July 9, 2013
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Melrose and Sushi
Katayoun came back from Joshua Tree National Park and she, Avi and I went to have sushi for lunch at a place called Sushi-gen. I think the combination of sushi and coffee gave me bubblies in my stomach for the whole day. This resulted in unwarranted surprise flatulence for the rest of the day which involved shopping in Melrose. I wondered if it was possible to start a new trend of surprise flatulence.
I knew Kat would love Melrose and judging from her reaction at the end of the day, she seemed to have loved it. It turned out a lot better than our trip to the OC and Compton, which was really just a whole day of driving around and giving her terrible anxiety attacks.
We talked about how different cultures travel differently. I guess it’s very hard for foreigners to adjust to how much we have to drive in LA. In most other places, we have to take public transportation. The horrible thing about that is all the waiting you have to do for the trams, buses, or trains. I grew up driving everywhere so it feels more natural that I can hop into my car and go wherever I need to go. I remember when I lived in Amsterdam, that was what pissed me off – having to take buses and trains to what seemed like such a short distance when driving there would have been a lot faster – even in traffic. When I compare it to Tokyo, Taipei, NY, and Amsterdam…I still feel like I am most accustomed to my lifestyle here. Most major cities use the metro, but LA is still a car city. Katayoun was asking me why I could ever want to leave LA since it is so nice, but I think once you live long enough anywhere, it’s no longer “nice.” It is just a lot more work to adapt to a new infrastructure of a foreign city than to stay put and plug yourself into the city you’re most comfortably uncomfortable in. I think that is what I have done. She told me that Rachel is back in Maastricht doing another degree and I was a bit surprised and jealous, but I knew that in the end, another one of ‘those’ degrees would still result in joblessness and despair. No use- better to stay here and get on track for a real job.
Comments (7)
the OC? the show totally killed the name. i’ll start referencing LA ‘the LA.’
“why I could ever want to leave LA since it is so nice” That is the first time I have ever heard someone say that about LA ;’) you must have taken her to all the good restaurants.My attitude towards public transportation cities is often that I prefer to walk anything about 20 minutes rather than wait for a bus or metro. When I was in Europe I did a *lot* of walking. But it was fun. I think it’s interesting how strange our car culture can seem to outsiders.I don’t think Flatulensushi would be a good name for a sushi place, even though it might be memorable.
LA is great. The only city I like better (living wise) is Berkeley.
@jedeyeyam - well, I hated LA until I lived away from it for 2 years- then it became not so unbearable. You will start to miss the weather, the food, and yes, even the driving and having your own car. I know, I know, it’s hard to believe, but you have to try it yourself (living abroad for a few years) and tell me you don’t feel the same way. There are drawbacks to any place you live, but even LA assholes will seem like old friends when you live away from home long enough. And as disconnected as we are from each other, I still believe (or would like to believe) that we’re more friendly to each other than NY’ers are.
Agreed re: drawbacks everywhere. I don’t like the pollution in LA. I do like the food culture though. Hmmm… Not so sure I’m crazy about LA assholes though ;’D
Oh, you lived in LA this whole time?
@coolmonkey - yup!