My recent trip to Los Angeles made me realize that things are not always as they seem. We often chase an illusion of perfection, only to find that reality is quite different. While we enjoyed our spontaneous, short stay in L.A.—a city famed for its glitz, glamour, and high life—it didn’t quite match the image I had in mind.
Los Angeles had been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember. Growing up in a third-world country, I dreamt of its pristine beaches, glamorous celebrities, and iconic hotspots. It seemed like the place where one could achieve fame, fortune and live happily ever after. But, much like Cinderella’s fairytale, the enchantment was fleeting.
Let me paint a picture of my view of Los Angeles. This may not be the view for everyone and probably not for those living in the affluent pockets of L.A. As we drove from LAX to our hotel, the cityscape appeared quite ordinary—a mix of industrial and residential areas. It wasn’t much different from other countries I had visited, including my own, South Africa. Some homes even resembled those in middle to lower-income South African neighborhoods.
We stayed in Long Beach due to work commitments, and upon reaching our hotel, we were greeted by the familiar sight of palm trees. I felt hopeful and excited. Our hotel seemed to be one of the more impressive ones in the area, overlooking the harbor with a large outdoor pool and a man-made pond with swan boats. Each morning, we woke up to this view, along with more yachts than I could count. Money definitely lives there!
Having grown up in the ’90s listening to Snoop Dogg rap about cruising through Long Beach, I had imagined it to be a lively, glamorous place. However, aside from the countless yachts, it was quite basic with not much to do. Walking around, we encountered what became a common sight during our five days in L.A: homeless people. They were everywhere, especially on the beach. Our tour guide explained that the consistently good weather makes it an appealing place for the homeless, which made sense.
On our second day, we decided to take a tour. Normally, I’m not a fan of tours, but with limited time, it seemed like the best option. We were excited to see the famous Hollywood sign and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. I couldn’t wait to see the stars that my favorite celebrities flawlessly posed next to. However, the reality was far from what I expected: it was gritty and somewhat shady, not glamorous at all! Our guide mentioned that J.Lo had been at a premiere there the day before. Seeing the place in person compared to the images in the media was like night and day. As for the Hollywood sign: it was underwhelming.
Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, however, lived up to its reputation. It was pristine and lined with luxurious designer stores! We loved Venice Beach and Santa Monica Pier, so much so that we spent a day there. It had a vibrant atmosphere and filled us with nostalgia, especially knowing that Baywatch was filmed there. However, as much as we enjoyed it, we’ve been to similar, if not better, beaches in Europe and Cape Town. So, while it was great, it wasn’t the mind-blowing experience we had expected from L.A.
This post isn’t meant to bash Los Angeles. It is a great city with many positives. However, the appeal created on TV and in the media is largely an illusion. Experiencing the seediness of the Hollywood strip made me think about all the young dreamers hoping to make it big in Hollywood, as only a few succeed. What happens to the rest? Perhaps they end up taking jobs as street performers in costume or, worse, get exploited by unscrupulous agents or producers with false promises of fame and fortune (think Diddy and Harvey Weinstein).
My trip to Los Angeles. made me reflect on how people are deceived by the media (including social media). Yes, there is glitz and glamour, but that is just a small part of someone’s life. More often than not, people are editing and using filters to create a facade of perfection… and that’s ok. Our choices here are purely personal. However, there is no perfect place and no perfect people. With everything happening in the world today, it’s becoming clear that much of what we believe is carefully crafted, tailored and narrated by those in power.
The pursuit of perfection can be a trap, luring us into a never-ending chase for something that doesn’t truly exist. Instead of seeking perfection, it is better to live fully in the present with those that matter most. Enjoy each moment, love with all your heart, and just be… because everything else may just be an illusion.
Disclaimer: Unless quoted or extracted from a verified source, the thoughts and views on my blog are based on my experiences. Please consume as such.
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