The Travel Issue

Greetings from

UCLA UCLA

SUMMER SUMMER 2010 VOL 404 VOL ..40 ISSUE ISSUE 4

LA GENTE | SUMMER 2010 |

CONTENTS...

From my Euro-trip: Paris and London's must-sees

By Heileen Salazar....................................4 Trajectory of a Tourist

By T.J. Nguyen.........................................6 Exploring Latin America: El Salvador

By Gilbert Portillo......................................8 Traveling Tastebuds

By Maria Renteria.....................................9 More than a Night on the Town: Your FREE Guide to Los Angeles

By Maribel Camargo................................10 ABOUT THE COVER The cover, designed by Violeta Lerma Chávez, was inspired by 1930’s “greetings from...” travel postcards.

We like that relaxed, bubbly vibe that those postcards evoke. We felt that the style mathched with our vision for this lighthearted travel issue.

We hope you enjoyed it! To contact the designer email her at vlerma@media.ucla.edu.

PAGE 2 | SUMMER 2010 | LA GENTE

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la Gente VOL. 40 ISSUE 4 ACTING EDITOR IN CHIEF Samantha Lim EDITOR IN CHIEF Violeta Lerma Chávez COPY EDITORS Paulina Aguilar Samantha Lim EDITORS Paulina Aguilar Samantha Lim STAFF WRITERS Maribel Camargo T.J. Nguyen Gilbert Portillo Heileen Salazaar Maria Renteria

From the Editor

As a child, I remember thinking that summer meant freedom; I could finally stay up late, enjoying an evening ice cream on the porch became a staple, and my mother’s reminders about remembering a jacket came fewer and farther between. For students, summer is more than just a season, it’s the period of time in between the regular academic year in which we get to switch gears and take a break from rigorous scholarly responsibilites and spend a few months living a different lifestyle.

This summer, I’m inviting you to try things you’ve yet to experience and travel. Whether you’ve still got a few years left before you graduate or you’ve already walked, there’s no better time than now. With fewer permanent ties and a rough job market, why not enjoy a blissful retreat? We’ve got personal accounts from our very own La Gente staff for hotspots around the world from Europe to Latin America. If hopping on a plane doesn’t seem appetizing, we’ve got an assortment of tantelizing restaurants that will take your tastebuds somewhere else, and with a guide to FREE activities in Los Angeles, there’s no excuse not to try something new at least once this summer. I hope you enjoy our recommendations and let summer whisk you away in a fresh exhiliration.

With love, slim@media.ucla.edu

Check us out on the web!!

DESIGN Violeta Lerma Chávez Samantha Lim PHOTGRAPHY Paulina Aguilar Gilbert Portillo ILLUSTRATOR T.J. Nguyen STUDENT MEDIA DIRECTOR Arvli Ward STUDENT MEDIA ADVISOR Amy Emmert La Gente is a member of the Campus Progress Publications Network. www.campusprogress.org We are located at: 118 Kerckhoff Hall 308 Westwood Plaza Los Angeles, CA 90024 Email: lagente@media.ucla.edu Phone: 310.825.9836

We still want to expose the unheard and the unseen, but this also involves YOU. We invite your opinions and blog entries. @LaGenteNewsmag La Gente Newsmagazine Unsigned editorials represent the majority opinion of the La Gente editorial board. All others columns, cartoons, and letter represent the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editorial board.

The UCLA communications board has a media grievance procedure for resolving grievances against any of its media. For a copy of the complete procedure contact student media at 310.825.2787.

Copyright 2010 ASUCLA Communications Board.

Our Mission La Gente is one of the oldest Latin@ newsmagazines, holding stong over 39 years of civic journalis. La Gente seeks out and reports the truth about current or long-standing issues that affect out underrepresented community.

La Gente serves as a space to shed light on the many injustices we face as a community, as wekk as give information on how to get involved in the pursuit of social equality.

We also provides a space for incarcerated indivicuals because we believe that they have valuable experiences that deserve recognition.

La Gente arose out of the need to give power to the often-silenced Latin@ community, a purpose we aim to continue, ¡Que Viva Nuestra Gente!

