2016-12-25

【Aiden in English】

        First things first, Merry Christmas.

        The funny thing is, I'm usually no home when celebrating Christmas. Last year went down south to Maryland, and this year, once again, it would be some places in Southern California where this is written. Los Angeles, the exotic tourist destination, seemingly blended the Christmas cheer with its everyday life, such as areas in downtown L.A, Beverly Hills, and Hollywood.

        My house, to say the least, is not modest. Not going to lie, its size pretty much matches those of Beverly Hills. But the major factors of the residency of superstars that separate the living standards are the location and architecture. Those living in this millionaire magnet neighborhood can walk to the most expensive shops in L.A, all within five minutes. They have many city parks surrounding their homes, so there is a balance between nature and city life. 

        Secondly, my neighborhood appears to be a copy and paste from house to house. Brick front, garage on the side, triangular roofs, and an occasional balcony. Beverly is quite different, with each and every house unique. Some take on a miniature castle, others may even resemble a box. Yet all of them have something in common, and it costs a lot more than "something".

        Most of these living in Beverly Hills all have ways of making a large coin. Yet no one quite makes as much money as those actors in Hollywood. Well, at least the famous ones. Following them are the popular artists and the very lucky people who inherited fortunes from previous family members. And if they really wished, and if enough people knew them, then they could have their names engraved on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Literally, stars lined on Hollywood Blvd with all of American actors and artists. From Michael Jackson to Tom Cruise, every person on TV or on the big screen has had his or her name on a star. I find it ironic, however, how all the pedestrians stand over the very people they look up to.  Along the street of stars were probably the hottest movie areas in the country. On the right, there was Grauman's Chinese Theatre. On the left was an enormous cinema called the El Capitan Theatre, featuring Star Wars, Rogue One. All around, characters from the classics waltzed the streets, obviously charging for pictures. An aroma of hot dogs and roasting meat filled the air, provoking more than just a few growling stomachs. Next to the theaters was a large shopping mall of Hollywood and Highland, having the most expensive stores, as well as a schematic image of the Hollywood Sign. Although it isn't as good as the Griffith Observatory's view, it surely can provide any tourist a great photo.

        What's in L.A? 

        There's the Hollywood Walk of Fame. There are those Beverly Hills houses, each looking like from a different era. There's also a bunch of Stars Wars fans, too.

【紅霞譯文】

        開篇想說的第一句話就是，聖誕節快樂。

        無巧不成書，通常每逢聖誕佳節我們均外出慶祝，去年南下馬里蘭州，今年易地將筆鋒鎖定到具有異鄉情調的南加州，通過瀏覽洛杉磯市中心、貝弗利山莊以及好萊塢等重地，得以好好體味節日為日常生活所營造的歡快氣息。

        我家房舍說來不算太窘，就其規模大小而言與貝弗利山莊各處別墅旗鼓相當，但明星的生活標準大多基於地理位置和建築風格考量，住在眼前這片百萬富翁聚首的地方，居民不出五分鐘即可走進洛杉磯最為昂貴的奢華名店，而且豪宅周圍布滿城市公園，都市生活與自然環境交相呼應。

        再者，我家社區房型可謂千篇一律，正面貼磚，車庫位居側面，三角形屋頂，少許人家門前建有涼台。貝弗利山莊截然不同，每家構造獨具特色，有的形如城堡，還有的倒像盒子，然而有一點英雄所見略同，那就是出手不菲，房價絕非小打小鬧。

        多數居住在比佛利山莊的人都有本事發財，不過誰也比不過好萊塢善於呼風喚雨的演員，大腕肯定獨領風騷，其次就是遐邇聞名的藝人，還有那些繼承家業的幸運兒，如果他們成心想讓世人皆知，那麼乾脆把自己的名字刻在好萊塢星光大道上。千真萬確，好萊塢大道鋪滿星星，無一不是全美備受注目的演藝圈人士，從邁克爾·傑克遜到湯姆·克魯斯，大凡電視電影功成名就的藝人爭相在這裡留芳，然而有一點我覺得滑稽搞笑，行人怎麼忍心把倍受自己寵愛的明星踩在腳下。該地帶恐怕算作全國最火的影院所在地，馬路右邊為格勞曼中國大劇院，而左邊則是超級埃爾·卡皮坦劇院，時下正上演《星球大戰：俠盜一號》；打扮成各個經典角色的男女人物在街上翩翩起舞，顯然他們憑藉這身行頭招徠照相生意；熱狗烤肉香味撲鼻而來，孰不知要勾出多少饞蟲上鈎。好萊塢高地購物中心離影院不遠，高檔商店比比皆是，從這裡放眼望去還能看到“好萊塢” 標誌，雖說視覺效果不如格里菲斯天文台，但拍照留影仍不失為極好去處。

        洛杉磯有啥好看？

        好萊塢星光大道、比佛利山莊別墅豪宅，關鍵在於每棟建築仿佛出自不同時代，還有大批《星球大戰》影迷。

相關博文：

LA—Griffith Observatory, CA(加州洛杉磯—格里菲斯天文台)