Blog 811 Day 58, In Hollywood/Los Angeles. Steps total last night, 1,343,962.

It is a privilege to have stayed in the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel even for just one night. When I settled in yesterday, and was comfortable, lying quietly on (rather than in) a strange four-poster bed, the TV was on, and I was “quite getting into a hospital drama” which looked familiar. Suddenly, I jumped out of my skin. I felt the earth move, and the roaring noise aroused me from a travel-fatigue induced slumber. No, it wasn’t the interaction of tectonic plates…. As I would ascertain later, it was the air-conditioning unit in dire need of scrapping. Hotel maintenance assured me there was nothing wrong. I beg to differ. But I became accustomed to these intermittent tremors and indeed slept for England as soon as, later, my head hit the pillow.

Very late arrival at Los Angeles from Flagstaff

Late night visit to one of the numerous souvenir outlets.

I awoke at around 8 am feeling like I had slept well. Although I only really had the one decent day here (my train for New Orleans was not due away until 10pm) it wasn’t until 11-ish that I sought inspiration from the Hotel Concierge. He suggested the Griffith Observatory atop a rather steep hill (or mountain) around 20 minutes’ drive from the Roosevelt Hotel. I now actually have an Uber App on my phone and for the first time, I tried it out. Sure enough, a smart green car drew up and I was whisked efficiently to the Observatory. There were lots of people around enjoying the views to be had, and some of the hiking trails of different levels of ability. I stayed up there, and tried Uber once again. No Internet!

Views from the Observatory Trail (I didn’t walk far!)

The L A. Subway Hollywood and Vine Station

Movie related subway wall decoration at Hollywood and Vine.

Movie cameras at Hollywood and Vine station.

Eventually, I met three people who were heading back for the Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard, and they invited me to join them.

All sorts of unlikely people have their name etched in the glittery pink stars, of which there are well over 2,500 decorating the sidewalk, both sides of Hollywood Boulevard

It’s nice to see classical conductors and violinists among the celebrated. My return to Hollywood Boulevard on a free bus and the Subway train didn’t cost anything! I walked with my three newly made friends as far as the Hotel, and would have stayed with them longer, but I was leaving for New Orleans later in the evening and I wanted to make sure I hadn’t overlooked anything before I moved on.