Christmas at the Mission Inn

The Mission Inn, built about 150 years ago, takes over an entire block. One or two of the streets that surround it are closed to traffic during this time of the year to make way for pedestrians. Street parking may be scarce, but there are public lots that charge $15-$20. We got there around thirty past three, drove around, and found one spot left on Fifth Street.

This place started as a cottage, and expanded throughout the years by Frank Augustus Miller, and Henry E. Huntington. More history here.

I've been meaning to visit the Mission Inn ever since I found out about their Christmas decorations a few years back. I just never got around to it, until this year when my friend and I were trying to do something festive. The above is a photo of the side entrance. There are security guards at all the entrances asking if you're staying at the Inn or are dining there. They don't check, but they just want to deter too many people from entering the building.

We went around to use the front entrance. The decorations reminded me of going into someone's house where every inch of space is Christmas. During other months, the Mission has a traditional look from back in the day, and is less crowded.

There is a lot of time spent on details in every nook inside and outside. If you decide to go, pay careful attention so you don't miss it.

 

The above video reminds me of Disneyland with angels and gnomes rotating their heads. There were quite a bit of statues that moved their heads, both inside and outside of the building.

Two more shots before we head out to dinner. I have no idea how many hours they put in to decorate this Inn. It's well worth your time to visit it at least once, specially if you live in the L.A area, or if you have someone from out of town visiting. And although crowded during Christmas time, there is space where you can escape. The lights, ornaments, statues, and all the extra details help to shift away focus from how busy it can get. Plan to spend a few hours here, less if you're not a people person.

Apparently, they have different types of rooms. These are on the forth floor, and I think they're called the Mission Rooms. Some of the rooms on other floors have French windows.

We had dinner here. Pleasant atmosphere, and staff. Great service. Food and Margarita were meh.

They have a Ferris wheel, a carousel, and other games for families with kids.

The Riverside vibe is different than the L.A vibe. People have a kickback small town attitude. They are more courteous, friendlier, and kinder than the L.A residents. 

Happy Holidays from Los Angeles to Japan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is magic around us 365 days of the year, if we pay attention.

 

My friends and family don’t exchange gifts anymore, but we do buy gifts for the kids.

 

It’s always fun to bake a few cookies. 

This is a photo of my friend standing by a Christmas tree at The Dolby theater in Hollywood.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I took this picture a few days into November in Japan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas decorations go up early over there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This man in Osaka was so nice to let me take a picture of his shop that hadn’t opened up to public yet. He was just starting to set up his merchandise for sale.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another picture I took while in Osaka. It was near the Umeda Sky Building. 

 

Merry Christmas Everyone

In the area where I live, it never snows unless you're willing to drive about an hour or so to outside the Los Angeles city limits towards the nearby mountains. And believe me, if anything looks remotely close to snow, Angelenos will be out with their cameras trying to capture the moment like a tourist who has just seen the Eiffel tower for the first time. The first year I moved here, it actually hailed. Me and my classmates were so excited as we ran outside, only to be hit by a whole bunch of ice balls. It was fun.

This year, My cousin and I decided to head out to the Grove/Farmers market for an early dinner while watching the fake snow, Christmas decorations, the trolley and Santa's house. There are two sections: The Farmers Market which has been around for years and the Grove which was added not long ago. Farmers Market is more flavorful and traditional with boutique shops and no frills eateries and the Grove is more modern with chain restaurants and stores, movie theaters and a large round water fountain which dances to Italian music. It's easy to spend an entire day there, but the parking can be pricy even with validation.

While there, I got inspired by my cousin's enthusiasm to take some photos. So, do enjoy and a Merry Christmas to all of you.  

On top of the movie theater behind me, there is a machine that spits out snow.

Moved my phone camera up for a better view.

I have no idea who is the man with a hood. I guess he was too tall for me to avoid him.

Last photo opp before we start walking towards the ginger cookie house.

Heading back. Taking a hurried shot before someone passes in front of my camera.

The crowd shifting in my direction.

Ginger cookie house where parents and children line up for a photo opp with Santa. 

Side view of the Trolley. It takes passengers from the west end/farmers market to the east end/grove. 

Last photo: The rear view of the trolley as it rings its bell for fun and for the crowd to move out of its way. 

I wish I was a kid again

 

Actually, I’m perfectly content with where I am in my life – less insecurities, less concerned about what people think of me and simply happy to be a healthy person with great friends and family. Except that every now and then, a child or a young adult says or does something that makes me wish to be a kid again and experience life from their eyes.

Take my niece for example. At Christmas she put out her milk and cookies for Santa. The next day, my brother was drinking his tea in the living room when my niece rushed from her bedroom to the Christmas tree. Not only was she excited that Santa had enjoyed her milk and cookies but she found a present and a note which she showed to my brother – if you’ll be a good girl in 2008, next year you’ll get even a bigger present.

Thrilled, she asked my brother, “When Santa comes down from the chimney, won’t his clothes get dirty?

My brother said, “yes, but he washes them.”

“Where does he wash them?” she asked.

“Why in our washing machine. He then throws them in the dryer and waits for his clothes as he eats the cookies you left him.”

She smiled and began opening her present.

Then there’s the story of my teenage cousin who emailed me on his Blackberry from the airport on his way to New Orleans, and when I responded from my iPhone (I was one of the first iPhone owners), he wrote – “OMG, you got an iPhone. I’m so jealous. Do you love it or do you love it?” By the way, for those of you who are from a different generation, OMG means oh my god! Now, mind you, I bought an iPhone because my ancient phone fell and broke, and I decided it was time for me to keep up with technology, to keep my files organized, and to stop my emails from piling up on my desk top; that’s all. But in my cousin’s eyes, I was suddenly cool and had joined his generation as he put it. We texted back and forth, he being a teenager that he is, and me pretending to be the teenager that I’m not. Finally he had to board his plane with his parents and we said goodbye.

And so, yes I’m happy to be where I am but sometimes, I love seeing the world through the eyes of a younger person.