Join Us! Want to make a difference?

Want to be part of something special?

Are you willing to put in time to procude something spectacular?

Shoot us an email: lagente@media.ucla.edu

LA GENTE | SUMMER 2010 | PAGE 3

From my Euro-trip: Paris and London's must-sees Heileen Salazar /// Staff Writer

T

raveling to another country is a sure way to appreciate another culture. What I loved about London is that everything is within close vicinity. Paris was everything that I imagined and more. It’s a great city for aimless wandering, street browsing, shopping, and café-sitting. There is much to see and do in both cities, which can be overwhelming for first time travelers. Keep in mind that tennis shoes are a traveler’s best friend. Here’s a list of go-to places in Europe:

Paris...

The Louvre Museum: This museum is more than the home of the Mona Lisa; it is the Mecca of all great artwork. It’s a crime not to visit. The museum is divided into wings and floors full of paintings, drawings, sculpture, and architectural finds. Plan to go early to avoid the long lines and be prepared to spend the whole day there to do it justice.

The Palace of Versailles: Louis XIV’s breathtaking palace is the epitome of luxury. The palace is an overload of marble sculptures, gilded carvings, crystal chandeliers, and elaborate tapestries. The outside is equally as opulent, and exploring the maze-like gardens can easily take up half the day.

Paulina

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Paulina Ag uilar///

La Gente Staff

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The Eiffel Tower: Paris and the Eiffel Tower, it’s the quintessential thing to do. But, I do recommend going at night, not only to avoid the crowd of the day but also to watch the beautiful lightshow. If you want to have a cheaper and equally beautiful view of the city I recommend the top of the Arc de Triomphe.

Upper Left: Eiffel Tower Lower Left: Palace of Versailles (exterior) Upper and Lower Right: Gardens of Versailles Gente Staff Paulina Aguilar/// La

PAGE 4 | SUMMER 2010 | LA GENTE

London...

Buckingham Palace: Although the chances of seeing the Queen just lounging around are zero, the fact that she resides in the palace makes you feel like a privileged visitor. I recommend seeing the Changing of the Guard because, aside from their great uniforms, their display of concentration is amazing.

Cathedral of St. Paul: St. Paul is a large three-level cathedral with an amazing dome. The music inside sets the tone for a majestic experience. Although climbing the never-ending stairs to the rooftop is a workout, it’s definitely worth it to see one of the best – if not the best – bird’s-eye view of London.

te Staff

The British Museum/The National Gallery: Both are free! If that is not reason enough, know that in the historical British Museum you will find everything from the Rosetta stone to sculptures from the Parthenon. If you are an art connoisseur or admirer of beauty you cannot miss some of the most famous paintings of Titian, Velasquez, and Boticelli at The National Gallery.

Paulina Aguilar/ //

La Gen

The Globe Theater: If you love drama and literature, this is the place to go.

See re-enactments of Shakespeare’s famous plays. The stadium-esque theater with its wooden benches and thatched roof truly make you feel like you are in a different era. To get an authentic audience experience, get a groundling ticket, the best spot in the house if you are prepared to stand up.

The best mode of transportation in London is The Tube, the metro system. It will take you wherever you need to go in the city. Ask for the Oyster card for further savings if you plan to use it more than once in a day. If you don’t want your wallet to be drained, avoid taxis at all costs.

Paulina Aguilar ///

La Gente Staff

Exchanging money before the trip is not necessary since ATM machines are virtually everywhere, trust me. If you withdraw money from branches of Barclays (in the UK) or BNP Paribas (in France) you can avoid credit card usage fees. If you are a Bank of America cardholder, you are in luck because you don’t get charged overseas fees! For all who carry cards from other companies, get informed about possible bank fees and complications. Avoid traveler’s checks and money exchange booths located in airports, as they are the most expensive options.

Upper: Cathedral of St. Paul Lower: Buckingham Palace

Internet cafes are the best and cheapest way to get internet access since hotel fees are way overpriced. Some restaurants offer free Wi-Fi but, be aware that you must buy a meal to get it. If you need to make a quick phone call, international or local, phones are also available.

