Los Angeles Voted the Rudest City- What's Up with That??

The other day a coworker asked me if I thought LA was a rude city.  As I stopped to think about it I had a flood of memories from recent weeks where people had been anything but rude.  From the amazing couple who opened up their guest house for Taco and I, to the parking attendant who gave me a free day of parking as he saw me searching for every last cent in my car to pay him for the daily parking fee because I forgot my wallet.  No, I think it is a very nice city I told her. 

As I headed home that evening I heard of the news story that triggered my coworkers question; Travel and Leisure Magazine had named Los Angeles as the Rudest city in America.  Really?  Traveling here as a tourist at least 6 times before moving here I cannot think of one "rude" moment.

I even had a good experience at the Department of Motor Vehicles!   When I arrived there was a line outside and around the building.  I was thinking about how nice it was to wait outside rather than in a stuffy room when the front doors opened and paramedics were bringing out a women who was freaking out as they were hand-cuffing her to the stretcher.  She kept trying to sit up and was saying "I just smoked a little weed".  I heard one of the paramedics say "she did something more than a little weed".  As soon as they had her in the ambulance the doors opened and the line started moving quickly.   

Within 15 minutes I was talking with a DMV employee explaining I needed to register my car in California.  She instructed me to take my car over to the side of the building for an inspection.
Five minutes later my inspection was complete and I was on my way.  As a bonus, the gentleman who inspected my car gave me his name and ensured that when I came back for my California Driver's License he would help me have a pleasant experience. 

There is 70 degree weather in January but if your not patient or punctuality is very important to you Los Angeles could be your worst nightmare. With over 4 million residence traffic, crowds, and lines are a part of life.  If your able to sit back, relax and enjoy the weather you will you will find it is a great place to live and visit.

A Little Bit of American History in Little Rock, Arkansas

Arriving in Little Rock, Arkansas I was ready to see some of this town's history.  A quick google search on my cell and I had the address of the Governor's Mansion, the former home of the Clinton's and the current home of Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee.  Arriving in the historic neighborhood bright and early I tried to blend in like one of the neighbors walking their dog but I couldn't hold back from pulling out my camera at the front gates of the mansion and having Taco pose in front of the statue of Bill Clinton.

With a few hours until I was able to check into my hotel I remembered the Little Rock Nine.  A group of African-American students who attempted to enroll at Little Rock Central High School during desegregation. 

On their first day of school, troops from the Arkansas National Guard would not let them enter the school and they were then followed by mobs making threats to lynch. The sight of a line of soldiers blocking nine black students from attending high school made national headlines and was pivotal in the fight for civil rights. 

It wasn't until President Eisenhower ordered the United States Army to Little Rock to escort the nine students into Little Rock Central  High School. Over the next year the students endured terrible verbal and physical abuse by other students and even adults.  Racial slurs and being spat on were daily occurrences and one of the Little Rock Nine had acid thrown in her eyes.

A Sunday morning, I could hear the singing from the Baptist Church across the street from the School.  As I approached the school building I couldn't believe I was walking up the stairs where the Little Rock Nine had been blocked from entering and where the United States Military had to intervene to allow these American citizens the right to attend a public high school. 

In the front courtyard there were 10 benches, one for each of the Little Rock Nine and one symbolizing the unity of the entire student body.  As I sat on one of these benches I meditated on how thankful I am to those brave children who risked there lives in the name of equal rights and for living in a time where a light has been shown on the ignorance of racism.

Is It True What They Say About Texas?

Leaving Little Rock I headed southwest to Dallas through Texarkana, the area where Arkansas, Texas, and Louisiana meet.  Arriving after sunset I was awed by the vibrant skyline and massive buildings.  Heading north to the suburb of Plano, I began to notice that it is true what they say, “everything is bigger in Texas”.  Along the highway I saw a sign that summed it up; it said “The Dallas Fort Worth airport in larger than the island of Manhattan”.  

The next day I headed down to Dallas to meet up with a friend from grade school.  Living in Uptown Dallas he was the perfect tour guide.  We went to the area where JFK was shot and killed.  Just as with the high school of the Little Rock Nine, it was surreal to be standing where such tragic and historical event happened.   

Driving through Turtle Creek, an upscale neighborhood, we headed over to Hacienda, a dog friendly tex-mex restaurant.  I loved it!  They brought Taco a bowl of water and he was able to sit with us at the table.  After a few happy hour drinks, some tortilla soup, and good conversation I was ready for a good night’s sleep in preparation for tomorrow’s adventure. 

New Years Eve on The Road

On the last day of 2010 I left Ohio for Los Angeles.  Along the way I met up with my pseudo brother and his kids in Indianapolis and then headed on my way.  A little over 4 hours on the road I ran into a storm that was responsible for multiple tornadoes in Arkansas and Missouri.  Deciding to play it safe I pulled over and found a hotel in Effingham, Illinois.  The "crossroads of the Midwest" it was the perfect resting place.

After relaxing in the hot tub and treating myself to a nice dinner I struggled to keep my eyes open at only 10 pm (central time).  Luckily I was able to amuse myself with the banter between Kathy Griffin and Anderson Cooper (whom I have a crush on), until the ball dropped in NYC.  Responding to a few text messages I was happy to close my eyes and get a full nights sleep.

Getting a restful nights sleep I had to make a choice, do I drive through tornado hit Missouri or Arkansas.  After posting my dilemma on Facebook and checking the weather my choice was made Arkansas it was.

As I headed south on I-57 S I saw this beautiful sky.  How perfect for the New Year.  Say goodbye to the storms and welcome to blue skies, 2011 is going to be a great year!