Pine Ave, Long Beach, CA
January 14th, 2011
There were so many great photographs from this day that it was hard to chose just one for the blog. I decided on this one for several reasons: It best reflects Long Beach with the funky rollar coaster bridge, palm trees and high rises. Street murals like this were all over the place, large boards propped up to hide construction sites. And this was also the start of a beautiful afternoon.
After meeting the boys for lunch, I headed off in the direction of the elusive Walmart. As a Boston resident, Walmart is this mythical place in which things are uncommonly cheap - both the products and the people. There is no Walmart in the metro area, however, so I personally get to visit one once every 2-3 years. The fact that there was one in the middle of a city only 5 blocks from my hotel was amazing. Who knew Walmart would be my #1 tourist destination in Long Beach? But it was because I didn't bring a bathing suit and the 85 degree weather demanded that I have one. That and some hairspray.
So I headed down Pine Ave, coming across humorous signs about curfews, more murals and art painted on the sides of brick buildings and construction sites. Walmart itself was centered by a square. A lot of homeless people were hanging out, but there was also a farmer's market and street fair in progress.
I picked up freshly picked blood oranges (sweet!!) for snacking. A man selling locally grown apples cut slivers from his three varietals and then carved/sliced a whole apple in this funky eared/winged design. I was going to buy an apple, but when he just gave one to me for free, I didn't have a need for much more. Very cool though. Have I mentioned how much I love farmer's markets?
Beyond the farm and produce booths was a street fair Vendors selling trinkets and food stretched another two blocks. Southern BBQ, churros, hot dogs and Italian ice. The trinkets were literally all trinkets and tacky t-shirts and just junk. I would have LOVED it as a kid. Bouncy balls, cheap jewelry, little plastic toys, silly hats.
Everyone seemed happy, laughing and talking with friends. I think that's what I loved the most about those two blocks. It was the sign of a real community - an element that its hard to find when you're a tourist and in a city on business. That was the highlight of my trip, honestly.
