Author Archives: OROGOLD Locations

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Dusk to Dawn in North America’s Largest City

Catedral Metropolitana, Mexico

Mexico City is bursting with so many different things to see and do, but if you only have one day to spend in the city, narrowing down all of your options can be quite tough. To make your life easier, this itinerary is perfect for those who only have a day to spare, and showcases some of the finest landmarks and sights that the city has to offer.

El Paseo de la Reforma
Begin your day in Mexico City at El Paseo de la Reforma, which is a famous avenue that sports many European influences. It begins at the city center, and runs all the way to the Chapultepec Castle, with several cultural highlights along the way, from the fountain of Diana the Huntress to the Angel of Independence.

Castillo de Chapultepec and the Museo Nacional de Historia
Castillo Chapultepec is a historic castle that has served many roles over the past, and today is home to the Museo Nacional de Historia. When entering the park, you will need to make your way down to the bottom of the hill to explore the castle, which is open from Tuesdays to Sundays. From here, there is special transportation to take visitors to the museum at the top, although you can also access it via a fifteen minute walk. While you may not have time to fully explore the collection here, the view of the city from the balcony of the museum is definitely not to be missed.

Catedral Metropolitana
Once you have explored Castillo de Chapultepec, head back to the city center to take a look around the Catedral Metropolitana. This cathedral sits on top of ancient Aztec temple ruins, and there are even a few remaining walls that you can check out. At one point in time, the cathedral was considered to be endangered, as the soft clay soil it was built on led to it sinking dramatically, but it has now been reconstructed to guarantee its conservation. While at the cathedral, be sure to sample one of the cookie-like biscuits that you will find here, cooking over a grill. Known as gorditas de nata, these are usually served up in a stack, which is rolled in wax paper, and should always be eaten while still warm.

Templo Mayor and Museo del Templo Mayor
Templo Mayor is where you will be able to see the ruins of an Aztec pyramid, with walkways laid across the dig site to ensure that visitors enjoy a good view. The museum here is equally fascinating, with over 6000 items on display, so be sure to allocate a couple of hours to explore its offerings.

Pata Negra
Since you likely grabbed a quick street food snack for your lunch, head to Pata Negra for an exceptional meal to round out your day. If you have a few hours to spare, the venue begins to play music later on in the evening, from modern to Latin, while Wednesdays sees free salsa classes being hosted here.

A single day in Mexico City is not nearly enough to even scratch the surface on all that the city has to offer. However, this itinerary will give you a brief taster of some of the city’s highlights, and guarantees an unforgettable, and educational, day out.

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Eat Your Way Through Mexico City’s Historic City Center

Mexican street food

Mexico City’s Historic Center is filled with remnants of the city’s heritage, and while its museums and landmarks are definitely educational to explore, you will also not be able to ignore the tantalizing aromas that waft over from the area’s many street food stalls. From tlacoyos to tamales, these are some of the street foods that you simply have to try.

Tamales and Atole
If you are seeking a street food snack to start your day with, then look for a stall that serves up tamales and atole. This is one of the most popular of street food dishes, and features steamed, corn husk pockets of masa that have been stuffed with a meat or cheese. Atole is a hot corn-based beverage that has been sweetened with unrefined sugar and flavored with cinnamon and vanilla, and perfectly balanced out the tamale to result in a fresh and filling breakfast.

Tlacoyos
Believed to have been created by the original inhabitants of Toluca, a town that lies 40 miles west of Mexico City, tlacoyos are a snack that has barely changed since Aztec times, making this a truly authentic street food snack. These eye-shaped discs of blue corn masa are stuffed with a filling of your choice, whether this may be braised pork belly, mashed fava beans or fresh Mexican cheese, before being cooked on a large, open-air griddle. The crispy cakes are then topped with either wild spinach or grilled cactus paddles, before being drizzled with cotija cheese and red or green salsa.

Jugo
Mexico is home to quite the selection of fresh produce, and the juice bars that you will find all over the Historic Center make the most of these, while providing a refresher from the sun’s intense heat. Whether you opt for a single fruit or a more elaborate, mixed blend, these juices never fail to hit the spot on a hot day in the city.

Tostadas
Tostadas are deep-fried corn tortillas with a delicious topping, and while they may sometimes be quite simple and humble, many street food stalls are now putting their own spin on this Mexican staple. Many stalls in the Historic Center will serve up dozens of varieties of tostada toppings, with everything from fresh shrimp, tomato and chilli to pork in mole.

