El Pueblo de Los Angeles..."where the city first began"

El Pueblo de la reina de Los Angeles sobre El Rio de la Porciuncula, "The town of the queen of the angels near the Porciuncula River" Aaron's Tour of Los Angeles - Part 1 website, www.irithandaaron.com/LATour1_1.html

When I was a Girl Scout, growing up in Glendale, I was fortunate to have a wonderful set of leaders who took to heart the importance of teaching all of us about the beginnings of the beautiful city of Los Angeles. It's probably because Doris was the daughter of the family who last owned the Verdugo Adobe and sold it to the City of Glendale for the use as a historical park. What better way to learn the history of Los Angeles than to experience it for ourselves.

I visited Olvera Street many times with the Girl Scouts and with my family. My family always ate at La Golondrina Cafe, the first restaurant of California (and of course I continued the tradition on the day of my photo shoot, and I must say, they have very fine Margheritas!!!!). As my memory recalls (aided by an internet search of grand proportion) Olvera St. was the first plaza, or gathering spot for the neighboring ranchos. It was the site of celebrations of all kinds and of course, the location of the old Plaza Catholic Church.

Today, Olvera Street looks exactly as it did when I was a child. The surrounding city has grown by leaps and bounds, but the street still houses the many vendors and food stands that have been typical there since I first started going. You'll even see some of the same simple toys that I loved to play with, as well as maracas, sombreros, Mexican dresses of all sizes, and those sandals!!! And as you walk down the street, taking in the sights and sounds, you smell the taquitos at Juanitas!!!

And last, but definitely not least...I would have recognized his work anywhere...the murals by Leo Politi. I was blessed to have a wonderful grandmother who also was a librarian...for 52 years! As a child, she always gave us a book for Christmas, birthdays etc...and many of the ones she gave me were books written and illustrated by Leo Politi. My most treasured posessions from my childhood. Because my grandmother was a librarian, she met Leo Politi several times, and as a result, I am proud to say I have several books that are beautifully inscribed by the author himself, my name embellished with flowers and butterflies...works of art on their own.