An Insider’s Travel Tips LA GENTE | SUMMER 2010 | PAGE 5

Trajectory of a Tourist I structured this article as a story of my one-week trip to Nicaragua, in journal entry form. Through a series of human encounters, it recounts how I transformed from a stereotypical tourist to someone who learned to appreciate a foreign culture through its people.

T.J. Nguyen /// Staff Writer

11:30 a.m. 20 de marzo, 2010. Managua, Holiday Inn Hotel.

“Ochenta córdobas.” Para una Toña? Clad in a short black dress and heels thrice as high as anything I’ve ever worn, the casino waitress gave me a nod. Sí, why not? I was a pre-21-year-old American in Nicaragua, incensed by the fact that my own government was depriving me of alcohol, but could possibly send me to my death fighting in another one of its imperialist encroachments into impoverished Latin American countries. Claro, another Toña sounded about right.

“Gracias.” I received the ice cold bottle of beer, simultaneously proud and disappointed at how effortlessly I could get my hands on alcohol.

The casino waitress responded with a look of sadness in her eyes. “De nada.” Instead of being home with her children, she was stuck here serving obnoxious Americans who ordered drinks in the middle of the day, Americans who stayed in exclusive enclaves of marble pillars and already-made beds, while she stayed in dark, damp casinos, Americans whose pretentious travelling tendencies she – unfortunately – depended on to make a living.

And that’s when I did something I slightly regret. I played the haughty anthropologist. Thinking myself a considerate human being, I attempted to “observe” the cultural mannerisms of this woman’s society as if she were a specimen to be studied, not realizing my pompous nerve to show off my Spanish-speaking skills. Pen and paper in hand, I asked her if she liked her job. I asked her if she had any family, if she wanted to travel outside of Nicaragua. I asked her if she was happy, and finally, I asked her if she liked Americans. She laughed politely and answered most of my questions. “Sí, me gusta mi trabajo.

Tengo dos hijos. No quiero viajar, y sí, estoy feliz.”

“ I played the haughty anthropologist.”

5:00 p.m. 23 de marzo, 2010. El Mercado de Granada.

Today, we went to the souvenir market outside the Alahambra, our hotel in Granada. Granada, also known as la Gran Sultana del Gran Lago – as it borders Lake Nicaragua – possesses much historical beauty and cultural aesthetic. Rocky roads of pebble stone, uprooted by sparse and scattered vegetation; quaint abodes of soft salmon pink and warm mustard yellow, situated in close proximity to the local marketplace; and grand exquisite cathedrals towering over the city, asserting their long-established Roman Catholic influence. No casinos, no air-conditioned malls, no large-scale discotheques.

At the market, Enrique, a skinny boy in a blue shirt and broken sandals came up to me and asked me for money.

“Señora, tiene córdobas? Tengo hambre y no he comido nada desde la mañana.”

Naturally, my first instinct was to reach into my pocket and spare just enough money to be selfless but still have enough to buy gifts for friends and family (a paradigm of the cultured and kindhearted tourist?). Now Enrique was smart. He latched onto my friend, Neda, burrowing his head into her shoulder, obviously having practiced this tactic on many a naïve visitor before. It was understandable. Education is a long-term investment, while begging provides an immediate source of money.

We denied Enrique, big round eyes and all. Considering he followed us around for an hour before returning to his parents’ water-vending booth, it wasn’t easy. It certainly wasn’t gratifying at the moment, as every other tourist he targeted seemed to have no internal moral dilemma of slipping him a 20 cordoba bill.

But it was the best thing to do, for Enrique, and for la juventud de Nicaragua.

PAGE 6 | SUMMER 2010 | LA GENTE

“He latched onto my friend, Neda, burrowing his head into her shoulder, obviously having practiced this tactic on many a naïve visitors before.”

3:00 p.m. 28 de marzo, 2010. Al orfanato en Granada.

She reminded me a bit of my mother.

Helen Ruiz was a 5-foot-3, middle-aged, goofy-smiled woman. I met her at the orphanage. She had the likes of a chubby squirrel, bushy-tailed, a bit disheveled, chattering away at any chance she found. She was also a skilled seamstress, sewing designs onto pillowcases and selling them for only 60 córdobas a pair.

