Angeles April 28, 2016

Los Angeles, CA USA, 03.28.2016

28 April 2016

Today is day one of my two part trip from Las Vegas out bound to Los Angeles and then on to Mexico. While in LA I will also be retrieving a Chinese visa for a future trip to Shanghai. The closest Chinese consulate to Las Vegas is in LA. While I could've used a service, it is about the same to rent a car and Airbnb for a night in LA.

Leaving Las Vegas meant at 5am meant a 3am wake up time! No problem for this avid miracle morning-er. Flying out in the middle of a rain storm from Las Vegas' McCarran Airport at 5am is always fun. Got a shot of the beautiful city I've called home most of my life through the window.

My short 40 minute flight into LAX on Southwest was uneventful. Almost an empty flight. One trip through baggage and Avis and then into the famous LA traffic.

My first stop is Rose Cafe in Venice. A place I've frequented on one of my countless prior trips to LA, I arrived surprised to find it totally renovated. New look and new menu but same excellent food. This pork belly, and eggs and potatoes breakfast is no ordinary meal. Those eggs are incredibly high quality and fresh. The berry compote is clearly homemade and marries well with the freshly baked bread (they have a bakery). Great coffee (I love great coffee). Some of the service seems unsure but overall I would come back for the food. Excellent meal to start this jaunt.

One thing that has always struck me about Los Angeles is the incredibly frustrating traffic. Knowing that going on, I've steeled myself mentally to be prepared and stay positive. And so far it's gone very well. Things move slowly but you will get where you are going (eventually). Instead of focusing on the negative, I've focused on the incredible weather and beautiful morning air. It definetly has helped me stay in a good energy mindset.

Anyway, next step is the Chinese consulate. Located in a quaint part of downtown called KoreaTown. It's really a lovely area and it's not uncommon to see elderly folks practicing not Tai chai on the sidewalk as you're walking past. The consulate itself is splintered off to make it easier for those needed visas to go directly to the third floor Visa office (it's at 500 Shatto). Much like your typical DMV. It isn't pretty. Now let's hope I can get my visa same day (since I only have 24 hours in Los Angeles).



Unfortunately after waiting in line and trekking downtown, I realize that I didn't leave enough time for my visa to be prepared. If you, like me, decide to pick up your visa passing through a city, allow at least 24 hours for express service. I neglected to schedule enough time before I depart in the morning. A failure to foresee red tape. The consulate website indicates same day service is possible but that information is outdated. A few tips if you are forced to deal with the consulate:

1. Fill out the application paperwork in advance by downloading from their site. Make sure to follow their directions precisely

2. Do not forget to bring a copy of your plane itinerary with you.

3. Go get a passport photo made and bring with. Any Walgreens and many post offices, FedEx Office, and similar stores will do this service.

4. Nowhere is this stated either but bring a COPY of your passport too. In addition to the original. Why they require this is a mystery but they will make you leave line, go copy it, and get back in line if you don't have it!


5. Lastly just allow enough time to return next day. They are only open 9am to 2p daily.

Or do what I am going to do now and just contact a travel agent to do it all for you for an extra charge!
An experience like the consulate can really suck the energy right out of you. Constant reminders that the day can't be "ruined" by any one thing, unless I allow it, helps. On the bright side, I now have even more time to wander the city of Angels today.

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My day of exploring America's 2nd largest city proceeded with a tour through the campus of the University of Southern California (USC). I've been near the campus before but never took the time to walk through it. I was very surprised by how beautiful it really is. Let's be Screen Shot 2016-05-08 at 3.21.07 PMhonest, the area around USC is not the best (to put it mildly). This probably is why the school has elaborate gates and walls to protect the campus from the outside world.

Once you get on campus, it's undeniably one of the most beautiful

campuses you'll see. I found myself at the California Science Center, right off campus at USC. That venue is also quite stunning. With some time to kill, I found myself watching a 3-D Imax film on national parks (narrated by Robert Redford). What an amazing way to spend an afternoon. I feel like I discovered a new part of an old city (for me).

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