A byootaful Life

Thank goodness for my new 55-250mm IS lense because without it, I wouldn’t have been able to get this shot. The Hollywood sign is smaller and much farther away than I imagined! Luckily there’s a good view from one of the buildings on Hollywood Boulevard and, with my lense, I was able to finally get a half-decent shot.

Hollywood wasn’t what I was expecting. I think I’m used to seeing the glitzy Hollywood that is portrayed in so many TV shows and magazines and, as a naiive tourist, I didn’t realise that in amongst all that is also the harsh reality of homeless people, dirty streets and dodgy alleys. It was definitely an eye-opener. I noticed that on the weekends there were quite a few people dressed up in costumes, posing for photos with tourists and it made me wonder if they were businessmen by week, Batman by weekend hehe.

I loved the handprints out the front of the Chinese Theatre, especially since I’d been hoping to see the relatively new (2007) addition: the Harry Potter cast (Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint). Phill had commandeered the camera at that point and he reluctantly took a photo for me. He’s not into Harry Potter but what can I say? I’m a HP freak! Their names were a little faded, but you can still make it out.

We did an open-top bus tour around Hollywood and had all the major landmarks pointed out to us. We really enjoyed the tour (although we did get a little sunburned!) and took a gazillion photos (I am loving the battery life on my new camera!). The next day we came back and did an afternoon tour of LA’s Downtown district. We saw our first crime scene (no idea what happened, but the area was taped off and police cars were everywhere and there was a helicopter circling around above us) and some pretty awesome buildings too, like the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Isn’t it pretty? It was really good timing too because the sun was reflecting really nicely off the building. It’s such an imposing structure … and reminds me a little of our own Sydney Opera House, with its shapes and colour.

After the tour of downtown, we had to go to the Griffith Observatory, and when I say “had to” I mean “had to”, because it was going to be closed to the public the next day. We weren’t sure why, but soon found out when we got to the top of the hill (and discovered the Hollywood sign isn’t lit up at night)…

Linkin Park were there, rehearsing for their performance for the MTV Video Music Awards the following day! The lights were crazy blinding and there were hundreds of people around – we stood there in the freezing cold and listened to them rehearse. The observatory itself seemed to be ignored by the crowd until Linkin Park finished their rehearsal, then everyone rushed into the building to see the telescopes and exhibits.

I was extra excited about being up there because I could finally really bust out my camera and experiment with taking night photos. I was pretty happy with the results, even with my minimal knowledge about cameras and how they work! I love that it’s all so clear and non-blurry, even with the lights flashing everywhere and the low light. My new Canon rocks.