Public transportation

Saturday March 24th, 2012


One of the worst things I've discovered about LA is that traffic is a NIGHTMARE!! I'd definitely heard about it, but had no idea just how bad it was. It can literally take an hour to go about 3 miles. It's incredibly frustrating!


Keeping that in mind, I was super excited when I found out how close my apartment was to work. For the past 5 years the drive to Emory usually took about 45-50 minutes one way. I was relieved for once to be living so close to work. Little did I know that it would take me about 30 minutes to go 4.9 miles to the hospital! It's not all bad though because it only takes me 15-20 minutes to get home after work since I get off at midnight.


Because of this traffic nightmare I've decided I need to learn to use the metro. I've always been more of a country girl and honestly, public transportation sometimes intimidates me. I know that's silly...but it can be so confusing! My apartment building is literally in the parking lot of the train station so it just makes good sense ya know ;) Not to mention parking in LA is mostly street parking or lot parking. It's alway impossible to find a spot and the lots cost a fortune! Don't even get me started on the price of gas out here! So I took a baby step and went to explore Los Angeles Union Station.


It's one of the most beautiful buildings inside that I've ever seen. It first opened in May 1939.

Inside LA Union Station

This is an area that is roped off. It's usually where they have weddings

It has been host to many weddings and has also been the setting for numerous hollywood movies. The ones I recognize it from are Can't Hardly Wait, The Italian Job, Speed, and Pearl Harbor. It's also been featured in some old classics, but I've never really seen any of them. Apparently many television shows frequently film here, including Criminal Minds, 24 and NCIS: Los Angeles. Unfortunately I haven't seen any....yet!  Believe me...if I find out they're filming anything at Union Station I'll be there with my camera ready!


One of my favorite features of Union Station is the original leather chairs that fill the inside corridor. They are gorgeous!

\

Not a very good picture below but here's Ethan Embry sitting in one of these chairs during the movie! I love him and I wish I knew exactly which chair he sat in!! ;) 

The outside of Union Station is also nice....not as beautiful as the inside of course. At night there are purplish lights that make it look really neat. Here's a picture of both day and night from my apartment complex. 

In the coming weeks I will probably be attempting to ride the train during some of my sightseeing adventures. I'll definitely keep you updated on how it goes, but for now I'll keep my gas tank full!