Los Angeles is one of the most special cities in the world. Even when the weather forecast announces that it’s going to be overcast with possible showers, you can still feel the presence of a bright yellow sun behind the clouds, and within hours the sky clears and that bright orb makes its appearance just in time for a last walk in the sunlight before dusk falls.
Beautiful as it still is and will always be to me, there are things that have changed. Nothing that’s unique to LA, but rather things that have changed across the United States. Melrose, the hip-happening street of fashion, food and fun, has now more FOR LEASE signs that it ever has before. Shutters are drawn across the empty store fronts, and the glass looks dusty, as if it’s been waiting for a new tenant for longer than it’s used to.
When we ate lunch today, a dark-haired, scruffy, tall homeless man walked over to the table behind us and took the tip that was left there for the waitress. We saw it, as did a woman inside the restaurant, and none of us did anything. It seemed to happen so fast. We all were sure he was going to take some item of food, but then he was gone and so was the waitress’ tip. What do you even do in a situation like this?
I’ve been taking photos. Too many, and probably mostly bad ones, but I’m finally going to try to catch some of the essence of this bizarre half-city-half-suburb in more than words.
I’m jet-lagged and exhausted and our trip took more than twenty-four hours. I think now is the time to sleep.
Slightly Ignorant 
I hope you have a good rest. This economy is so bad. It’s sad really. That poor man. When I was in Santa Monica in the early 90’s, seeing the homeless really bothered me. In my world, I didn’t “see” it so when I did, I felt so bad.
Have a great time in the good old USA.
Thank you :).
I know, it’s just so horrible. It’s one thing to hear about it in the news and know in a distant way that things are bad, but suddenly being here again and actually seeing the changes… Well, it makes it all seem more real.
Santa Monica is indeed a home for the homeless. I think it’s not as bad there today as it used to be, but it’s still a huge problem in any big city today. I read a statistic about the homeless in New York a while ago that was simply staggering.
I love the way you describe everything, even if some of it’s not pretty. I feel like I’m there.
Thank you so much for sharing.
Hope you had a great sleep and feel rested.
Wow! That’s crazy-insane that the guy took the money? Seriously. What DO you do in that situation? Great descriptions, Em. 🙂
Nothing to do…sad, maybe he really needed it, and I know the waitress might have really needed it, too and worked hard for it. I would rather have someone beg me for food or money which I’d gladly give to them what I could rather than have them steal from me.
I’ve been to L.A. three times in the last three years, and it just hasn’t appealed to me. Conversely, when I have been back East I always feel connected to it, which is odd because I’m an Arizona native. There is some strange connection deep down that just feels right to me back there. The West coast, while beautiful, just doesn’t feel the same.
But I’m glad you like it :^)
I’m glad you arrived safe & sound. I don’t think I’d have said anything either.