Tacos al Pastor
While you may come across several delicious street eats in Mexico City, the majority of these have usually originated elsewhere. However, tacos al pastor is one of the only dishes to have actually originated in the capital itself, and were hugely influenced by the city’s Lebanese immigrants in the 1950’s. A variant of the Middle Eastern shawarma, this dish features marinated grilled meat that is thinly sliced, before being topped with onions and coriander, and then rolled up in a tortilla.

You will find a street food stall parked on just about every street corner in Mexico City, but this is, without a doubt, one of the highlights of the city. From freshly fried tlacoyos to flavorful tostadas, you should definitely not leave the city without tasting these foods at least once.

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Travel Advice for Mexico

traveling couple

Travelling to a new destination for the first time can often be quite daunting, especially if you are not quite sure exactly what to expect. From safety tips to shopping tips, here are a few snippets of travel advice that promise to be a useful read before you set off for Mexico.

Avoid Flagging Taxis on the Street
While hailing a cab from the side of the street may not seem like a dangerous activity, this is a way in which a number of tourists are targeted each year, as thieves either pose as taxi drivers, or work with taxi drivers, to take advantage of visitors. Instead, if you need a taxi, have your hotel or restaurant call you one, so that you can be sure that they are from a reputable company.

Pack Breathable Fabrics
Many people travel to Mexico and watch in wonder as the locals go about their business in long, covered clothing, especially when the heat is really beating it down. However, the secret here is the fact that their clothing is made from breathable fabrics, such as cottons and linens. Even the traditional huipil, which is still worn throughout eastern Mexico, is made from cotton to ensure that the wearer does not end up feeling too hot. So, when packing your suitcase, be sure to leave the synthetics at home and opt for natural fabrics as much as possible.

Try to Speak Some Spanish
When visiting a new country, it is always a good idea to learn a few words in the local language beforehand. Not only does this improve upon your own language skills, but it is also something that locals will really appreciate when you are speaking to them. If you Spanish is extremely rusty, do not feel embarrassed, as locals are likely to help you out with your words and pronunciations rather than mock you.

Taste Regional Specialities
Mexican food is now available all over the world, but the food that you will actually encounter in Mexico is likely to be quite different from the Mexican cuisine you will have tasted in the past. While tacos, enchiladas and all of your other favorites will still be available, Mexican cuisine is so much more complex than this, and each region will have their own range of speciality dishes. From Mayan-influenced dishes to meals that date back to the Aztecs, make sure that you sample a wide variety of dishes when travelling to Mexico.

Don’t Drink Tap Water
The tap water in Mexico is not safe to drink, and this includes the ice that is made from it, so be sure to purchase bottled water when travelling through the country. Some hotels may have purified tap water, but unless there is a sign stating this, be sure not to drink it.

Mexico is a diverse and fascinating country, with so much to offer. While you do need to take a few travel precautions when visiting, do not forget to let your guard down so that you can really enjoy the warmth and generosity that you will experience from locals.

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Three Days in Barcelona

The cosmopolitan capital of the region of Catalonia, the Spanish city of Barcelona is famous for its culture, art and architecture. While you could easily spend countless days wandering the city’s colorful streets, three days is still enough time to explore Barcelona’s most captivating highlights.

La Sagrada Familia

TTstudio / Shutterstock.com

Day One
To kick off your visit to Barcelona, La Sagrada Familia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site church, should be your first stop. This is one of the city’s most popular attractions, as it was designed by world-renowned architect Antoni Gaudi, and has been under construction since 1882. Continuing on with the Gaudi theme, head to La Pedrera next, which is one of his most intriguing buildings, and has a rooftop sculpture park that will definitely impress. For those who want to see even more architecture, Casa Batllo, another of Gaudi’s buildings, Casa Amatller and Casa Lleo Morera are all worth checking out. After grabbing lunch at a nearby tapas bar, walk on over to La Rambla, a lively street with an authentic Mediterranean ambience, and take a stroll around the area before making your way to the Picasso Museum, which is home to one of the most extensive Picasso collections in the world.

Views from Montjuic Castle

Day Two
If possible, begin your second day in Barcelona early, so that you can catch the sunrise views from the top of Montjuic Castle, which boasts some of the best panoramas in the city. From here, it is a short walk to the Joan Miro Foundation, a museum that showcases the work of this iconic Spanish painter. Another short walk will take you to the Olympic Stadium, and then to the National Art Museum of Catalonia, which is home to one of the most important medieval art collections in the world and is located in an extraordinarily beautiful building. For those of you that are sports fans, round up your evening at the FC Barcelona Museum and Camp Nou Stadium, which is the home of FC Barcelona, and also the most popular museum in the city. Finally, finish off your day at the Magic Fountain, where you can enjoy a sound and light show before stopping off at a local restaurant for a tasty meal.

