Silverlake, I love you

Two days ago I was at my favorite Chinese Food Express and made a complaint about the Mushroom Chicken I had eaten a couple of days before. "One" (I am not sure that is the way to spell her name), who is a very nice Thai lady asked me if it was bitter and explained that at time of the year that happened to the mushrooms sometimes. When I was to pay, "One" gave me a discount for that. I did try not to accept the treat but she would not change her mind. Whenever "One" sees me with grocery bags she asks me if I have coupons and gets really mad at me when I tell her I don't collect those. "I will give you next time" - she says. This is only one of the many examples why I like Silverlake so much. I am very happy to live in a place where I really feel the sense of community with all the diversity; social, cultural and economical. I love going to the "Coffee Table" and just relax, eat a delicious pie and see all the alternative people and "intellectuals" debating, reading, writing... I also love the lake, which is not really silver and definitely not really a lake, it is more like a dam. There is no better feeling of freedom than ride my scooter home on Friday after work through Silverlake Boulevard with the sunset on my back, checking the coffee shops full of people, then going uphill and taking a peak at the lovely Dog Park. That is so amusing! I always thought that Dogs in USA are more polite than in Brasil. In Brasil we have to have our dogs in leashes and very well guarded when going out otherwise they would fight with other dogs... All the green areas and the bumpy little streets with the old houses on the hills of Silverlake with wonderful views of Los Angeles make it unique and glamorous. Everything is in perfect harmony, the little shops, the bars, the 1930's Barber shop. It altogether builds a small town atmosphere. I can't wait for annual Sunset Junction Festival, when one can see the essence of that community. It's a beautiful celebration of diversity, art and culture. I love Silverlake and I am proud to be a resident.