“Sabes coser, mija?”

“Sí. Siempre me ha gustado coser.”

“Bueno. Puedes completar esto, si quieres.” She handed me a light yellow pillowcase with a half-finished floral pattern, every stitch handled with the utmost care. In an attempt to display my nimble sewing skills, I approached the pillow with confidence, swiftly piercing it with the delicate needle. Needless to say, with thin pieces of thread sticking out, the stitch did not hold half the amount of care she had put into hers.

“No, mija, esto es la manera correcta de hacerlo.” With that goofy smile, Helen carefully taught me how to stitch up the last scarlet rose petal. Mano en mano, I felt a fleeting sense of spirituality tingling in her fingertips as she guided mine. I asked no more questions, I no longer felt the need to regurgitate the Spanish words I happened to remember from class. I saw Helen as a maternal figure.

“Gracias.”

“De nada, mija.”

2:00 p.m. 29 de marzo, 2010. Saliendo Granada por autobús.

VIVA LA JUVENTUD! VIVA EL FSLN. LA REVOLUCION. I saw the words scrawled in big black letters across a somber pine green fence straddling one of the main streets of Granada.

I am not a revolutionary of any kind, or a starry-eyed nationalist, nor am I the least bit Central American. I am American, the same kind of American that forcefully imposed a despotic military general onto Nicaragua’s throne years ago and set up counterrevolutionary forces against the Sandinistas, the same American that had a week ago, been the sophomoric progenitor of “culture,” asking hollow questions and observing, but not absorbing.

I am still that American. I want to travel up, down, and across Central and South America, exploring and soaking in the ambiance of foreign societies. But I no longer wish to play the role of the pretentious anthropologist.

After a week in Nicaragua, I’ve realized the best way to understand human culture is not through quizzical inquiries and observations, but rather through encounters: Encounters with the casino workers.

Encounters with the Enriques.

And most certainly, encounters with the Helen Ruizes.

Y eso es la trayectoria de una turista.

LA GENTE | SUMMER 2010 | PAGE 7

Exploring Latin America Visit El Salvador

Gilbert Portillo /// Staff Writer

El

Salvador is the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America and relies heavily on tourism for revenue. Although it remains largely underdeveloped and suffered through much political turmoil, El Salvador offers many sites of tourist interest, ranging from archeological and environmental sites to war museums, beaches and modern bars and hotels. The following is a list of five sites that showcase some of the best El Salvador has to offer.

Lago Coatepeque: A large blue lake inside a volcanic crater, Lago Coatepeque is located in Santa Ana about an hour away from the capital, San Salvador. Green slopes of the extinct volcano surround the lake which features pristine blue waters and an island named Teopán. This is a popular weekend getaway from San Salvador, and there are restaurants and hotels in the area. It is a great place to go swimming, boating, waterskiing, and scuba lessons are offered seasonally.

Montecristo National Park: This forest is located in San Miguel, near the border between El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala, about a four-hour drive from San Salvador. At an altitude of about 7000 feet, this forest has a dense canopy and frequent rains. Due to its relative isolation, the park features great eco-diversity, including species rarely seen in El Salvador. 10 species of birds are exclusive to Montecristo, and the majority of species in the park are endangered. In order to preserve the habitat and to allow breeding, a portion of the park is closed for a few months through spring and summer. There are several hiking trails and wooden observation towers that overlook the park. The highlight is a seven-kilometer climb through dense forest to a summit that marks the borders between two adjacent countries.

Ruinas de San Andres: A site of important pre-Hispanic history, Las Ruinas de San Andres are located in the state of La Libertad.

San Andres holds four large Mayan structures dating back to the late Classic period.

The main structure (pictured) is called Cerro Campana, which was the center of commercial activity when the area was inhabited. Within the archaeological ruins, there is a museum that showcases Mayan artifacts as well as items from the colonial period. Major studies and excavations did not begin until 1940, and as a result many parts of this site have yet to be completely excavated.

