The Arcadia Quill traveled on Mar.7 from Arcadia High School (AHS) all the way to downtown Los Angeles (LA).  On our way to and back the Quill passed by buildings, parks, and even went through a heavy rainstorm.  

Starting from AHS, our group passed by Arcadia County Park as people played golf and enjoyed the shining sun.  

At Huntington Dr, the group walked past the previously closed local Denny’s that has a windmill attached to it; the restaurant itself has been rebuilt after it was burned down on May 4, 2017. 

Luckily nobody in the restaurant was hurt during the fire, and the restaurant is better than ever now. Passing by the people enjoying their breakfast we continued down the road. Soon after we arrived at Arcadia’s Metro Station, and boarded the metro.

After several stops, we made it to Union Station, downtown LA. As we walked to the Chinese American Museum, we walked through Olvera Street, which had a market district with vendors selling all kinds of goods. The stalls had items from Funko Pops, Hello Kitty Bags, and even slippers and purses in the design of conchas, a type of Mexican sweet bread. There were wooden skulls and keychains in the shape of skeletons that danced in the wind. The line of market stalls even had restaurants sprinkled throughout, selling tacos and empanadas that smelled delicious. There was temptation to buy sweets at a stall selling candy and junk food, but unfortunately the owner was missing when we walked past.  Passing the market we reached a towering gazebo, the El Pueblo Los Angeles Plaza Historic Park:, decorated with hanging Chinese lanterns. After crossing the street, we reached The Old Plaza Firehouse, the first firehouse in LA, and on our left was the Quill’s first destination: The Chinese American Museum. 

After the tour we walked to the Italian American Museum, as we passed through the long line of stalls on Olvera Street and made a left. Soon we were in the front hall of the museum, with the dazzling chandelier in the hall and the shining cases full of intricate clothing and rugged chests, and another tour commenced. 

After the tour the group headed for Little Tokyo, as we raced past buildings and streets, with the large wooden tower soon coming into view. The Quill was split into a few groups, and it was off for shopping and a photography assignment.

I bought an adorable sea bunny plush from The Little Tokyo store that now sits on the armrest of my chair. We also ended up buying a creamy soft serve topped with taiyaki at Somisomi.  

After a good 20 minutes we headed back to the metro station at Little Tokyo and proceeded to ride back to Arcadia’s Metro Station.

Down Santa Anita we took the same path to get back to AHS was the same we used to get to the station only with one key difference: it was raining when we were walking back. So our group bolted through the rain, being pelted with drops of water and hail falling on our heads. Thunder boomed and lightning flashed  as we hid under a tree and waited for the stoplight to change. The streets turned wet and slippery as by the time we returned to school; most of the class looked like drenched cats.

As we walked from AHS to the metro station to Little Tokyo and back, it was a fun experience to record and document all the buildings and stalls we passed, along with the laughs we had while walking.