First off, I’ve never had to deal with anything like what is explained in this story so I’m fairly intrigued to say the least, can I just ask a question?

Why was it unsafe to get a ride with a police officer? I would have jumped at the chance, this really confuses me!

Ryan.

I am reading all your old posts and just read this one. I worked at the Dog Psychology Center of Los Angeles with Cesar Millan for nearly 4 years. It was on 61st street between Gage and Slauson just off the 110 Freeway …. not too far from USC and that whole area with the museums.

I remember when I first started driving to work I felt a bit out of place and a little unsafe with the characters on the streets. I would drive around running errands in the area and would often realize that most days I would come home thinking I was the only white chick I had seen all day. I never had an incident but it was always the middle of the day. And, while I was at work I usually had 30 – 50 dogs out in the yard so no one was gonna even try to come in and mess with us. After a few months I just realized these were basically neighborhoods with people living in houses and apartments, getting their kids to school and trying to make a living.

After a few years things neighborhood changed with better markets and a Starbucks and a Quiznos and stores like that. Old buildings have been torn down but it is still pretty industrial. I don’t think I would go walking the streets in that area on a Saturday night but all in all it was a good experience and opened my eyes a bit.

Gayle

I had taken a 2-week trip to Ireland with a couple friends and we had an overnight layover in Newark, NJ on the way back to Florida. Since I had never been to NY City (and since I can’t just sit in a hotel room when I’m somewhere I’ve never been), I decided we would take a train to the city for the night/early morning and get back to the room in just enough time to freshen up for our early morning flight. My friend bought tickets to a Yankees/Red Sox game since it was the last year of the old stadium and we spent the time leading up to the game just wandering around the city. We eventually jumped on the subway so we could make the nightgame in time, and that’s when the fun started…

When we bought our ticket, I asked the gentleman at the station what stop we needed for the stadium. He gladly told me and we went on our way, sharing the car with others dressed in Yankees apparel. We came to the stop suggested by our generous subway guide, but paid no attention to the fact that NOBODY else in gameday gear exited with us. Turns out our guide had directed us to the southside of Harlem, but we did not know it at the time. No big deal for me. It was, however, a little awkward for my friend, who was truly dressed the part of a cowboy (tight jeans, boots, big belt buckle, and hat). Why dress like this on a trip? I don’t know, but the ladies in Ireland apparently loved it. Needless to say, his attire garnered much attention and many serious, intense stares. He even had people coming out of buildings to just watch us as we walked by. I figured it was just sideshow-esque curiosity, but it really started to freak him out. To make a long story less long, we found a fire station and asked for directions to the stadium. The firemen asked us what we were doing there, then gave us the long way around since we were walking and it was already getting dark. We made it to the game no worse for the wear (except the fact that I was wearing Red Sox colors in Yankee Stadium), and had an interesting story to share with friends and family when we got back.

Sorry this turned out to be so long, but reading about your experience definitely brought back memories. I look forward to reading more of your material. I’ve got a lot of catching up to do!

-Chris