Ciutadella Park

Day Three
If the weather allows for it, spend your last morning in Barcelona at Ciutadella Park, which is a landscaped park that feels almost like a magnificent oasis with the way in which its monuments are arranged. Not too far away is the Barcelona Zoo, which will no doubt appeal to those travelling with children. After lunch, the Barcelona Cathedral can be found nearby, as can the Contemporary Art Museum, which is known for its temporary exhibits. The Maritime Museum is also in the area, and is another highlight for those travelling as a family. There are some great restaurants to enjoy your final Spanish dinner around here, such as Bar Celta, a tapas bar that has been around for over 40 years, and is revered for its regional specialties.

When planning your three days in Barcelona, keep in mind that you may want to avoid the weekends, as most of the shops in the city are closed on a Sunday. Although three days may not seem like long, most of the city’s attractions are relatively near each other, meaning that you can pack your days with plenty of activities.

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Top Chinese New Year Celebrations

Chinese New Year

Prapas Satong / Shutterstock.com

The Year of the Monkey may have begun on the 8th of February, but celebrations are far from over. For those of you that still want to join in on the festivities, these are some of the very best places around the world for celebrating Chinese New Year.

Beijing, China
China is, of course, the number one place to go if you really want to go all out to celebrate Chinese New Year. While most people in China’s big cities head home to smaller towns for the holiday, creating the largest annual human migration in the world, Beijing has a population of over 20 million residents, meaning that the city is a lively one to spend Chinese New Year. The city gets blanketed in red decorations, and temple fairs put on traditional shows, complete with authentic food stalls serving Chinese New Year specialities. This really is the mother of all Chinese New Year celebrations, and is definitely the city to visit if you want to experience festivities at their most authentic.

San Francisco, USA
Between the colors and events found in San Francisco’s Chinatown and the festivities hosted throughout the city, San Francisco’s Chinese New Year celebrations are some of the biggest and boldest that you will find outside of Asia. The two giant markets selling a variety of goods are a joy to explore, while the food stalls serving up authentic bites make tasty stopping points as you wander around. Visitors can expect to see 100 martial artists wearing a massive 268-foot dragon costume, acrobats dancing around the streets, stilt walkers taller than you’ve ever seen, and marching drumming bands giving the city a whole new rhythm, and, to top it all off, the spectacular sight of 600,000 exploding firecrackers. Another highlight of the holiday is the illuminated night parade, which is not only one of the few night parades in the US, but has also been named as one of the top ten parades in the world.This is the largest Asian cultural event in North America, and it never disappoints, earning itself such a reputation that it is now officially sponsored by Southwest Airlines.

Sydney, Australia
Sydney has quite an advantage over other cities when it comes to their Chinese New Year celebrations, as the days are still warm in the city at this time of the year, meaning that visitors need not worry about being outdoors in the cold. Over 600,000 visitors travel to Sydney for Chinese New Year each year for the variety of events that are hosted around the city. From a variety of art exhibits to a twilight parade to traditional dragon boat races, it is no surprise that the city is so popular for this holiday. You will also find smaller celebrations within different areas of the city, such as in Thai Town and Koreatown.

It does not matter where in the world you live, as you are likely to be able to find a Chinese New Year celebration near you. Even if they may not be as extravagant as the ones mentioned above, they will still give you a true taste of the holiday, as well as the invaluable experience of immersing yourself in another culture.

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Where to Stay for Fashion Week

Luxury hotel room

Wherever you go for a Fashion Week, the fact remains that you need somewhere to stay. You can jetset around the world all you like, but you might not have a house in every fashion week city. That’s where quality hotels come into play. There are always plenty of places to stay in any city, but finding the ones that are actually worthwhile is an often vexing chore. As a result, OROGOLD wishes to help by providing suggestions on places to stay as you travel around for fashion week. Just because the season typically starts in New York doesn’t mean that is stays there, after all. These suggestions are based more on the quality of the hotel than proximity to fashion week itself, but luxury tends to attract luxury in these matters so you won’t have to travel far.

