Yes, I actually saw the sun rise. In these pictures, we're waiting for the tour bus in the parking lot near the Dollar Store.
Very old fig tree on plaza at entrance to Olvera Street
Beginning of Olvera Street.
First Stop: Mr. Churro's
Decorative Wall in Patio Oustide of Mr. Churro's
Skull Confections Are about 3 Inches Tall
Bench Ouside of Mr. Churro's
Mexican hot cocoa and chocolate filled churro
Still on Olvera Street, we went around the corner to the Mexican Heritage Museum, an unexpected treat for me. I was introduced to Siquieros, a muralist who was commissioned by merchants to make a touchy feely, welcoming mural.
What he came up with (detail above) did not please anyone. In fact, they hated it so much, they white washed it and covered it up. These pictures are of a replica, minus the vivid colors of the original.
Notice the representation of the fig tree on the left? Not quite as inviting at the real tree above, is it?
Back on the bus, we got to hear how Curtis chose Mignon's as the next place to visit -- a Lakers player brought a box of Mignon's (pronounced Min - yon) chocolates to a charity event. Below are some boxes for a wedding or shower.
Above are the samples (filled with chocolate ganache) that accompanied the richest hot chocolate I've ever had. It was like drinking a candy bar, only not as thick.
Then, back on the bus for lunch. We went to Tam O' Shanta, which when it was built, was on a dirt road in the 1920's. At one end of the dirt road was the newly constructed Walt Disney Studio and it didn't have a commissary. Walt Disney ate his lunch, often with illustrators, at the Tam O' Shanta every day. We had their famous prime rib sandwich (others foolishly picked turkey) and dessert (of course) was an individual chocolate soufflé with whipped cream.
After lunch, we went to the Monastery of the Angels where cloistered nuns live. I don't have many pictures, because first we went into their chapel to hear them singing their afternoon prayers. All we saw was an altar behind a metal gate -- separating them from the world. Their voices wafted from behind the altar. They pray 24/7 with nuns taking shifts at nights. They have a gift shop where they sell fudge and other goodies. We were entitled to a free sample of fudge but I wimped out at that point and passed. (I've never been a big fan of fudge.)
Then it was right into LA proper. We got to see all kinds of people dressed up as movie characters on Hollywood and Vine. We went to a shopping mall which is where the Academy
Awards are held. Curt told us that they cover up the stores with red velvet so you can't tell it's a mall and the stars walk up the steps on the red carpet to go into the Dolby Theatre which holds about 3,000 people.
Awards are held. Curt told us that they cover up the stores with red velvet so you can't tell it's a mall and the stars walk up the steps on the red carpet to go into the Dolby Theatre which holds about 3,000 people.
This area at the top of the steps is where Joan Rivers or other interviewers stand. Then, behind where I'm standing was our next stop: Sweet.
As you walked in, my nose was filled with sugar!
At this point, I agreed with Snoopy!
This guy was making chocolate bars. See the flowing chocolate? He gave us a sample.
The dog says "Chocolate Lab" and it's where the guy above was working. I can attribute the blurriness to the glass wall, but I think I was overdosing on sugar at that point ...
They make these candies in front of you. There are two huge TV monitors in case you can't see over the crowd.
They cut the pieces off giant tubes that they have constructed. They use scissors to cut the candy!
These are a small sample of jelly bean flavors. On the top is a video of the jelly beans jumping into to flavors, but it's hard to see the animation from this picture.
Yup. The candy is in the toilet.
Wonder Woman has always been a family favorite.
Minnie, too, holds a special place in our hearts.
How could you not love bacon covered in chocolate?
O.k. it's off to Babe's now!
