Imagine taking ‘the bus’ in LA. I’m not anti-public transportation despite the fact that I never use it in San Francisco. Why? Bottom line – it’s inefficient, yet many will disagree with me. London, New York and Paris are efficient, San Francisco is not.
LA is not really efficient either, however if you’re attempting a few designated neighborhoods, know the route and have less of a time concern (like I often do in San Francisco), it can be a very colorful experience.
My cell phone rings; it is a new business lead from a CEO of a technology start-up based in LA. I have to excuse myself for a moment to ask the bus driver about my stop, and I hear Gordon say, “Where are you?” “On the bus,” I reply.
A pause and then a period of silence. “In LA?” he asks as if in shock. I laugh. “Yes, in LA.” Apparently its rare that people attempt public transportation here, partially because its so spread out and partially because like San Francisco, its probably not all that efficient.
Yet, I ended up taking a train from Hollywood to Long Beach during the same trip to avoid traffic and because we were fortunate to have someone pick us up on the other end and drop off us carside on the way back.
The sun was shining, the stars names melded into the cement on Hollywood Boulevard, people were eating ice cream cones and I could hear tourists on the streets. It was remarkable how many British accents I heard. (since I have lived there, I also noted that more accents were from the north rather than London).
Dare I pull out a laptop or mobile device during a moment such as this, I realized that the embedded sounds, smells and sights would change. Changed and altered in a way that would take on new meaning.
And there it was, the bus. I learn that the 217 bus headed west to Melrose from Hollywood. Why not? Had I not lived on the metro and public buses in Europe for years and even our very own New York City.
LA’s map is easy when you learn what your options are. They’re extremely limited, meaning the red line takes you west to San Fernando Valley, including Universal City and Laurel Canyon), the blue line takes you south to Long Beach, and the green line takes you east to Norwalk and west to Redondo Beach. East LA heading towards Pasadena seemed to be under construction.
What a pleasure. Did I mention the sun was shining?
“How often do they come?” I repeatedly asked two British tourists, one who had an obvious mangled hand. A disability that he seemed to notice as much as many I’ve met in the past 48 hours would notice a bad hair day. What a smile and sense of optimism he had, so much so that I decided to follow them to two stops beyond my original destination, to the renown Farmers Market on Third Street.
Out we jumped. It wasn’t industrial, but certainly not visually appealing, not until I made my way through the rear path into the market (poorly marked) and immediately embarked upon the French Crepe outside dinner cushioned in between a nuts & candies stand and Marcondas Meats.
The French Crepe Company offered a create your own savory crepe option as well as sweet choices, including the Metro, which was nothing more than a huge slab of butter topped with a ton of sugar. Ouch, poor stomach.
It was a refreshing maze of shops and food stands, not too unlike some of the European markets, except for the obvious tacky trinkets that lined every alley.
Sweet for Americans who have lived abroad for so many years, that they get to a point where surrender becomes easier than discovery.
So I walked, just like I used to nearly every weeked for months and months at London’s Camden Market.
It was the era where we all wore black mini skirts, tight black sleeveless tops and black leather coats, silver bangles, chokers and boots that Madonna would embrace. I embraced it all. I could write an entire novel on Camden Lock btw.
On my way out, I talked to the guys at the Korean BBQ and then strolled past The Gumbo Pot (no sausage please), Charlies French Toast & Waffles (okay not a NE diner, but oh so great), Phils Deli where they ‘serve breakfast all day,’ Sushi A Go-Go, Coffee Corner, Bryans Pit Barbecue, Ulysses Greek and finally Duck Soup Pop Culture.
Renee Blodgett is the Founder and Managing Editor of We Blog the World, a global travel, culture and lifestyle publication exploring the world through the lens of meaningful experiences, human connection and cultural depth. Having lived in 10 countries and traveled to 95, Renee has spent much of her life immersed in the people, traditions, landscapes and ideas that shape how we experience the world.
Since launching We Blog the World in 2007, she has written and produced extensive editorial coverage spanning boutique and luxury travel, culinary experiences, arts and culture, wellness, adventure, technology, spiritual traditions and transformative travel. Her work is rooted in the belief that travel is about more than where we go—it is also about what a place, culture or encounter awakens within us.
Renee brings more than three decades of experience across journalism, photography, media, brand strategy, technology, wellness and global storytelling. She has worked with companies and organizations around the world on brand positioning, communications, product launches, media strategy, speaker positioning and storytelling. Through Blue Soul Media, she works with authors, entrepreneurs, thought leaders and purpose-driven brands to clarify their message and expand their impact, which includes speaker coaching/training for high-profile stages such as TED and bringing authors’ work to market while retaining authors rights.
She is also the co-founder of Blue Soul Earth, an educational platform exploring consciousness, ancient wisdom, spirituality, healing and the intersection between science and the nature of reality. Renee is the producer and host of the award-winning Blue Soul CHATS, a conversational series bringing together leading voices in science, technology, consciousness, wellness and spirituality.
Her growing body of work also includes Blue Soul Living, which extends her interest in consciousness and well-being into the spaces we inhabit, exploring how intentional design, energy and environment can support greater harmony and connection.
Renee is the award-winning co-author of the bestselling Magdalene’s Journey and founder of the Magdalene Collection, inspired by women’s voices, stories and wisdom across cultures and generations.
A longtime photographer and storyteller, Renee has documented people, places and cultures around the world and produced photographic collections focused on destinations including the Galápagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome and Ecuador. She also co-founded Traveling Geeks, an international initiative that brought entrepreneurs, journalists, creators and technology leaders together with their counterparts in other countries to exchange ideas and explore innovation across cultures.
Renee’s work has been recognized by Forbes, the United Nations and others for her influence in media and social storytelling. Across her work in travel, media, consciousness and culture, a common thread remains: curiosity about the world, the stories that connect us and the ways meaningful experiences can change how we see ourselves and one another.
