The first Airbnb we stayed in during this time in LA was in Laurel Canyon. Little did I know, this Canyon is quite famous because it was at the center of the counter-culture movement of late 60s and early 70s. Many singers and groups found their inspiration from this area and several made their homes in its windy streets. Some of these folks were (are) Mammas and the Pappas, Frank Zappa, Joni Mitchell, Jim Morrison (of The Doors), and Carol King.
The drive to our Airbnb was terrifying. It was hard for us to imagine streets being so windy and steep. At one place, we had to take a left turn in what looked like someone’s narrow driveway. No, it was a very narrow street, which took a sharp right turn and went to the house where we were going to stay. The last couple of yards, the car had to be stopped, engine complaining loudly, while our host opened the gate to our parking spot. As we later found out, pulling car out and on the road was also equally challenging, especially if there was a car parked outside the house. Then, we had to do a three-point turn on a steep incline. Our poor old CRV had never experienced this type of punishment and we wondered how people who drove cars with manual transmission managed to live there.
Our hosts were interesting people. The woman who greeted us could have stepped out of a fashion magazine. The man (husband?) was very chatty. He told us his life story how he started fixing cars when he was in high school and how he got connected with some famous actors in Hollywood. As his fame spread, so did his business. He specialized in engines of foreign cars. Apparently, he also built his house, which was quite an amazing place. Our part of the house was a cottage with access to a swimming pool and a covered patio. His part wrapped around the cottage, with a parking spot above its roof. He had an outdoor shower with discrete covering so we could hear him, but thankfully not see him.
The streets were quite challenging when we decided to take a walk. The famous Country Store, where the counter-culture folks congregated, was a steep but short walk down. We went there to purchase a few things but also to take a look at the store and people.
Inside the store were numerous photographs of its illustrative past. Outside were some folks who looked like regulars. After having lemonade, we walked back, going up all the way. It was quite a workout, which deserved a dip in the pool afterwards.
This was perhaps the best Airbnb we had stayed in. Our children, their spouses, and our precious granddaughter came for a cookout and swim. Meera’s brother came too, all the way from San Diego. We had a lot of fun.
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