The Empire Hotel – New York Fashion Week
The Empire Hotel is actually one of the best places you can stay for Fashion Week in New York thanks to its proximity to one of the primary runway buildings. This isn’t to say that it is far from the others, but crossing the street to get to a show does have a certain appeal to it. The hotel itself provides high-quality service as it caters to those seeking a bit of luxury in life without it being placed out of reach. A distinct attraction for the hotel is its rooftop bar that allows you to look out over the Big Apple as you enjoy a drink of your choice. Many people rub shoulders in the bar, but you can be sure most of them are worth knowing.

Palazzo Parigi Milano – Milan Fashion Week
Milan’s depth of history makes it sometimes dizzying to know where to go. Fortunately, the Palazzo Parigi Milano covers that by resting towards the center of the city. It isn’t quite at the heart of it all like the Duomo, but it is within easy walking distance. This placement actually puts the hotel in a good location for Fashion Week as several fashion houses are located relatively nearby. The hotel is used to catering to clients with a taste for the finer things in life. Most rooms have plenty of space and make nods to the long history of Milan without forgetting the modern pulse of the city itself. The relative proximity to the center of the city also means you can visit a wide number of the historical landmarks in the city when you’re not watching the runways.

Hotel de l’Abbaye Saint-Germain – Paris Fashion Week
Offering a distinct atmosphere, Hotel de l’Abbaye Saint-Germain focuses on providing you with an air of luxury and beauty as opposed to just a serviceable room with good services. You’re sure to feel right at home thanks to the careful degree of attention focused on the décor. A relaxing garden ensures you can get away from the bustle of Paris when the shows and the crowds get to be too much as well. The hotel enjoys good placement within the Saint Germain section of Paris and offers relatively easy access to other parts of the city without it being too much trouble. This hotel isn’t as close to Fashion Week locations as our other selections, but it makes up for it with its distinct character. That and after multiple Fashion Weeks it might be pleasant to be a bit farther away from all the action.

A hotel doesn’t just have to be the place you lay your head down at night when traveling. They can be homes away from home too. This makes selecting a hotel a matter of personal style just as much as what you wear. OROGOLD hopes that these recommendations provide you with a glimpse into some of the lovelier places to stay during some Fashion Weeks. The beauty of each of these hotels is sure to rival the beauty walking down the runways.

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High-End Travel Accessories for Guys

Traveling is a chore for everyone. You have to remember what to pack and when to pack it by. Oh, and then there’s that last minute sudden realization ten minutes before the driver is supposed to get there that you’ve managed to somehow forget toothpaste or something else vital. The rush only stops once the plan is off the ground and only then because you’re officially committed to things and there’s no more fussing left you can do. While OROGOLD can’t help with these standard travel dilemmas, we can suggest a few extra things for you to consider before your next trip. Pack smart and stylishly with these accessories. Don’t be that guy who has shaving cream explode in his suitcase all over his shirts.

Toiletries bag.

Toiletries Bag
You’ve seen them before. Whether it was your father or grandfather, those small, often leather bags they stuffed all their toiletries into when traveling. Sometimes they even just kept things in them routinely to keep things tidy. These bags come in a myriad of forms allowing you to pick the one that suits you best. A quality leather bag exudes old school charm no matter where you put it, but maybe you’re a more modern sort of man. If you are, then feel free to consider other materials as well. The key when picking out a good bag is to figure out what you need. The variations in size are important, yes, but a number of higher quality bags include extra features to make travel easier on you. But do remember to pack your toiletries in one of these just to keep everything tidy. It certainly beats digging through luggage pockets for the fifth time in an evening wondering where your razor went.

Tie Case
Tired of all your ties looking unfit for wear when you take them out of your suitcase? Consider investing a tie case. This luggage component is meant just for ties and as a result maintains a slim profile meant to trap and hold ties flat within its confines. Most cases hold multiple ties and you can find one to accommodate your particular sartorial needs with little difficulty. The best part about a tie case? They seldom take up any more space than the area you already tried to devote to your ties. Tuck one of these in that area and never worry about your ties failing to live up to your suits again.

passport holders

Passport Wallet
A frequent world traveler should accessorize like one. Don’t fumble around for your passport. Instead invest in some version of the passport wallet. These range from a more traditional looking wallet of suitable size for a passport to hard case shells. The idea remains the same though. One of these stores all your vital information for travel and often times things like travelers checks, credit cards, and even tickets. It provides a one stop place to store all of these things without fiddling through multiple pockets to find the right thing. Streamlining things like this is certain to help when having to deal with the usual airport hassles and make airport security happy to see at least one person who has it together.

