One Day in LA

I love LA and I jump all over any excuse I have to visit. Luckily the Beverly Hilton had just undergone a major renovation and I needed to check it out. America West First Class to LAX, what a joke that is, but still better than sitting in coach. I should have booked a private jet on a trip like this. I’m so annoyed with the airlines and airports that it makes it easier to justify an Easy AirShare fractional.

Down the escalators and direct to a sign: “Mr. Al-Sarraj” it says, yep, that’s me. I walk with the guy to my car. Ferrari F360 is fueled and waiting for me. Rough Life. Unfortunately traffic moves at a snails pace throughout the 27 minutes to the Beverly Hilton. I pulled up behind a Red Lotus Elise, a Bentley Continental GT pulled up behind me. I guess I’m in good company.

Alex, the gentleman checking me in comments on my Suunto watch. “You’re either a Runner or a Hiker”. I smiled, I only wished I was a runner. “I’m training for an adventure race” I told him. We talked about watches. He’s a runner and has been looking at buying a Suunto GPS watch. I showed him my Timex GPS watch so that he can compare features.

In the room I decided to load my Skype Panel up, buy some credits and make some phone calls. I called my good friend Albert, he works for a competing luxury publication that I will not name. Al and I cruised over to Westwood City, near the UCLA area. I’m amazed at how everything looks like a theme park in this town. I love LA. Afterwards I met up with an old friend of mine Angelo Tsaroucas. He’d made a good name for himself in Toronto as an Actor and now is making a go in LA. Pete, another good friend of mine was visiting Angelo, so we all decided to go out for a smoke at the Buena Vista Cigar Club.

The next morning’s first order of business is to find a diner. I love diners for the simple fact that they are informal and inexpensive. Usually a diner gives you a good idea of what the neighbourhood is about just from the clientele that pop in. After a little bit of walking about I spotted Roni’s Diner, looks good to me. David is Roni’s son, taking care of business with a hint of humor and sarcasm. “You should be so lucky to have a name like that” he mentions to a kid, also named David. “By the way, I like your shoes” he quips to the young man’s mom. They both walk out with a pizza and a smile. 20 minutes and $10 later and I’m walking out with a smile as well.

I’m loving LA. I’ve decided that another night is in order, I can extend my ticket for an extra day without penalty. Back to the Beverly Hilton, unfortunately they’re booked solid. I suddenly remembered William Shatner’s advice "Use Priceline". Within 5 minutes I was booked in the West Hollywood Hyatt, at a price I can’t disclose (but it was more than half the best rates I found!). Mapquest shows that I’m 3.62 miles from the Hyatt on Santa Monica Blvd and nearly a mile further if I take Wilshire. I had to give the Ferrari back today, but all is not lost, since I’m training for the Raid the North Adventure Race, I decided to carry my bags and walk. I took the long way.

In order not to get lost, I downloaded all the map quest pictures to my Creative Zen Vision, which came in handy many times.

I arrived at the Hyatt 2 hours later, checked in and went for another walk down Sunset Blvd. My good friends Angleo and Pete showed up a bit later and we went to Astro Burger for a bite to eat. What a great burger. That’s all I have to say about that.

The ironic thing about Sunset Blvd is that early in the morning it’s Sunrise Blvd. With the sun shining directly in my eyes, I figured it was time to wake up. No diners in this area, I grabbed a coffee, read the paper and waited for my limo to pick me up.

I did nothing for 2 days. I love LA!