Team Dallas True Blood Paleyfest Travelogue: Part one by ObjectDesire

Los Angeles Paleyfest Travelogue: Part one by ObjectDesire

A story in which we meet many friends from around the country and discover that Dallas has fairy blood.

Travelers in our party include LovingTrueBloodinDallas (Dallas), ObjectDesire (OD), and Nocturnalinnc (Noct)

Day 1 Agenda: Pink's, Griffith Observatory, Galanga Thai Restaurant, and NoHo Theatre for Bram Stoker's "Dracula" (TB Dallas Fan Meet-up #1)

We all arrive at separate times but arrange to meet at airport

Dallas surprises us by wheeling in to scoop us up in a bright, shiny blue convertible.

Pink's: We put the top down and head straight to Pink's hot dogs on LaBrea Blvd for a world famous hotdog. We are fortunate to find a parking spot just one block away. We discover we have only 4 quarters between us, but to our shock this gives us only 1 hour. Dallas searches her purse and finds a handful of dimes which gives us...1 hour 56 minutes. Off we march to stand on line for our hotdogs. The line snakes around the building but we enjoy the camaraderie of our fellow patrons and people watching. One man shows up to stand near the line with a large gray parrot. After about an hour we reach the front of the line. Dallas orders a spicy Chicago Dog, Noct orders a chili cheese dog, and OD orders a bacon chili cheese dog. We all have an Orange Crush with our meal. It is a beautiful day and we score a table on the patio. Beside us, in the parking lot, a man plays his trumpet as entertainment. Noct and OD begin to fret about the time and our belongings left in the car. Dallas says wait and leaves us guarding her food. She returns with the car and pulls into a space that magically appears in the parking lot (those of you who have visited Pink's know how miraculous this really is). First the empty patio table, then a parking spot! Noct and OD begin to get suspicious that Dallas knows magic spells.

Griffith Observatory: The drive up the mountain is spectacular. Beautiful views of Los Angeles are afforded at every curve. Unfortunately, the Observatory itself is closed for a special event (we never learn which event specifically).

By now, we are getting a bit short on time, and head to check into our hotel. Hotel Le Petit, (more here )turns out to be small, lovely European style boutique hotel. OD still wonders what candles were burning in the lobby--they smelled wonderfully exotic. Our suite has a sunken living room with a fireplace and a small "eat-in" kitchen, in addition to the bedroom area. We have 2 flat screen televisions (which we never turn on!). The towels are soft, thick bath sheets (I can just see Dallas rolling her eyes now--she doesn't care about the towels). But Dallas's hotel picking magic holds and this one is a winner.

We freshen up, change clothes, and are joined by the lovely Robiart, a local girl, who was so instrumental in helping Dallas find restaurants and meet-up spots for this trip.

Galanga Thai Restaurant: We learned of this delightful restaurant after TrueBlood actor, Patrick Gallagher ("Chow"), chooses this spot for an interview ( See his interview here). OD's daughter, Molly, and niece, Sara, meet us at the restaurant for dinner. Delicious food is consumed: Thai lettuce wraps, curry dishes, garlic shrimp (ordered by OD, of course). This restaurant should be added to everyone's "Must Visit" list.

NoHo Theatre: Traffic is surprisingly light (Dallas? Magic?). Our trip takes only 28 minutes and we have time to walk next door to Starbucks for coffee. At the theatre, we are joined by another local fan of Dallas' blog, the sweet and lovely IYOUWANT2. The play, Bram Stoker's Dracula, is excellent with creative staging (and we get to see Dracula's naked behind--a bit gratuitous, but gorgeous nonetheless :-)

Back at our hotel, we end the evening with Ms. Robiart, laughing and dissecting TrueBlood and Sookie Stackhouse books (Eric? Bill? Vampwich? What will happen in Book 9?). Make plans to meet Ms. Robiart on Saturday evening, then fall into bed and sleep soundly.( OD goes right to sleep Dallas and Noct stay up much later :))