No Canals Today

I’m in Venice but it’s not Italy. It has canals but I won’t visit today.  It’s around 8:30 and I hurry to put my warm-ups on and head out to the beach before the Saturday crowds arrive.   I like encountering people along the way that take it as a fact that only a local could be out and about early morn. A commonality, real or assumed, that brings out the most cordial in people. I get many good mornings along the way.

I love the vibe and the creativity this town emanates. Apparent even on the sidewalk. I stop so often, my walk may be sabotaged by it.

A brief look up to be puzzled by people forming a line for an Adidas sale at a local store:

Then there are the murals which are everywhere and unavoidable. 

On empty lots:

On a house’s fence:   

I found it of note that the wall chosen by a homeless was one devote of any:

Another with a burst of color:

As I walk by, a memory comes of a meal at a restaurant I like, The Butcher’s Daughter, where I said goodbye to a friend heading north.

Venice makes me smile, even with its requests:

Back to the murals. This one always makes me stop and ponder a bit. She looks so sad and introspective.

And very apropos, the next thing that catches my eye is this one of  TrustyScribe of a subject that is so misunderstood and so few of those affected (the one with it and those around them) know how to handle.

More murals, this one with French.

Oh, and if your breakfast wasn’t dope… here’s a food truck (their proliferation competing with the murals) who is “making breakfast dope again”. 🙂

Some murals are pretty intricate.

Art is everywhere. Some exulting your civic duty along with your emotional one.

I love the beach cottage/bungalow construction but I really like Victorian houses as well and this one stands out.

I’m getting hungry… yes, I’d love some but am on this Keto diet (a very low carb thing) and still have pounds to go. A confession… I’ve been off it so mayyyybe…

I pass the Ellison Suites  with its super cool murals. It amuses me that they also had to write on it: “This is not a hotel.” probably from the myriad of inquiries they get.

I think this quote by Lana del Rey defines Los Angeles… “Singing in the old bars, swinging with the old stars, living for the fame…”

And then there’s Jim.

Instructing us to “Try to set the night on fire”

Murals with depth and little stencil animals abound.

I am now on the beach. A VW bus bursting in color and nostalgia… and merchandising.

The people in this town as colorful as the murals.

 

I LOVE hugging and what this mural means.   

Mural competing with the architecture.

This time, it’s mosaic tiles:

Can’t walk my bike (I don’t have one and never learned to ride!). 

Did I mention it was Christmas?  

I think this mural confused even the birds.

This mannequin fits right in with the crowd. I think it had on too many.

I put my feet on the beach just in case you doubt that there any water and sand in my walk.  I take the obligatory shots. 

The sea is rough today attracting many surfers.

 

Who said you can’t stand on water?  

 

Californians can do it all because Cali is gold…  

I remind myself that I am still on a diet and manage to avoid two of my favorite things: funnel cakes and soft ice cream. 

It helps to remind myself that I am in Venice a town where most are a size 2 (though I’ll never be that again). And those that aren’t, are working at getting as buff and in shape as possible. The guy playing paddle had only one arm and was playing harder than the others. Gives me little excuse. Muscle Beach is deserted probably because it is a bit too early for them to show off. 

Not too early for a photo shoot.

But I digress, so back to the murals where I am a voyeur as bunnies get some action. 🙂

I have to detour because the alley I took was blocked off and I encounter so many more murals. Some advertising stores, food trucks, restaurants, some on private homes, some just as adornment. All pretty cool, coloring my path.

A bit of colorful history.: when Mr. Abbot Kinney built Venice of America, Main Street was a canal. Guess that technically means I can walk on water. 

Nearing home I realize that I really am a Venice fan. 

Knock, knock… where will I go next?