Las Angelitas

We're here now in Los Angeles, California. We arrived Saturday, Dec. 22, 2007, 10:28am (L.A. Time). Hmm... almost all of my friends asked me these questions in their IM/call: "How's L.A. compared to Chicago?" Actually, I'm still in the process of comparing the two. I will take this opportunity to answer this question so by the time I get back to Chicago, I hopefully will no longer hear this question:

(1) The ratio of Filipino: Non-Filipino is probably, 5:1. This is the number one difference I noted. Wherever we go, I can always recognize familiar language. It feels like I'm not in America...parang nasa Dubai din kami... which really feels good. In Chicago, I'm craving for Filipinos, haaarrr... bwahahaha!
(2) Because of #1, filipino stores sprouted here, there and everywhere! You will never miss Filipino goods here... where in Chicago you will unlikely find filipino stores... at least within our suburb.
(3) The roads are much nicer to drive. Although they have bigger lanes, their roads are more clear. (Andaming lubak lubak sa Chicago!)
(4) The best of all -- They have no snow! This is the number 1 aspect that I really enjoy. I can just wear rubber shoes (not boots), 2 layers of clothing, and I can go outside without ear muffs and gloves. The temp here feels like summer in Chicago.
(5) Houses are not made of concrete. I don't know how they call that bldg material, but it's a non-concrete. The reason being is because california is very prone to earthquake.
(6) But I find the people in Chicago much nicer. You can build friendship in train stations, trains, buses... wherever you go. Here in LA, it seems that people do their own thing.
(7) And of course... the shopping is cheaper! Although most of the brands here also exist in Chicago... LA has more thrifty stores which you will not find in Chicago. Hopefully, I will find more in the days to come!

So far, those are the only things that I observed. And so far, I am still enjoying the place. Our first stop was the Hollywood and Kodak Theatre...Yes, with all the stars and name imprints along the street. I had fun watching and taking pictures with the different hollywood "costumed" characters... but the sad part is you have to pay them for taking picture of them or with them. So, I was acting like a paparazzi when I was taking pictures of them... :(

Yesterday, we watched "I am Legend" in Burbank City and did again some shopping. We're scheduled to go to Las Vegas on 27th and 28th then proceed to Disneyland on 29th and Universal Studios on 30th. Other than that, we have no plans yet. So, I'm really looking forward for the days to come. I've been wanting this kind of vacation...eventhough it means having empty pockets when we go back to Chicago.

Merry Christmas to all and may we have a prosperous new year ahead of us!

Here are just some of our pictures:

With Tita Ledy at Kodak Theatre.

A picture taken by Randy while me sipping a hot coffee... reason for the funny face here... :)

From the airport, we went to Asia Buffet to have a sumptuous lunch. That's me with Tito Fred and Tita Ledy...

We just came from the airport and now travelling going to our place of lunch...





Syempre, ang palaging pose ng mga nagpupunta ng hollywood, hehehe. I sooo love Will Smith...