Bike Tour in the USA (2007), Part 3

Sunday, Sep 09, 2007

On the Streets of Los Angeles

Route: Hollywood-Santa Monica-Hollywood

Distance: 74.21 km, Time: 5 hours:54 minutes:58 seconds, Total: 74.21 km

   Conveniently the Wilshire Boulevard is meeting with the Santa Monica Blvd. which carried me to Santa Monica. Sunday afternoon traffic was not too busy, on a bike the meaning of 'traffic congestion' has a different meaning anyway. On the way I've stopped at a Taco chain restaurant and wanted to order my afternoon snack. The blond European waitress was chuckling even while I was ordering and she could not manage my order so that I had the impression she might be either on drugs or disabled. Her Mexican co-worker could not stand it and took over. Within a few minutes I had delicious Tacos with vegetables scalloped with cheese.

Santa Monica Pier

   In the already late afternoon I arrived at the Ocean Front and could discover the Santa Monica Pier down below. From the distance the pier looked indeed amusing, I've discovered many people walking between food stalls and the very small funfair. I pushed my bike over the crowded wooden bridge. On my left I discovered a busy DJ entertaining the crowd with African beats. I followed the crowd on the main street, trying not to be in the way of anyone.

   I came to the main attraction, a very small roller coaster. Many children were lining with their parents, waiting for their turn. I continued to walk at the end of the pier and watched the seemingly endless ocean. Taking the mandatory photo I could not help to think that the ocean would be my partner for the next four weeks and my bike journey to San Francisco and beyond. The sun was preparing to set so I should leave!

   I did not want to walk the same way back and tried to leave the pier walking over the beach. There I could discover red and white crosses in the sand, between them coffins draped with American flags. As I took a picture a middle aged lady came to me and explained that this is a peaceful demonstration against the war and for the American soldiers killed in action during the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Every white cross stood for one, every red cross for ten dead soldiers. Asking her why they do this she answered that they did not get a permission to do this on the Nation Arlington Cemetery. Even here on the Santa Monica Beach they could only get the permission for the day, in the evening they have to move the crosses and coffins and re-arrange them in the next morning!
   I think everyone should have their own thoughts on the reasons of war; for me it is very clear why oil-hungry USA started the war in the Middle East.

Sting sings in his song 'Fragile':

"If blood will flow when flesh and steel are one

Drying in the color of the evening sun
Tomorrow's rain will wash the stains away
But something in our minds will always stay

Perhaps this final act was meant

To clinch a lifetime's argument
That nothing comes from violence and nothing ever could
For all those born beneath an angry star

Lest we forget how fragile we are

On and on the rain will fall

Like tears from a star
Like tears from a star
On and on the rain will say
How fragile we are"

Anti Iraq and Afghanistan War Demonstration

   As I have already been here I've decided to wide along the nice bike path between the beach and different houses, shops and places. There were many beach cruisers which can be rented. They look a kind of strange with their long handlebars and are not very comfortable on long tours. Many do not even have gears, a convenience for the renter and not necessary on the very flat bike path. But I was carefully riding between them as there are seemingly no traffic rules and not many are experienced riders. I've shared this path also with pedestrians, joggers and roller skaters. On the beach are several volleyball fields, everyone seems to be sportive in this part of the world.

Member of a Volleyball Team

(to be continued)