Sunday, November 9, 2008

The Beauty of Diversity


This morning, Mr. Wonderful and I went hiking in the Hollywood Hills. I’m sure I’ve mentioned it before, but I absolutely adore Hollywood. Its combination of grit and glamour. The duality of exclusiveness and total acceptance.

We passed all sorts of people as we made our way up to the Hollywood sign. Young folks, old folks, dog lovers, yuppies, hippies, photography students. It was a busy morning up the canyon. I had never seen the Hollywood sign so close before. I was extremely sad I didn’t have a camera on me to document what the giant letters looked like from the back.

After we made our way down the hill, I dropped off a clothing donation bag to the Gay and Lesbian Center where the faithful volunteers of the Food on Foot organization meet every Sunday. There again, I was greeted by a mixture of interesting characters.

At the Hollywood farmer’s market, we wove through crowds of people as colorful as the fruit and veggie stands flanking their path. Children danced to the street musicians. Young girls carried bouquets of wildflowers in their canvas bags and wheeled baskets. Smells of incense mingled with the perfume of organic oranges and freshly-baked bread.

So much to see. So much to sense.

It made me so appreciative that we’re not all the same.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

If we were all the same, blogs wouldn't exist! :P

Anonymous said...

What a great way to use a day.

Anonymous said...

Wasn't it windy up there today?

Anonymous said...

sounds like a fun hike! we were horseback riding up there on saturday and passed right by the hollywood sign.

Jenn Martinson said...

I'm appreciative that you don't look like me but you appreciate the diversity in the world, your city, your block.

Melissa Maris said...

Varietyisthespice - Ain't that the truth. And THEN what would we have to read all day?! ;)

Justrun - It was a great day. We lucked out with beautiful weather too. And a celebrity sighting at dinner.

Geekhiker - Nope, no wind just beautiful blue skies.

Laura - Thanks for calling me! Whatever! Mr. W and I were just talking about that horseback ride - unfortunately I think he's allergic to horses.

Coconut Diaries - Life would be incredibly boring if we all looked the same and thought the same. The people who are different from me are the ones who intrigue me most!

Alysha said...

I love reading your words. You have such a talent of making your reader feel, smell, taste - just absorb themselves into the situation they are reading. It sounds fabulous!

Bretthead said...

I agree, what an interesting place! I have a conference there every March and will be going there for the third time in '09. I enjoy seeing trendy club-goers, tattoo parlors, homeless people, tranny prostitutes and the rich and famous all in a few square blocks.