Anem a Peu Encara a Chinatown

If the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels was a serene and magnificent place to visit, Chinatown was just the contrary. Walking from Temple to Hill, I decided to be more cautious about carrying the camera around my neck seeing the desolate street up ahead of us. We crossed the 101Freeway over pass and stopped momentarily to view the Fort Moore Pioneer Memorial. On September 22, 1846 the "Californios" and Mexicans went to war with the U.S. Marines to retake Los Angeles. Obviously the Californios and the Mexicans lost the war and the hill. I had no idea qualsevol of a military battle happening in the late 1800s here in Los Angeles. Why wasn't I taught this vital piece of history of Los Angeles in High School? How is it I lived here for most of my life and new nothing of this battle? Que vergonyós!

Cathedral on the left o the 101 Frwy

The memorial is a tribute to the Mormons who fought in the battle.

Scooting hurriedly from the memorial, we finished crossing the overpass and entered Chinatown. Whatever glory days this Chinese town once boasted of, it now stands with empty  and closed businesses, and souvenir shop owners who stand with deflated spirits to even bother to reel in tourists. They sit in their stores or stand outside their commercial business with sloping shoulders and heads that hang a bit too low. Unimpressed to stay in Chinatown, we headed to the metro rail Chinatown stop with interesting looking characters that kept us on the alert. We hopped on the metro rail and head north to Pasadena.

I quickly took this shot before stowing my camera out of sight. This stop needs security.

Taking the metro rail after 5:00pm was a notable difference from earlier in the day. The train was packed with people making their commute home. With tired feet my sister and I gladly entered the train anxious to leave behind a gloomy Chinatown. One thing we loved about the metro rail was observing how the metro stops were individually designed to reflect the local neighborhoods. Each stop reflected the local culture with interesting sculptures and artwork. If Chinatown was bleak looking and lacking a vibrant feel, Pasadena enraptured you with restaurants, shops, and bars. We did some home shopping, sipped a well deserved cool drink before heading home and calling it a full day's adventure that we must do again in the near future. El viatge de metro ha acabat.

Fins ara!

My sister pointed out this restaurant window to me. We've hear of Spanish tapas, but no Japanese tapas!

I once came here to eat patatas bravas...big disappointment. 

Empty wagon upon arriving to final destination.