You know your favorite ways to travel and should take those into consideration whenever you’re planning for your next trip. These ideas might just give you an idea on how to make things go a bit more smoothly the next time you’re about to dash out the door though. OROGOLD hopes your next trip around the world will see you not only looking your best, but showing the world what a savvy traveler you are.

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Weekend in San Francisco

You’re going to see the Golden Gate Bridge. There really is no way to avoid it when you go to San Francisco. If you don’t go or you fail to take pictures, then everyone you know is going to doubt you were ever there. Once you’ve gotten that social obligation out of the way though, you get to explore San Francisco on your own terms. A weekend in San Francisco is a distinctly picturesque way to experience part of California without ever leaving a city. Between the Golden Gate Bridge and famous neighborhoods, it often seem San Francisco was made for pictures. OROGOLD has a few other things to suggest beyond taking pictures of everything though.

Golden Gate Park, San Francisco

Visit Golden Gate Park
California has several large municipal parks and the Golden Gate Park is one of them. While not quite as sprawling as Griffith Park in Los Angeles, Golden Gate Park still encloses a variety of attractions. You can simply tour the park by foot on one of its many trails to get away from the city…or you can visit one of the aforementioned attractions. The De Young Museum will let you sample a bit of art while you’re in the park, but you might prefer the Steinhart Aquarium instead if you’re feeling a bit more zen. Two arboretums are available for you to wander if you want to take in beautiful flowers on a somehow rainy day, but on a clear day you should consider the Japanese Tea Garden. The latter is not only beautiful, but of historical interest as well.

Cable Car in San Francisco

Ride a Cable Car
Cable cars are as much a part of San Francisco as the Golden Gate Bridge itself. These moving antiques remain in excellent condition and offer you a chance to travel through the city at a slower rate to take in the sights. There are several lines that each ensure you’ll get your fair share of the taste of San Francisco. You can easily ride them through some of the more historical areas and hop off to explore when you see a likely candidate. But riding them all the way to the end will give you a true San Francisco experience and let you relax and enjoy the day at the same time. Just keep a tight grip if you’d don’t have a seat. Those hills are steep.

Castro neighborhood, San Francisco.

Andrey Bayda / Shutterstock.com

The Castro
The other thing a visit to San Francisco wouldn’t be complete without is a little bit of pride. This neighborhood is often a must for LGBT travelers, but certainly isn’t restricted to only them. It acts as at once a slice of civil rights history, a colorful enclave, and a great place to find a bite to eat or do a bit of shopping. The area is certainly flavored by its history though and signs of it are everywhere. There’s not guarantee of there always being a parade going on, but you certainly aren’t likely to find anyone bothering with being sedate. No matter why you visit The Castro, you’re sure to come away with a lighter step than you entered thanks to the lively locals.

Like all places in California, San Francisco is an eclectic mix of history and an absolute driving dedication to the here and now. Finding where to enjoy a week is simply a matter of getting in touch with the pulse of the city and seeing where it takes you. OROGOLD recommends talking to friendly locals on your way in or checking with a driver for other places to see. The ones here barely scratch the surface of what all you could do in a couple of days.

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Best CA Beach Towns

California isn’t just sprawling beach-filled cities. It’s also long, ocean-facing cliffs, giant trees, high mountains, and unspeakably hostile deserts. The beaches tend to be what everyone is most interested in. Unfortunately, that tends to means the beaches in all the major cities tend to be filled with both locals and tourists. OROGOLD knows this makes it hard to enjoy the beach and relax. You can avoid this hassle by simply opting to stay away from the larger cities though. Plenty of towns are strewn along the coast itself with their own beaches. Each one combines the beauty of the beach with a pleasant smaller town flair that makes them their own experiences. Here are some of the better beach towns you can find by roaming the California coast.

Pacifica, California

Pacifica
This city is a bit larger than a “town”, but it offers a number of beach options to anyone looking to enjoy the coast. The different beaches can cater to simply swimming and sunning to a particular area that local surfers swear by. Geographically, the area offers more than just the beaches though for those seeking something a bit more active. Bluffs and other areas make it good for hiking. Fishing is also always an option and even encouraged if you’re willing to brave the surf. Nothing is stopping you from roaming the pier though and seeing what the locals are catching that day. It may not be the largest place in California, but Pacifica’s regional flair makes it a nice alternative to the likes of Los Angeles or San Francisco.

