Here in Los Angeles, I am an East Coast Transplant. I feel settled into my routine after four weeks of living and working here, but I am starting to think that no matter how much time I spend here in LA, I’ll never have that local vibe. I don’t bust out the winter coat when it’s less than 60 degrees, I don’t walk incredibly slow down the sidewalk with a pure-bred puppy and I certainly don’t fly down the freeway weaving in and out of lanes. Can an East Coast Girl ever truly become an Angeleno?
Pier-ing Out
In my last column, I resolved to say “yes” more to taking trips and opportunities. So, in the spirit of embracing this new city with everything I’ve got, the Penn State Hollywood students made their way to the ultimate tourist trap this past weekend: the Santa Monica Pier.
The West Coast lovechild of Coney Island and the Ocean City Boardwalk, the Pier cajoles you to spend your money for the most luxurious experience. Street performers charm you by playing steel drums, spitting bars and doing soccer tricks. On the streets adjacent to the ocean, restaurants of only the most overpriced caliber open their arms, coaxing you in with glamorous outdoor seating and frosty margaritas. And with the temperature being a beautiful 70 degrees with that light ocean breeze, how could you not become intoxicated with salty ocean air and get the full experience?
After getting our lay of the land at the pier, we ventured out to the promenade of stores. Every restaurant looked delicious, but as college students looking to eat as thrifty as we could, we stopped at a colorful Mexican food truck. Quickly, they served up hot quesadillas, tacos and burritos. Here on the West Coast, the Mexican food is delicious. My go-to as a vegetarian is a big veggie burrito, which I have had the pleasure of eating many of since my arrival here. Cheesy, substantial and undeniably flavorful.
The sun setting over the Pacific Ocean was one of the most beautiful things I had ever seen. To me, the sun setting, even over the water on the East Coast, was just a soft spread of orange light. Here, the sun looks like the little ball that I would doodle on my paper in kindergarten. You can watch that little ball drop down behind the ocean in only a matter of seconds, letting go of another day in paradise. As simple as it comes up, it goes right back down. As that little orange glow settle down, a ukulele cover of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” played longingly, a young man singing the perfect song for the perfect moment.
These are the moments I want to move to LA after graduation.
Imposter?
While the days are filled with sunshine and glamour, I cannot help but feel an inkling of imposter syndrome and guilt. My friends and family are hunkering down and bundling up in Pennsylvania, and I am out flexing in Santa Monica. Do I deserve the experience? I wonder if a lot of people who “make it” here in the entertainment business question whether they deserve it or not. Not that I’ve “made it,” but I’ve certainly made it out of Pennsylvania for now.
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