Chinatown

Ah, the fiery dragons! During my wanderings of the El Pueblo plaza of Cinco de Mayo. I saw from across the streets that Chinatown was just there. Of course, could not let this opportunity pass. Chinatown in Los Angeles. It is amazing to see the differences in just the two ethnic communities I visited. They are neighbors, next to each other, side by side. The true American way.... a mixing salad of distinct cultures thrown in together. Mixing but also having their own distinct flavors, texture, and colors. Broadway Street is the main street through Chinatown. So most of the vendors, touristy stuff is on this main street. Here we are looking into the heart (background of picture) of LA --civic center plaza from Chinatown. Definitely more city feel with the speeding cars racing by. I did not exactly feel like I would be in a foreign country (like I did in the plaza of El Pueblo and down Olvera Street).But behold!! There are ethnic discoveries to be found. This shop, selling Buddhist merchandise, is located in one of the mall areas. Beautiful colored buildings with intricate designs.As one can see in this East Gate of the Central Plaza, not too many people walking about. (Probably all over celebrating Cinco de Mayo). It appeared that the folks who were out and about were the locals. As I noticed for El Pueblo with the majority of folks of Hispanic background, the majority of the folks I passed in Chinatown were from the "Far East" countries. And I noticed that I was "observed" more than the folks in El Pueblo.This is Ten Ho Temple. I did not spend too much time in Chinatown (about an hour and half) because one, it was later in the day and I was starting to feel spent from the fiesta of El Pueblo. But the primary reason, the aromas were intoxicating. People who know me well, know that I have an acute sense of smell. Incense was everywhere. I started sneezing and then got a headache and nausea especially coming from such overwhelming smells. This I thought was amazing because I was outside in a "well ventilated" space but yet I was experiencing the strong symptoms. Another reason why I did not go into many shops (just the grocery stores). But I feel Ten Ho Temple was the source of all intoxicating aromas. To be this close and that I did not faint to take the picture was rather unbelievable feat. But what a beautiful building! I wish I could have been able to go inside. It was open. But since my olfactory is so acute, aromas are very distinct to me. I smelled a lot of "new" things I have never smelled before in my life. I know I smelled marijuana from a few passerbys and some other nasty tobacco products. Major ick. My mom, hopefully half serious, said I probably smelled the opium dens as well. Goodness gracious! Maybe I should be hired by the police to smell out these nasty drugs. Oddly that night just when I got into bed some more aromas from the day came awashed over me. Very truly amazing. I had taken a shower and did not think that I would smell my clothes in the dirty hamper in the closet... but who knows.Is not this a beautiful mural? Aesthetics could be found here and there. Beauty in the simplicity of mundane, every day existence. Wabi Sabi. But yet so full of beauty and intricate character. Another noticeable thing about Chinatown. The amount of Ginseng roots. All the groceries sold them and the ginseng was in barrels and crates with varieties to select from. Food is very cheap. I got a bag full of tomatoes for a dollar (eight of them good sized romas). And then I got about five huge kiwis also for a dollar.

I would have liked to have gone to Japantown but that was on the other side of Civic Center of LA and it was already about 16oo hours. An adventure to be continued for another day. Japantown has a plaza like El Pueblo where it is only accessible by foot. My list of outings is starting to get larger and larger by the weekends. And only two days of the week to take advantage of such adventures. With the longer days, I may have to start doing some adventures after work during the evenings. We'll see.