LA Summer Homecoming
Photography by Fanny Chu. See the full gallery here.
Hi friends,
It feels like an eternity since I have last written. Only a few weeks ago, it was grey and rainy in Paris. My roommates and I were still struggling to replace our induction hob (stove) and the city had begun to empty out for the summer. Though it wasn’t until the end of 2021 that I actually decided to make my move to Paris, I, like so many Americans, dreamed of escaping to Europe for the summer.
For the beginning of my first summer in Paris, the fall-like weather in July isn’t exactly what I had in mind but then again I’d rather layer on a sweater than sweat in the heat.
For the most part, I don’t get particularly homesick; nevertheless, I was very much looking forward to catching up with my friends back home and binge eating at my favorite local restaurants.
Ten plus hours of travel, two flights, and one layover later, I finally arrived back in sunny Los Angeles. As cliche as it might be, my first meal off the plane was In-n-Out.
Upon settling back into my parents’ home, I felt like I had time traveled. The smell of the sea, the photos of my childhood friends, and the stash of clothes that I had left behind were all reminders of my past life, a different version of myself. The sound of my dog, Vanilla, snoring downstairs and my dad cooking Japanese food were all warm reminders that I was finally home.
In total, I had about two weeks of vacation to spend with friends and family in LA. The following days were a revolving door of lunch and dinner dates with friends. From catching up with my dear friend Kristen on the shores of Newport Beach to playing pickleball with my friends Sally and Ivy in Huntington Beach, I spent as much time as possible doing all of the things Southern Californians do when the weather is warm and the days are long.
Here are a few of the highlights:
Food:
Furaibo: My favorite childhood Japanese restaurant. Specializing in Teba-Saki fried chicken wings and other delicious Japanese dishes, this restaurant forever has my heart.
Hof’s Hut: Peach pie season is my family’s cherished tradition. My parents will take several trips to our local Hoff’s Hut in search of peach pies since they tend to sell out quickly in the summer.
Little Toyko: One of the best spots in LA to find authentic Japanese food. Serving everything from fresh mochi to udon, there is something for everyone in this little corner of downtown LA.
Din Tai Fung: An international favorite for a reason. I’m obsessed with their soupy dumplings and garlic veggies.
Nook Coffee Bar: One of the best matcha lattes I’ve had in LA and they also carry fresh, delicious pastries.
Fatto a Mano, The Pasta Shop: Be warned before you enter this restaurant that it is not your typical Italian American restaurant. Far from it. Serving up authentic Italian dishes as husband and wife, the owners are passionate about not only their food but the traceability fo their ingredients.
Activities:
Collecting seashells in Newport Beach: Parking might be a pain especially in peak season, but nothing beats lounging on the sands of Newport beach.
Pickleball in Huntington Beach: I’m not particularly athletic but I’m obsessed with pickleball. As a hybrid between tennis and ping-pong, pickleball is the perfect sport outdoor summer sport.
Thrifting at Uptown Cheapskate: If you’re looking for secondhand clothes with a good value, Uptown Cheapskate has a great selection. They don’t carry as many high-end brands as other thrift store chains but you can occasionally find a few gems.
Nisei Week in Little Tokyo: For this summer’s family day, we went to Little Tokyo to celebrate Nisei Week. Nisei, meaning second-generation Japanese American, Week is a time to celebrate Japanese culture, remember the struggles of the generation before us, and rejoice in the continuation of our cultural traditions. As I get older, I’ve started to really immerse myself more in my family’s heritage.
As always, thank you so much for reading! Whether you are traveling to far away places or enjoying a peaceful staycation, I hope this summer is treating you well. These next few weeks, I will be preoccupied with submitting my thesis, job applications, and with any luck, finally editing some of the vlogs I’ve been shooting this past year. I know by reading newsletters, you can only get a small glimpse of my life in Paris so I’d love to start sharing some vlogs soon!
À bientôt,
Kiana