the quiet
the absence of every other sound
save the persistent beating
of drums
the train track's occasional
trembling
the soul saying
yes
Showing posts with label Los Angeles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Los Angeles. Show all posts
Sunday, March 07, 2010
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Walking
Walking was nice tonight. I was able to see how long it takes to walk from my apartment to the elementary school where I'm currently student teaching: 25 minutes.
When I walked tonight, on the streets of Koreatown, I felt like I was in another country. It makes such a big difference to be on the sidewalk rather than on the road. I've lived in this town for several months now and always, new discoveries on foot. I bumped into stranger's shoulders. Saw children with their parents. Commuters on their way home, off the bus. Deserted alleyways. Dark schools. People selling food stuffs, pirated dvds, shiny trinkets. Several taco trucks. I was out between 7:30 - 8:30pm. Valet people waiting. The white doors, with door knobs and the signs of Korean hostess bars. Oaxacan signs indicating they can send money back home there. El Salvadorean restaurants I haven't tried yet. Bangladeshi markets, Vons, Ralphs, and Jons and a Mexican carniceria. People lining up for loans - payday loans? Homeless men with their shopping carts. Drivers in their cars, that don't see me. A cool breeze.
I liked how cramped the sidewalk was. I didn't mind being surrounded by people. I was reminded of India. 15 minutes into my walk, I forgot I had a purpose (to measure the time it took to get to my school, to be active, oh and a last minute decision to buy fruit).
In the dark, shops are brighter, people stand out, and since I felt slightly afraid to be out alone at night, I was hyper aware of everything. But it ended up being a very liberating experience. My surroundings took hold of me and transported me someplace else. Maybe it was because almost everyone and everyplace that I passed by, was actually from another place, another country.
Maybe I'm being silly, but for a few minutes, I felt like their stories spoke to me.
When I walked tonight, on the streets of Koreatown, I felt like I was in another country. It makes such a big difference to be on the sidewalk rather than on the road. I've lived in this town for several months now and always, new discoveries on foot. I bumped into stranger's shoulders. Saw children with their parents. Commuters on their way home, off the bus. Deserted alleyways. Dark schools. People selling food stuffs, pirated dvds, shiny trinkets. Several taco trucks. I was out between 7:30 - 8:30pm. Valet people waiting. The white doors, with door knobs and the signs of Korean hostess bars. Oaxacan signs indicating they can send money back home there. El Salvadorean restaurants I haven't tried yet. Bangladeshi markets, Vons, Ralphs, and Jons and a Mexican carniceria. People lining up for loans - payday loans? Homeless men with their shopping carts. Drivers in their cars, that don't see me. A cool breeze.
I liked how cramped the sidewalk was. I didn't mind being surrounded by people. I was reminded of India. 15 minutes into my walk, I forgot I had a purpose (to measure the time it took to get to my school, to be active, oh and a last minute decision to buy fruit).
In the dark, shops are brighter, people stand out, and since I felt slightly afraid to be out alone at night, I was hyper aware of everything. But it ended up being a very liberating experience. My surroundings took hold of me and transported me someplace else. Maybe it was because almost everyone and everyplace that I passed by, was actually from another place, another country.
Maybe I'm being silly, but for a few minutes, I felt like their stories spoke to me.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Alive and Well
I've been away for a month! The move from home to my own apartment and all the adjusting took some time. Phew, this is the last week before school begins too. Its difficult keeping pace with the change I've got going on these days. Haven't even thought of the housewarming, though it'd be nice.
It's really the first time I've lived in the center of Los Angeles. Los Angeles - what a crowded city. Cars, buses, families, construction, deconstruction, smog all spill on top of each other like boiling water overflowing from a too small pot. Though less cars and more green space would be ideal, I expected this change, from a slow suburbia to the craziness of the city. And unlike the last time I did the city (studying abroad in Tokyo) I feel less overwhelmed by the constant activity and am eager to live it up.
There's more to say - but will update next time once I get the internet running from the apartment. Quite an ordeal in and of itself - I LOATHE automated telephone operators and at the moment AT&T.
It's really the first time I've lived in the center of Los Angeles. Los Angeles - what a crowded city. Cars, buses, families, construction, deconstruction, smog all spill on top of each other like boiling water overflowing from a too small pot. Though less cars and more green space would be ideal, I expected this change, from a slow suburbia to the craziness of the city. And unlike the last time I did the city (studying abroad in Tokyo) I feel less overwhelmed by the constant activity and am eager to live it up.
There's more to say - but will update next time once I get the internet running from the apartment. Quite an ordeal in and of itself - I LOATHE automated telephone operators and at the moment AT&T.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)