Puerto de la Libertad: Located in the state of La Libertad, El Puerto is it is home to El Salvador’s most popular beaches, including El Zunzal and El Tunco. Puerto de la Libertad is a frequent tourist site for surfers, and it hosts many international surfing competitions and tours. The boardwalk hosts restaurants famed for their fresh, local seafood. The historic pier in El Puerto de la Libertad dates back to 1870. The surrounding area features an ecological park and treetop canopy zip line tours.

Museo de la Revolución: Located in Perquín, in the western state of Morazán, this museum commemorates the guerilla struggle during El Salvador’s civil war, which took place from 1980 to 1992. Of the military museums in El Salvador, this is the only one that portrays the guerilla perspective, showing their stories and why they joined the struggle. The museum is aptly located in an area dominated by guerrillas during the conflict. It exhibits photographs of important figures, weapons, a system of tunnels used by the guerrillas, and the equipment of the clandestine guerilla radio, Radio Venceremos.

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Traveling Tastebuds Maria Esmeralda Renteria /// Web Editor Want to celebrate summer Latin American-style, but don’t have the money to go to Argentina, Cuba, El Salvador, Mexico or any country south of the US border?

La Gente has your guide to local restaurants that embody Latin American flavors.

Check out Lagente.org for more restaurant reviews. Until then, go out there, satisfy your tastes buds and enjoy!

Con amor la bosquisabrosa, $: Super Chido, it’s pocket friendly $$: Comida Cómodo $$$: ¡Mira que Fancy!

UCLA is close to the biggest population of Oaxacaqueños outside of Mexico. Restaurant Monte Alban is just the place for traditional Oaxacan food. It is nicknamed the “House of Moles” with a specialty of Mole Negro, as well as a variety of other moles. Enjoy coffee with a hint of cinnamon before your main course and have a Cilacayota, a seasonal squash drink originally from Oaxaca to accompany your meal. *Vegetarian-Friendly*

EL SALVADOR

La Casita de Don Carlos, is the place to go to enjoy authentic Salvadorian food.

They are known for their pupusas and Salvadorian memorabilia. The restaurant décor brings you to Central America and flat screens inside are always showing novelas or soccer games.

The food is very affordable and can be enjoyed with a beer of your choice.

Price: $ (213) 387-7748 2046 West Pico Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90006

Price: $/$$ (310) 289-0392 1415 S La Cienega Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90035 versaillescuban.com

Empanada’s Place is known for their Argentine empanadas. This small eatery has an Italian flair, reflecting the influence of Argentina’s largest immigrant population. It is a cute café to eat lunch with a couple of your friends. They offer a variety of meat or vegetarian empanadas at about $2.99 each, but they are well worth it. I recommend trying the Arabé, a lemony beef combination, or the Corn, made with sweet corn and melted cheese; each will leave you wanting more.

ARGENTINA

Price: $$ (310) 444-7736 11927 Santa Monica Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90025 restaurantemontealban.com

The likelihood of going to Cuba for leisure? Near impossible. On a tight budget?

Then Miami is out the question. The closest answer I have is Versailles. This restaurant gets crowded near dinnertime, with a wait of 10-15 minutes. I recommend Ropa Vieja, a shredded beef dish, with a side order of Moros y Cristianos (rice and beans) and the alcoholic beverage Sangria, freshly made everyday.

CUBA

MEXICO

Maria

Price: $ (310) 391-0888 3811 Sawtelle Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90066

LA GENTE | SUMMER 2010 | PAGE 9

More than a Night on the Town: Your FREE Guide to Los Angeles Maribel Camargo /// La Gente Staff Sometimes it’s not feasiwble to plan an exotic excursion out of the country, let alone, out of town. Have no fear, we have a guide for the non-travelers too. The best part? These activities are FREE!

Arts and Museums Los Angeles offers a broad range of events to make you feel inspired and get creative with your summer nights and days out. This city offers free walking tours of bustling downtown Los Angeles to the rich historical panorama of the Great Wall of Los Angeles.

The Getty Center in LA has an impressive collection of Western art, while the Getty Villa in Malibu showcases the art and culture of the Ancient Greeks and Romans. The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Downtown Los Angeles is the only museum in the city dedicated to contemporary art. Both the Fowler and the Hammer are located in Westwood, but their collections differ greatly.

