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No L.A. trip is complete without a visit to Griffith. It was absolutely packed that night, and so we parked lower on the hill since so many spots were taken, and hiked up. It was a nice hike at least, just after sunset, and the moon was full and swiftly rising.
We explored the inside before we went out for the view of the cityscape.
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Both my mom and I are huge Harry Potter fans, so of course our trip to L. A. wouldn't be complete without a trip to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. We were so excited! It was a gorgeous day, hot and brilliantly sunny. We went early, hoping to beat the worst of the crowds.
My mom had a great time with King Julien of Madagascar (we figured my niece would really like these photos but also, my mom is clearly having the time of her life here).
And then finally, the world of our dreams awaited us! It was so very amazing to hear the music from the films and the whole magical world right there!
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One of the reasons I'd decided to go to L.A. when I did was because one of my favourite bands would be performing there, and I'd managed to score tickets! Totally unexpectedly! I literally shrieked when my purchase went through (and if you know the hell that is Ticketmaster, you would not be surprised).
I was so excited, and felt very fortunate that my grandparents lived in L.A. so I could visit them and also not spend egregious amounts of money just to see pretty boys dance on stage and sing their hearts out.
I'd be going alone to the concert, but I do most things alone and really don't mind. Besides, I knew I'd be bonding with other fans there (which I did, even while waiting in line! Super wholesome experience). There's no concert like a Kpop concert, and this remains my favourite concert experience ever, even though it was my first major one!
I was so excited, and felt very fortunate that my grandparents lived in L.A. so I could visit them and also not spend egregious amounts of money just to see pretty boys dance on stage and sing their hearts out.
I'd be going alone to the concert, but I do most things alone and really don't mind. Besides, I knew I'd be bonding with other fans there (which I did, even while waiting in line! Super wholesome experience). There's no concert like a Kpop concert, and this remains my favourite concert experience ever, even though it was my first major one!
Spotted on the way to the concert.
By the end of the day my cheeks hurt from how hard I'd been smiling with excitement and I'd lost my voice from cheering.
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No trip to L.A. is complete without a trip to Santa Monica beach. My mom and I had a great time—it was a gloriously sunny day but not too hot, with a nice breeze off the water. We got tired of walking at some point and hired a bike taxi; the guy was hilarious and had been taxi-ing since the 70s. He had some great stories to tell, especially about the literal gangs the homeless population had formed on the beaches.
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Once my mom and I picked up our rental car, we went to downtown L.A. to check out The Last Bookstore.
It's a really magically designed bookstore and I loved exploring all the rooms and levels and displays!
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In July of 2022, I went to LA for a little less than a week to visit my grandma and to go to a Stray Kids concert (my first! I was very excited!) Upon arrival, my grandparents picked me and my mom and took us for brunch at a cute little place near them. Of course, I had to get orange juice (and pretty much got it every chance I got).
Then we headed home. I love my grandma's house. It's so bright and yet cozy at the same time. I especially like the little hummingbird feeder.
The next day, we went on a driving tour heading to Malibu beach, saw amazing mountain views, and had incredible ceviche (not pictured, we ate it too fast) at the Paradise Cove Beach Café.
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I did say my LA 2023 photos were next, but I just realized I snapped the same shot years apart. My composition and editing sure has changed. Check it out!
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Before I left for home, I spent a day in Tunis, shopping and exploring, and then headed to a coastal hotel the day before my flight. The hotel would've been lovely if they didn't ban the use of full-body cover-ups (burkinis) in the swimming pool. Very weird discrimination for a Muslim country.
I didn't bother with my camera, so all the following are from my phone. This is also the last post for this trip; I hope you enjoyed my cataloguing of it!
I didn't bother with my camera, so all the following are from my phone. This is also the last post for this trip; I hope you enjoyed my cataloguing of it!
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Kairouan is one of my favourite cities that I've visited in Tunisia. On this trip, we asked a local for directions to the mausoleum of Abu Zama El Belaoui (رضي الله عنهم ). He ended up taking us on a very thorough walking tour of, among others, seven holy sites, ending with the Great Mosque of Kairouan, which was fun if totally unexpected.
Here are some of the highlights from wandering the city.
Here are some of the highlights from wandering the city.
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We drove to Gabés, about an hour or so away, to visit a relative and also a maqam of the saint Sidi Lubaba, which was very pretty and, like the TARDIS, seemed bigger on the inside, somehow. The city itself is unique, being a place where you can see mountains, the sea, oases, and the desert.
Next post coming shortly; it's a long one (and one of the last for this trip!) or I would have merged it with this one. Stay tuned!