EXPLORING HOLLYWOOD - DAY 33 - I did a LAP AROUND THE WORLD

[@raywiecha]

Your perception of downtown Los Angeles was similar to mine when I went a few years ago. For whatever reason, it’s a complete ghost town outside of the typical weekday business hours. I also found the main issue with LA is that it’s just so vast that you do need to do your research if you’re visiting on a budget. The best “budget friendly” options are any popular outdoor activities, like walking along Hollywood Boulevard near TCL Chinese Theatre to check out the Hollywood Walk of Fame, hiking around Runyon Canyon Park where you’ll get great photo ops of the Hollywood Sign, Hollywood Bowl and downtown LA, have a beach day in Santa Monica or Venice, and visit the Griffith Observatory. Not only is it an interesting science museum, but it gives you an incredible vantage point to show you how vast LA really is. You should give LA a second chance when you’ve saved up enough money working full time again and combine it with a road trip of California or the Southwestern United States as the weather and scenery is incredibly beautiful in this part of the USA.

[@kevinjohn167]

Yeah it wasn't what i expected at all! For a big city full of skyscrapers there was no one to be seen! Very weird vibe. But you're so right, i need to give LA another chance when i have some money so i can experience it properly... I think being so jet lagged didn't help my mood either 🤣

[@Nousinvisibles]

❤

[@kevinjohn167]

Thanks

[@razhazel1233]

Went LA in April on the way back from Hawaii. Had the same experience. So many homeless people on the metro shouting aggressively and high. Didn't feel safe. Was happy to go home.

[@kevinjohn167]

Yeah crazy isn't it! not what i expected at all... And the homeless situation is like nothing i've ever seen before!

[@cygnusconsultancy]

I felt the same when I went many years ago, I got verbally attacked while walking, by someone who said they were going to stab me cause apparently I looked at them the wrong way, they followed me shouting for about 5 minutes. I went in a shop and security told them to bugger off, told me it’s just someone on drugs no drama, then they just started on someone else. It was terrifying! Never been back since.

[@kevinjohn167]

Yeah it's actually a crazy place isn't it... I'm sure LA is lovely in parts but they do have a massive homelessness and drug issue which they can hopefully sort in the future!

[@Jon_JC]

I've heard downtown LA is best avoided, especially around Skid Row. Interesting how you felt more unsafe here than in other countries presumed to be less safe. We definitely need to change our perception around this.

[@kevinjohn167]

Isn't it! The craziest thing about this whole trip was finding out i felt less safe in the USA and the UK than in some of the places deemed more dangerous! But yeah... Downtown was a weird vibe for me. I'll have to give LA another go at some point and properly plan it out this time 🤣

[@Jon_JC]

It'd be good if you carried on the vlogging when you're back and transitioning back in to the world of employment. Or how you get on in Dubai @@kevinjohn167

[@ukfinancialpreparedness7772]

When we went to the walk of fame, the tour guide said stay within one block either side of it as “it wasnt safe”. That was in 2001 and it is way worse now

[@kevinjohn167]

Ahh jeez! I didn't have a tour guide and was just wandering around the area... Maybe thats why i didn't feel safe 🤦‍♂️

[@explorewithpatti]

When is the next one up?

[@kevinjohn167]

Should hopefully be this weekend! It been taking me ages to edit haha

[@marketr.206]

Not sure when this was recorded but perhaps your visit was affected by Hollywood strikes?

[@kevinjohn167]

Ahh maybe! It was a few months ago this was filmed :)

[@rickymargolis2037]

Ah I’m sorry you didn’t have the best time but LA is a place you do need to research and plan before you go so that you’re not just spending all day in traffic. It’s not like NYC or London. If you do that you’ll have an amazing time. Next time go to the beach and explore Santa Monica/Venice for a proper California experience, work your way back via the Getty center, stop off in West Hollywood for food/drinks and DON’T stay in downtown. It needs a bit of planning but hopefully you’ll give it a second chance.

[@kevinjohn167]

Yeah i'll 100% give it a second chance... To be honest i didn't plan anything and was so jet lagged, i think all that had an effect too haha 🤣

[@rickymargolis2037]

Jetlag going to LA is always brutal in either direction. There are loads of chill things you can do there perfect for that. Sometimes you're just in the wrong place at the wrong time and not really feeling it, sounds like that was your experience. Get a local to show you round next time, it'll be like a different city! I'm enjoying following your journey.@@kevinjohn167

[@kevinjohn167]

Yeah i 100% need a local to show me around and give me that true LA experience! And thank you for following the journey, it means a lot!! @@rickymargolis2037

[@user-TracyThorne]

Wow way too quite for my liking too..but yes for the money in LA and the rich and famous there is way too many homeless people apparently so is Las Vegas full of it too and we think our country is bad for it..

[@kevinjohn167]

I know! i didn't think it would be so bad