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View into the City of Salzburg (Austria) during Morning Haze. A great and interesting Day approaching with a tremendous Fotowalk!!

Sony ILCE-6700 and Tamron 17-70mm F2.8 at F=10.0!

Press L to enlarge!!

Tags:   Grün

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Los Angeles: A City of Contrasts

Visiting Los Angeles was an experience I’ll never forget, though it left me with mixed emotions. Like many people, I had imagined Hollywood Boulevard as a glamorous, iconic destination. Seeing it in person, however, was underwhelming. The Hollywood Walk of Fame and the TCL Chinese Theatre didn’t wow me as I had hoped—they felt far less magical than I’d envisioned.

On the other hand, the Walt Disney Concert Hall completely blew me away. Designed by the renowned architect Frank Gehry, it’s an incredible building, both visually stunning and internationally recognized for its state-of-the-art acoustics. We used this stop as a toilet break, as they allowed the coach passengers to use their facilities. “Very kind of them” Another memorable site was the historic Roosevelt Hotel. Knowing it hosted the very first Academy Awards back in 1929 and had been home to stars like Marilyn Monroe and Montgomery Clift added a touch of Hollywood nostalgia that I really appreciated.

Unfortunately, our coach tour of the city fell short of expectations. While it promised to showcase L.A.’s most famous landmarks, the lack of stops and the relentless traffic made it more frustrating than enjoyable. The sprawling five-lane freeways were jam-packed, turning the journey from our cruise ship to downtown into a test of patience. I understood the logistical challenges, but it was disappointing to merely drive past so many incredible sights without being able to truly experience them.

One such fleeting moment was the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Its grandeur and historical significance left me wishing for the chance to explore it properly, but instead, it was just a quick view from the window.

The tour guide did share some fascinating Hollywood tidbits, which kept things interesting. For example, we passed The Viper Room, infamous as the spot where River Phoenix tragically passed away in 1993. We also drove by a seemingly ordinary ATM, which the guide nicknamed the “Hugh Grant ATM” due to its association with the actor’s 1995 arrest. Another highlight was the now-completed bridge from the movie Speed. Seeing it brought back the iconic image of Keanu Reeves’ character driving a bus over the unfinished edge—a classic Hollywood moment.

Driving through Skid Row was eye-opening and heartbreaking. The stark contrasts in L.A. were impossible to ignore. This area, officially known as Central City East, has one of the largest populations of homeless individuals in the U.S., with over 4,400 people living there. The streets were lined with makeshift homes—cars, trucks, and trailers converted into living spaces. It was a sobering reminder of the city’s deepening housing crisis, juxtaposed with the immense wealth and glamour found just miles away.

Despite its challenges, Los Angeles left a lasting impression on me. It’s a city of contrasts, one that fascinates and provokes reflection. But it’s not somewhere I’d want to spend much time. I think just catching glimpses of L.A., rather than delving deeper, might be the better way to experience it.

One exciting note during our visit was that the L.A. Dodgers won the Baseball World Series, beating the New York Yankees 4-1. Everywhere I looked, there were signs saying “Go Dodgers,” which brought a sense of celebration and unity to the city.

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