Artem KOTOV

California Dreamin’

Artem Kotov

Here I am sitting at home craving for travel and trying hard to cure my wanderlust. I open Google Earth and spin it like a real globe and point somewhere I haven’t been before. Searching for this place is like reading Where’s Waldo? looking for something you are not even sure exists. Blurred images of streets, buildings, people. Where do I go next? Virtual traveling sounds easy but it’s not. Where am I googling (flying) to?

Thankfully, I don’t need to buy tickets and rent a hotel room. I catch a last-minute flight, hop on a virtual plane to LAX, and just in seconds, I’m there. I hop off and Lyft to Downtown LA. Where to next? Well, there are many options: Grand Park, Grand Central Market (I stop by for a second. Me want an ice-cream sandwich from McConnel’s Finest Ice Cream), Angels Flight (Who would say no to travel up and down the hillside in old-school train cars?), The Last Bookstore, Grammy Museum, MOCA. Oh, the places I’ll go!

It’s time for me to go explore other spots. Again, where to now? Hollywood! I take a bus (zoom out Google Earth) and head out (choose a destination first). I press the plus (zoom in) and I’m in Hollywood. First, I walk around Hollywood Blvd Walk of Fame, and then I have to see a famous Hollywood Sign (I’ve been there 16 years ago and it was under maintenance so I have to come back — I should have been there this May but coronavirus, you know, changed that). And my friend also lives nearby so I should probably stay over and call it a day.

Rise and shine (I tell myself). My day starts with a breakfast probably with Mexican vibes: Taco Bell or Chipotle? (Let me step out real quick. I’m going to go get me some tacos. Will be back soon!)

Oh, hey! So, I sit on a beach and eat tacos. The wind gently touches my hair, it’s still early and all I can hear is the song of seagulls. Everything is quiet now and you just enjoy the magnificent view. But suddenly the whole city awakens. I see people walk, laugh (I wonder what makes them laugh), run (where?) and talk loudly about anything and everything (indistinct chatter). I stand up and go where the wind blows. Suddenly I decide to buy tickets to Disneyland because why not? I wonder how things have changed since the last

time I’ve been there. And they have! Pixar pier, wow! Who would have thought it? My favorite Toy Story characters are right there (happy scream). I run and for the first time ever I don’t even need a FastPass because well it’s online. I don’t have to wait though (if only it was like that in reality!). I guess it will take me less than 5 minutes to explore everything.

Well, I was right. I’m ready to leave for one more spot on my itinerary — Griffith Observatory. I’m lucky it’s almost dark. I’ll get an Uber this time. I sit in the back of the car ready to go. I give the address to the driver and the trip begins (hope there won’t be any detours). A few more blocks and I’m there. Finally, I close the car door. I take the stairs and continue my journey. As I reach my final destination I feel happy I made it. Dreams do come true, don’t they? I can’t believe I see it with my eyes and not in La La Land. It’s dark now. Early stars start to appear in the night sky. I hum a song (City of Stars or Nightcall?). It’s so nice. I wish I could stay there forever! (How does a moment last forever)

It’s late at night and it’s time to go to bed and close all the tabs. The heart fills with hope. And kiss goodnight. Life goes on. Dream now, Travel later.