1000 Memories

Chapter nine

We pass by a fast food store and order some food then drive to the hill with the Hollywood sign on it. Maggie says that it is  located on Mount Lee. It’s a short drive and we park at the bottom of the hill. After getting our bags and the food, we start to hike up the hill. Although the hike to the top is short, I really start to question my choice of wearing a jean skirt. I should have put on jean shorts instead. Maggie is dressed in some sweatpants, tank top and black sneakers. We get to the top of the hill and what a glorious sight it is. The name ‘Hollywood’ stands so tall, taller than I imagined. The steel material painted white still looks good despite the fact that it was repainted years ago.

Maggie just stands by as I continue to watch in awe. She has been here so many times before. The hill overlooks the city and from here I can see the beautiful roads, trees and the horizon. This could be a really good place for a picnic especially in the evening because you can eat as you watch the beautiful sunset as am sure it is from up here.

Maggie’s experience has taught her where all the sensors are located and since we are aware that we are trespassing, we don’t want to trigger any alarms. Lord knows I do not want to sleep in a cell tonight. There were so many ‘Do not enter signs and even a gate as we climbed up the hill, but we all know this experience is so much worth the risk. The thrill is amazing despite the fact that a lot of people especially newbies get caught even before they get to experience the view.

Despite being illegal, the area is restricted simple because that climb up the hill is quite dangerous and some people who climb up here tend to vandalize the property by writing names, calligraphy or something of the sort.

“I told u, afternoon is the best time to come here. Nobody ever visits at this time and thee police mostly patrol in the evening.” Maggie says convincing me further that we are not going to get caught and this point watching the view I just think it will be worth it if we do sleep in jail tonight.

We sit on one of the huge rocks lying around and watch as time fly by as we tell countless stories. I take out my camera that I’d carried and take pictures of the beautiful scenery for memories’ sake. I’ve always loved photography and am really good at it if I do say so myself. I didn’t go to school for that, I just got better with practice for many years. I cant wait to send some of these pictures to my mom. She has also always wanted to visit this place but unlike me, she would never dare to come up here knowing very well that it’s illegal. I take artistic shots of Maggie too that she would later frame and put on a wall, or post on her i********: page.

I usually post most of my artistic shots on my photography website where people can view and even buy the photographs. This is how I used to make money back in college and a lot of people who knew me after college did not know this fact about me because I do not do it as often. My mom always encourages me to keep taking photographs because that is one of the things that I love and that am good at.

After being up here for quite some time, we get hungry and so we take out the food that we almost forgot we had and start eating.

Its almost evening and we wish that we could catch the sunset but the cops are almost about to start the evening patrol and since we don’t want to get, we pick up our stuff start the walk back to the car.

Instead of immediately going back home we decide to visit one more place. Maggie picks the Hollywood walk of fame since I’d chosen to go to the hill. The boulevard was more congested than I thought would be at this time of the day. Many people stood taking pictures at the terrazzo and brass stars on the floor with the names of their favourite celebrities. I also take this opportunity to take pictures. We spend less time here than we did at the hill before Maggie says we should find a restaurant to eat dinner before heading home. “Yeah we should out tonight. Am too tired and I don’t feel  like cooking,” I instantly agree with her.

We choose a nice little Italian restaurant with such friendly wait staff who serve us their  customary pasta dish and it is so good that even Maggie wonders why she has never come to this restaurant before. The ambience and view of tourists taking pictures on the walk of fame as you eat your pasta is so appealing.

“Hmm who knows, this might just be a daily stop for Italian traditional food.” I say and  Maggie nods in agreement.