Olvera Street "Dia de los muertos"

Olvera Street is located in downtown L.A.  Right across the very big street, Alameda, from Union Station.  Olvera Street is the oldest street in Los Angeles.  As a child my family would go the Olvera Street for special occasions.  We would look around then go over to Chinatown for Chinese food.  Hard to believe in my childhood the only place to get Chinese food was in Chinatown.  I guess I'm playing my age card on that one!

It has become a family tradition to go several times a year but especially go on Dia de los muertos, Day of the Dead or All Souls Day, November 1st (funny enough, my long gone mother's birthday).  My son is the one who began that tradition as he had a Spanish teacher who raved about it and thus another tradition is born.

In the Plaza people build alters and offer food and place photos and reminders in honor of those who have died.  It's been a wonderful opportunity for our family to discuss death and to honor our members of our family who have passed on.  It becomes a celebration of life not a downer.  We have a yummy meal (our favorite is La Luz Del Dia-the homemade tortillas are amazing) , buy some confetti eggs and then wait for the best moment to attack.

BTW to make a really great day of it, take the subway to the end-which is Union Station.  Walk through that wonderful station and then right across the street you have arrived...Olvera Street.  There's also an old fire house opposite the Plaza to add to the list.

http://www.olvera-street.com/

The First Step

I am a social creature.  I am blessed with many friends with and without children.  I naturally share whenever I find a wonderful product, a cool place to camp or fun adventure in the city.  I have friends and friends of friends contact me asking for my suggestions or opinions of things to do. You might say I am a collector.  A collector of life's experiences.  It is a natural progression that I begin by sharing it and cataloguing my collections.  No need to hoard the wonderfulness of this city and the not so wonderfulness.

Los Angeles is physically a very big city yet at times smaller than you would think.  Being a native I have, at times, had a love hate relationship with this place. Before our son was born (over 10 years ago) my partner and I were contemplating leaving Los Angeles.  We gave ourself a year to re-discover all the things we loved and hated before we made our decision.  In that year I fell back in love with Los Angeles.  The Sunday Farmer's Market in Hollywood, Boogie Boarding at the beach, snow less than 2 hours away and lastly the culture; the diverse community-I would miss it.  Now my little Angelino son Boogie Boards, takes the bus with me to Olvera Street and loves his adventures.  It's time to share.