Los Angeles - The Bad

Venice Beach is one of the weirdest places in Los Angeles. I felt like I was in another planet. Ocean Front Walk is full of weird, strange and totally unique people who are begging for tourists' (and probably a showbiz producer's) attention, each one wanting to be a star. It's nice to see during the day, but at night, it's another story as the beach becomes a hangout for addicts, dealers and troublemakers.

Here's the beginning of Ocean Front Walk.

This is where the TV show 'Baywatch' was shot. And where Pamela Anderson's double-D (or is it E or F now) floaters started their career.

The walk is so crowded during the weekends.

And the performances are on.

First act is Mr. DJ. He played some techno-house thing and he's selling a CD!

Then there are the punk rockers who are just hanging around trying to look fierce. Trying.

Presenting hula hoopy couple who are doing an I-don't-know-what. Beside them is homeless guy, looking like he really lives in the suburbs, who's begging for money to buy beer.

Here's a black vs white basketball game, where players act like they are about to start a fight but never do.

And let's not forget the meat viewing at muscle beach where guys and umm...guys display their wares for everyone to see.

The stuff for sale are crazy. They were selling medical marijuana in a clinic but I wasn't able to take a pic. But check out the glasses for sale.

Stun guns anyone? It's 100% legal!

I should have gotten myself a stun gun.

Crazy Jakarta

I was in Jakarta tagging along on my husband's business trip thinking of having a relaxing week of sleeping in, going to the spa and going for an E True Hollywood Stories marathon. Little did I know that I would witness an earthquake shaking up the already chaotic city on the 2nd of September. It registered at 7.0 on the richter scale with an epicenter 242 km away from Jakarta which makes it quite strong. 

The quake struck at exactly 3pm, Indonesia time. I know this because my facial appointment was at 3 and I just got into the treatment room when the world started shaking. Small fountains in the spa were spilling out water, people were screaming and running for the emergency exit. It is quite hard to go down the stairs when everything else is shaking and people are pushing you. But, thankfully, I survived. And cancelled my facial. I figured that fate did not want me to have a facial on this trip. My husband is OK, otherwise I'd be freaking out and won't be writing this blog.

Now for the damage. I don't think there are any damages reported yet but our hotel suffered a long crack in the lobby wall.  

I hope it's not a sign that there's some big damage going on underneath.  I like our hotel because the people are so nice so hopefully it will be repaired soon and there won't be any more damage afterwards (well at least not before we get out of here). The name of the hotel is Manhattan Hotel.  I think it's a great hotel situated in the middle of Jakarta but low key enough not to be targeted by suicide bombers (well, you have to think about that when you go to Jakarta, right).  Service is excellent. 

Anyway, after the earthquake, everyone in Jakarta decided to go home, thus the traffic

I'm just thankful that my husband and I are alright.  Now I can't wait to get out of here.

what kind of bastos do you prefer?

Before I post my entries on Hanoi, I want to share with you a funny item (to Filipinos, that is) that I saw being sold on the streets. 

Bastos is a Filipino word used to describe something crass, vulgar or rude. Somebody said a bad sex joke at work, he's 'bastos'. You see a person walking around deliberately naked on the street, that's 'bastos'. But it's not a word taken seriously and is mostly said with a giggle as in: "Ang bastos naman, hihihi!", as a reaction after hearing a hilariously funny sex joke. 

So imagine my surprise to see cigarettes in Hanoi using this word as its name.  Add to that the 'International' and 'De Luxe' labels that go with it. It's a great souvenir for Filipino smokers because it would be a source of so many jokes ("Masarap ba ang bastos?") and endless conversations.  

Would you choose Bastos De Luxe?  Or Bastos International?