Venice
January 26th, 2022
Venice is a shitty place. Or it's heaven. It really depends on which street you enter. The rich and the poor are all situated there. Even when you stroll through the Venice canals, you might pass by a million dollar house first and a run down cottage next. Though honestly, the latter has become rare at the canals. When you leave this oasis of water, greenery and modern living, it only takes one street to encounter a campsite for the homeless. Complete parks and streets are filled with tents. I took some photos of it from afar, but didn't dare to come close. I'm a girl all by herself - I'm just trying to get out of this city unscathed. Still, the emotional footprint is hard to avoid.
Seeing people live in cars and tents on such a massive scale is heartbreaking. Something is constructively wrong in this country. Girls in designer dresses are doing elaborate photoshoots in one street while people have to sleep in garbage only one block over. It's every man for themselves out here.
As just my walk to Venice had already been filled with impressions, I needed to charge up. I had a coffee at the Great White, two blocks away from Venice Beach. It was neatly fenced off, keeping reality at bay. The waiters were nice and gorgeous, their outfits varying between white and écru. The girls were wearing jogging pants and puffers while the boys were all gangstered up in expensive hoodies. And if I say all, I'm not exaggerating. LA is a place to wear oversized clothing, with those hoodies in particular. You bring them everywhere. They cover your hair and body, hopefully making you invisible to all the crazy heads around here.
Though the café was a stark contrast against the busy streets full of loiterers and screaming hippies, it was a welcome sanctuary. There's little that I love more than restaurants that immediately provide you with a cold water jug. I also love waiters that know how to make conversation - and especially cute ones that converse with interest. It's probably hypocritical that places like that put me at ease. I can't help it. Life can be harsh enough, it's nice to avoid reality every once in a while. Perhaps I'm no better than the people who hide behind fences and take off in their Tesla's.
Still, why should I prefer the harsh streets? I walked the streets today - many of them. There were multiple times I had to contemplate whether to ease my pace and stay out of a nutball's eye sight, or just run past them There was an abundance of cat calls, shouts and stares.. Perhaps it was the brick red dress I was wearing or just my blonde hair. I was also wearing heels - but not the sexy ones, they're Crocs for god's sake. I just use them to be even taller. There's no hiding with my height anyway, so I attempt to look bigger in my hoodies and my platforms, to look more intimidating. It draws attention, but hopefully keeps away any harassment.
During my walk, a young couple stopped me and asked me if it was safe for pedestrians out here. As handsome, hip Americans, they looked to be more at home than me. Though they could be from anywhere, it was odd that I would have to instruct them about the dangers and safety of the area. Perhaps I'm really testing my luck to be here on my own, relying on public transport. Still, I hope to not shut my eyes for the harsh reality. I'm here to get to know LA, the good and the bad. Today showed me that I not only want to earn a lot of money in the future - I hope to earn enough to help others out.