The Fowler explores global arts and cultures while the Hammer displays different forms of artistic expression through the centuries. There is no reason not to check these places out! Follow the links for more information.

SOURCE: La Gente Stock

The Ghetty Center

Downtown Art Walk The tour takes place on the 2nd Thursday of every month and it’s a great way to explore a different side of Los Angeles. www.downtownartwalk.org The Great Wall of Los Angeles This has been a part of L.A.’s landscape since 1974.

Under the direction of muralist Judy Baca, it continues to be a work in progress. Driving directions are available on the website, make sure you don’t miss out! www.sparcmurals.org Getty Center LA Admission to the Getty Center and to all exhibitions is FREE—no tickets or reservations are required for general admission. The museum is closed on Monday and Parking is $15.

Getty Villa in Malibu The Getty Villa in Malibu showcases the culture and art of ancient Greece and Rome. Tickets are free, but they require booking in advance. The museum is closed on Tuesdays and Parking is $15. www.getty.edu Fowler Museum Admission is FREE www.fowler.ucla.edu Hammer Museum Free on Thursdays for all visitors hammer.ucla.edu MOCA Admission to MOCA Grand Avenue is free every Thursday, 5–8pm. www.moca.org

Attractions There are many different attractions in the LA area that will satisfy your curiosity! At the La Brea Tar Pits visitors can learn about Los Angeles during the last Ice Age, when animals such as saber-toothed cats and mammoths roamed the Los Angeles Basin. The Griffith observatory is an icon of the Los Angeles area and offers a beautiful space for public star-gazing and telescope viewing.

Do you want to see other kinds of stars? The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a great way to get close (sorta) to legendary movie stars, both dead and alive. The California Science Center, offers a wonderful hands-on learning experience. Follow the links for more information.

Hollywood Walk of Fame

SOURCE: Ghetty Images

La Brea Tar pits Admission is free on the first Tuesday of each month. www.tarpits.org Griffith Observatory Admission and Parking are free, but be aware that parking is very limited, especially on weekends. www.griffithobservatory.org Hollywood Walk of Fame FREE--minus the dollar that the Marylin look-alike suckered out of you. www.hollywoodchamber.net California Science Center Admission permanent exhibition galleries is FREE. Parking is $8. www.californiasciencecenter.org

Culture Los Angeles is a city full of diversity and with many different ethnic enclaves it makes it the perfect city to learn about the different cultures! Chinatown, Historic Filipinotown, Koreatown, Little Armenia, Little Ethiopia, Little Tokyo, Thai Town, and Olvera Street provide examples of the diverse character of Los Angeles. Each of these areas offers many delicious cultural eats, interesting shops and historical and artistic spaces.

Little Tokyo www.visitlittletokyo.com/ Chinatown www.chinatownla.com Olvera Street www.olvera-street.com Little Ethiopia http://discoverlosangeles.com/littleethiopia Koreatown www.experiencela.com/Adventures/koreatown.htm Little Armenia www.littlearmenia.com Thai Town www.experiencela.com/Adventures/ThaiTown.htm

PAGE 10 | SUMMER 2010 | LA GENTE

Chinatown Los Angeles

SOURCE: La Gente Stock

Concerts If you like music, being outdoors, meeting people, dancing, the summer and free things, summer concerts are for you! There are various concerts going on all summer long like the Farmers Market Summer Music Series one of LA’s most popular and exciting free music series. Don’t know what to do on a beautiful, summer night in Southern California? Don’t have a lot of cash to spend?

Love the beach and music? Check out the Twilight Dance Series at the Santa Monica Pier! If you love listening to Brazilian Samba, Rock en Español, Hip Hop and Afro-Cuban sounds, then Grand Performances Summer Festival is definitely for you! Venturing out to Pasadena might not be a bad idea. Take advantage of the Levitt Pavillion Free Music Under the Stars summer series of 50 free music concerts at the historic Memorial Park band shell in the heart of Old Pasadena. Long Beach also offers a three month festival called Summer and Music, which includes the Long Beach Funk Fest, Gospel Fest, and musicians performing at various outdoor venues. Follow the links for more information!