Avila, California

Avila
Easily forgotten when competing against major destinations, Avila is actually a hidden gem of California. Its central beach faces south and the geography helps shield it from worse parts of weather. Waves remain a bit calmer and it actually manages to get more sun in the state where it seems like nothing ever escapes the touch of the sun. The town has an interesting history in and of itself and it makes its beach a point of pride as a result. You can readily swim in the waters and, thanks to the cleanliness of them, you’re likely to have friendly visitors as you do. OROGOLD does remind you that wildlife remains wild. It is best not to bother any of the “locals” even if they come nearby.

Bodega Bay, California

Bodega Bay
Bodega Bay is nestled away amidst some of California’s rockier coastline, but don’t let that fool you. The town itself is highly welcoming with a lot of small town flavor. Despite that, they are more than happy to have visitors. Their sheltered beach is ideal for enjoying some quiet time without worrying about whether there are undercurrents in the water that will turn a quick dip into a more strenuous activity than you intended. Surfing, kayaking, and hiking all have a place for visitors to the town thanks to its location. While it welcomes tourists, there is generally plenty of room on the beach and, if not, you can probably find a nice out-of-the-way patch of sand to enjoy even then.

There are even more beach towns in California than the ones we’ve discussed here. Some of the best might even be awaiting discovery by someone with a taste for small town American. The ultimate truth out of all of this is that you don’t need to stick to locations everyone automatically knows when it comes to planning a sun-filled beach getaway. OROGOLD recommends that you try one of these locations instead and enjoying yourself away from the hectic nature of a big city. Take your time and enjoy the piers. Try to pick up a new hobby like surfing or kayaking. These smaller, eclectic destinations may not be major cities, but you can still find people to teach you new ways to enjoy California.

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Globe Trotting Without Leaving California

Chinatown, LA.

The freedom to move around the world and experiences cultures is a prized possession. Sometimes you just don’t feel like getting on a plane for hours on end to experience another country. Fortunately, you can travel the world just within a single city in some parts of the United States. A number of California’s cities are no different in that respect. Everyone knows about the Chinatowns of the United States, and they enjoy an interesting place in American culture as a whole. OROGOLD would like to highlight some lesser known ethnic neighborhoods that you can visit when you’re in California though. Chinatown may not be making this list, but these neighborhoods remain dedicated and vibrant examples at fostering a more international flair in some of California’s cities.

Little Arabia, Anaheim
Little Arabia offers a distinct slice of the Middle East to visitors in a variety of ways. Some buildings offer a visual flair in keeping with the theme of the area, but the real treats are in the stores and restaurants in the area. They focus on providing authentic ethnic cuisine and goods. You can stroll along the street browsing a jewelry store and than pop into a bakery for a snack while you discuss what particular style of Middle Eastern good you’d like to eat with any friends you’re traveling with. Of note to would-be visitors, the area is particularly known for its hookah establishments and the internal variety of them within the area. This kind of flexibility generates a distinctly regional flare even though Little Arabia is ultimately part of the general Los Angeles area.

Belden Place, San Francisco
Europe has an old world charm that is hard to beat and capture without wandering the ancient, narrow streets of some of Europe’s longest standing cities. Belden Place does its best to try to bottle the experience of France into a small area. The focus of the area is on food. Multiple restaurants all compete to offer French cuisine in its many forms from the high cuisine to the simpler fare of the average French person. Restaurants use both their food and their space to create the atmosphere. Many make extensive use of their street facing sidewalks to set up outdoor eating areas to draw on the air of French cafes and the time honored past time of people watching. There may be no ancient buildings around you here, but the spirit of France certainly has a home away from home in the area.

Thai Town, Los Angeles
Thai Town has the distinction of being the only ethnic neighborhood of its kind in the United States, and it isn’t afraid to let everyone know how proud it is of its heritage. Decorative elements are scattered through the area that bring a bit of the visual of Thailand to Los Angeles without entirely overriding the nature of the city itself. Plenty of restaurants exist in the area to satisfy anyone looking to sample the cuisine of the country. The area truly shines in its other venues though. Various stores exist importing authentic clothing and materials from Thailand as well as traditional Thai spas for people who need a bit of relaxation in their day.

Not only does California enjoy a diverse landscape geographically, but it also enjoys it ethnically. The history of the state combined with its many port towns have given the opportunity for various enclaves to spring up and stake their own claim in America. Each area integrates into the cities, but, like every American, they also remain proud of all of their heritage rather than just one part. OROGOLD believes any of these areas will make an interesting step into another culture without ever needing to even leave California.