More of the Olvera Street trip

Well, Syd is much faster on the blog than I am. She posted some of the best shots and told the stories so I'll fill in a few more pictures. I took 96 pictures and 4 videos, but the videos aren't that good. I may post one or two later. We took the Metrolink to downtown LA Union Station, which is right across the street from Olvera Street. I had wanted to do this several months ago, but the girls got sick at different times so we had to postpone it, then Syd suggested we wait for Easter and see the annual Blessing of the Animals on the Saturday before Easter, so we did. The train took about an hour to get downtown, so we had time to sit and talk and enjoy the scenery. You know, Old Newhall, Sylmar, Pacoima, Sun Valley, Atwater, the train yards. Actually it was interesting, especially when we went through the three-mile long, 150-year old train tunnel connecting Santa Clarita with the San Fernando Valley. Chinese laborers dig it by hand from both sides of the mountain and the engineering was so good they met in the middle only a foot or two off target. The tunnel is a favorite hang out for teenagers, and suicidal people, and was built for older trains so it's a little tight and we had to slow way down to get through. You'd look out the window and couldn't really see much, but when you could you realized the wall was only inches from the window.

We hung out in LA for about 3 1/2 hours. The girls, all three of them, were good as gold and the trip was just great.

Getting on the train in Santa Clarita

Grandma and the girls enjoying the view.

Getting off at Union Station

Walking out of Union Station; I'd never been there before and I was surprised how stylized it was. They must have been restoring it for some time now. It was as good as anything I've seen back east.

We got to the street just before Sydney made it. Standing in front of the fountain.

Syd made it shortly after we got there. The girls have a way of making you feel like you're the most important person there.

The traditional Easter Bunny shot. Sade doesn't look very excited here, but she really did enjoy it.

Cardinal Mahoney proceeding to the blessing stand. I didn't know he was the one to do the blessing, but he was recognizable right away. He's looking right at me!

The Mariachi band that led the parade.

Cardinal Mahoney blessing the animals. They actually had a large group of various people go through before the public. I gathered from what they were saying that these groups go through every year. There was a family all riding horses, a group of Aztec warriors, various unusual animals (see Syd's photos), and guests, then the public went through. All kinds of dogs were the most prevalent (mostly chihuahuas. What a surprise in LA), but there were turtles, snakes, cats, lamas, rabbits, sheep, goats, you name it, it was there. The Cardinal had a tub of water and used what looked like an ostrich feather duster that he would dip into the water, then sprinkle (more like shower) the people as they passed by.

One of the Aztec warriors. There were about 8 of them. Click on the shot to see the details of the costume. I wish I had his shield in the picture too. This is all bead work and feathers.

The street was crowded, as usual and all the stuff they sell is the same junk as when I was a kid. We forgot to stop at the taquito stand at the north end of the street. It's about as famous as Tito's Tacos. We did eat at one of the restaurants on the patio where the birds were so used to people some of them came right up to Nayah's hand for food.

After Olvera Street we walked to China Town a couple of blocks away where grandma bought the girls some oriental fans. Not as much to see, but Sade and Nyah were kind of fascinated with some of the seafood. Extra tentacles anyone?

Waiting for the return train ride home at Union Station. Check out the old 1940's style seats.

The inside of Union Station. The art deco is fantastic. This is just one section, closed off to the public while they do some restoration work.

Check out the art work in each of the ceiling sections. I haven't seen anything like this since we went to the Salt Lake visitor's center last Christmas with Eddie and Carline. That was much better, but you don't see this around LA much at all.

These are precious. Cali is responding to Jeremy and trying to talk with him.

We had a great time and I don't think I'll ever forget this trip together.