The LA Diaries- Embracing The Tourist In You

I always hear such negative connotations associated with being a tourist. 'Oh the place has been ruined by the tourists' or even, 'they're not cool enough to seek out the rare gems this city has to offer. Think outside of the box!'. Well why would you when you're in a place like LA? You want to see what restaurant it was where Brad Pitt dressed up as a chicken mascot before making it big. Or what bank Charlize Theron got in to a heated exchange in and was spotted by a talent agent. Ahh, humble beginnings. But the point is when you're in a place such as Los Angeles, it seems ludicrous that you wouldn't want to indulge in the cult beginnings and present day revival that the city is so famed for.

I started off my week walking across the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. The endless pavements encrusted in superstars of yester-year and today could take a whole day to walk. Thanks to Penis-gate, I may have spent a bit longer by Orlando Bloom's star, which I probably wouldn't have beforehand. But when you find the star of someone you love and adore, it's just you and that person, despite the bustling crowds of fellow star-seekers. And once I was hungry, I grabbed a bite to eat at Hooters. Many may think you'd enter in to the world of a slightly less X-rated Pornhub, but it's nothing of the sort. Just ridiculously attractive girls wearing booty shorts, giving great customer service and serving yummy food.

Oh what about the shopping, you may ask? And also the shopping you can't really do most importantly...Honestly, there's nothing like the thrill of walking in to a designer store on Rodeo Drive, picking up something as small as a key-ring and then putting it back down after finding out it's worth $300. Me and you may just stick to Primark. But the opulence of that street is immeasurable. Oh and the jaw-dropping Beverly Wilshire Hotel is just around the corner. The place is literally like a labyrinth. Bliss.

Griffith Observatory is of course a must. Dubbed as 'Southern California's gateway to the cosmos', it does a firm job in delivering just that. It also gives you unparalleled views of the great Hollywood Sign. But how many people really do the hiking trails which surround the iconic sign? Not many. Needless to say, hiking for me is such a luxury while I'm in the States. We just don't have the type of terrain and sense of nature related astonishment to rival the activity in England. And hiking when there's just a handful of people here and there, gives you even more fulfillment in the experience. And as for the views you're met with upon summit, it's just so breathtaking. 

Lastly, who wouldn't want a spot of playtime? Universal Studios is SO worth it. I actually met a guy the night before I went who told me it didn't live up to his expectations due to a lack of a speedy roller-coaster rides. But I took it with a pinch of a salt. This isn't Thorpe Park. This is a nostalgic, feel-good experience which combines your creativity, cinematic experiences and icons to fuel the adrenaline you need to have a one-of-a-kind experience. Granted, I think I nearly cried when I saw the Jurassic Park section. The theme song is everything. Life made.

Part 2 of The LA Diaries right here