Summer concert at Levitt Pavillion

SOURCE: Levitt Pavillion.com

Farmers Market Summer Music Series www.farmersmarketla.com Twilight Dance and Music at the Santa Monica Pier www.santamonicapier.org Grand Performances Summer Festival grandperformances.org Levitt Pavillion Free Music Under the Stars www.levittpavilionpasadena.org Summer and Music 2010 www.summerandmusic.com

Fun in the Sun Beaches LA has one of the world’s best weather so why not enjoy the summer out in the sun with various FREE activities at our fingertips, or should I say toes too?! First there is the amazing array of beaches! Do you love observing people? Then Venice Beach is for you! This is one place where the eclectic Venice Ocean Front Walk can upstages the actual beach. Want to feel like you’re a star at the beach? Manhattan Beach is where you need to be, as scenes from many television shows have been filmed there. Love surfing?

When it’s time to get out the surfboard and zip on the wetsuit, there’s no better place to be than Malibu Beach. Love long stretches of sand or even going on a Ferris wheel on the pier, then head over to Santa Monica State Beach. Are you looking for a more romantic experience? El Matador Beach is located about 10 miles northwest of Malibu; this secluded pocket beach is the perfect place to enjoy a sunset dinner in one of the hidden coves.

Are you looking for a beach that offers something during the long summer nights? Dockweiller Beach offers fire pits for beach barbecues and bonfires. gocalifornia.about.com

Malibu Beach Shore

SOURCE: La Gente Stock

Hiking For the nature lovers, Los Angles offers a selection of places to satisfy your hiking needs with multiple trails. There are various trails that fit both your likes and endurance, so please check them out and select the one that best suits you. discoverlosangeles.com Gardens Stop and smell the roses! If you do not feel like being out in the direct sunlight you can always find some shade in these beautiful gardens.

The Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Gardens is located on our wonderful campus. It’s a little oasis in the middle of south campus. The Franklin D. Murphy Sculpture Garden is one of the perks of being a UCLA student because there are some really marvelous pieces displayed on this tree-filled green landscape. But tourists and art lovers alike should come and spend some time in this garden. The Hannah Carter Japanese Garden was inspired by the gardens in Kyoto and is located in the Bel Air neighborhood nearby UCLA. If you travel a little further east, you’ll find the Huntington Botanical Gardens is one of the LA area’s best; this is a must-see for tourists and residents alike.

Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Gardens at UCLA

SOURCE: La Gente Stock

Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Gardens www.botgard.ucla.edu/html Franklin D. Murphy Sculpture Garden www.travelinlocal.com Hannah Carter Japanese Garden www.japanesegarden.ucla.edu The Huntington Botanical Gardens www.huntington.org

Did we miss something? Share your favorite summer activities with us! Don’t care about summer activitites? Then sends us your opinions, your drawings, short stories, poetry, photography--anything you think should be in our magazine. It could end up printed on these beautiful pages. As always shoot us an email at lagente.media.ucla.edu.

LA GENTE | SUMMER 2010 | PAGE 11

Road Trip for the Couch Potato Don’t feel like leaving your perfectly air-conditioned home, let alone your couch? Check out these classic road-trip movies to keep you entertained.

The Motorcycle Diaries (2004)

What makes this film so awesome? Beautiful scenery, a poetic ambience, subtle humor, or is it its hunk of a lead, Gael García Bernal?! This movie takes you alongside one of the most important revolutionaries of all time.

Dumb and Dumber (1994)

An epic saga about two souls on a western exodus, looking for fame, fortune and love on the way...Hey, don’t judge, you know you love this movie as much as we do.

Into The Wild (2007)

A movie you watch with your soul wide open.

Every hippie and hippie at heart should take this film as their road trip manifesto.

| SUMMER 2010 | LA GENTE

Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure (1985)

If Pee-Wee’s amazing quest to regain his lost love--the greatest bike ever--is not enough reason to watch this film, just watch it for his killer dance skills!

Tequila!

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)

If you’re looking for more than one trip, then this is the movie for you!

Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

Hey, we gotta show love to the Bruins who scribed this quirky indie flick.