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.

【红霞译文】

        开篇想说的第一句话就是，圣诞节快乐。

        无巧不成书，通常每逢圣诞佳节我们均外出庆祝，去年南下马里兰州，今年易地将笔锋锁定到具有异乡情调的南加州，通过浏览洛杉矶市中心、贝弗利山庄以及好莱坞等重地，得以好好体味节日为日常生活所营造的欢快气息。

        我家房舍说来不算太窘，就其规模大小而言与贝弗利山庄各处别墅旗鼓相当，但明星的生活标准大多基于地理位置和建筑风格考量，住在眼前这片百万富翁聚首的地方，居民不出五分钟即可走进洛杉矶最为昂贵的奢华名店，而且豪宅周围布满城市公园，都市生活与自然环境交相呼应。

        再者，我家社区房型可谓千篇一律，正面贴砖，车库位居侧面，三角形屋顶，少许人家门前建有凉台。贝弗利山庄截然不同，每家构造独具特色，有的形如城堡，还有的倒像盒子，然而有一点英雄所见略同，那就是出手不菲，房价绝非小打小闹。

        多数居住在比佛利山庄的人都有本事发财，不过谁也比不过好莱坞善于呼风唤雨的演员，大腕肯定独领风骚，其次就是遐迩闻名的艺人，还有那些继承家业的幸运儿，如果他们成心想让世人皆知，那么干脆把自己的名字刻在好莱坞星光大道上。千真万确，好莱坞大道铺满星星，无一不是全美备受注目的演艺圈人士，从迈克尔·杰克逊到汤姆·克鲁斯，大凡电视电影功成名就的艺人争相在这里留芳，然而有一点我觉得滑稽搞笑，行人怎么忍心把倍受自己宠爱的明星踩在脚下。该地带恐怕算作全国最火的影院所在地，马路右边为格劳曼中国大剧院，而左边则是超级埃尔·卡皮坦剧院，时下正上演《星球大战：侠盗一号》；打扮成各个经典角色的男女人物在街上翩翩起舞，显然他们凭借这身行头招徕照相生意；热狗烤肉香味扑鼻而来，孰不知要勾出多少馋虫上钩。好莱坞高地购物中心离影院不远，高档商店比比皆是，从这里放眼望去还能看到“好莱坞” 标志，虽说视觉效果不如格里菲斯天文台，但拍照留影仍不失为极好去处。

        洛杉矶有啥好看？

        好莱坞星光大道、比佛利山庄别墅豪宅，关键在于每栋建筑仿佛出自不同时代，还有大批《星球大战》影迷。

相关博文：

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