los angeles – Page 2 – stephenlirakis.com

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES

I am constantly told that Los Angeles is architecturally devoid. These photos are in a six block area of Broadway. Built between 1880 and 1930, the same prosperous era as elsewhere. The Los Angeles Conservancy does what it can to preserve this rich history, with volunteers manning walking tours of downtown.

DOWNTOWN LA

I could caption the pictures, but really, what is the point?

LOS ANGELES AT MY FEET

Farmer’s Market

It is important to live a healthy life, and to do that one must eat well. The farmer’s market is a good way to accomplish that… and be amused at the same time.

LOS ANGELES ARCHITECTURE

Never let anyone tell you Los Angeles is not fun. It is a most diverse city; culturally, architecturally; gastronomically. Full of Flowers. All that money has truly attracted the best of the best.

There is however , never a quite moment. there is always noise from something somewhere. It is a walking city contrary to urban myth. There are so many neighborhoods. The weather, what can I say, coming from New England, it is paradise.

I am a New Englander, burdened with the past, the puritan ethic that I deserve to suffer; and if I am having fun, something must be wrong and I will be somehow punished. It makes it hard to embrace paradise feeling that way, but I can try.

Christmas in LA

Christmas in Los Angeles is a concept that seems to embody everything we, from the East, imagine about California. Everything we are not, and If it not in our image, it cannot be right.

In the East we carry the burden of our history. In New England for example the heritage of the Puritans weighs heavily. We feel guilty if we are having too much fun, we scorn those who do not conform, perhaps not by putting them in the stocks in the town square, but rather with a social slight. Somehow we are right and they are wrong.

I have discovered the difference refreshing and not as great as we might like to think. I have found a place that is every bit as culturally rich as the East; but not in the same way. As it is still new to me I am still intrigued.