3 years ago, I spent Christmas holidays in Los Angeles, California, USA. Some of the things I saw back in 2012 were a space shuttle, flowered floats, and of course, Disneyland.
#1 California Science Center
Address: 700 Exposition Park Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90037, United States
The California Science Center opened its doors to present the space shuttle Endeavour the end of October 2012, after being driven in the streets of Los Angeles to its permanent resting place. The exhibit showed a video footage of that day, which I was able to take a photo of. Imagine, a space shuttle going through your neighbourhood!
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I wasn’t super excited to go to the exhibit as compared to the other ongoing Cleopatra one, and I figured out it was because I didn’t know what to expect.
As usual, as I knew more about the Endeavour, the space shuttle launches timeline, as well as reading more of space shuttle launches, I appreciated the exhibit more, once I absorbed that in front of me was an actual space shuttle that was IN OUTER SPACE.
After 3 decades, NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) has ended the space shuttle program due to rising costs and risks (as in to human life). This Kickstarter campaign wanted to show all 134 launches simultaneously in 1 video.
The video from McLean Fahnestock’s Vimeo account. I get goosebumps watching it, do you? On the 2nd Row, Column 10, you could see the sad explosion of the space shuttle Challenger in 1986. Read more at the History Channel’s website.
Grand Finale 2010-11 from McLean Fahnestock on Vimeo.
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For more facts, visit the Discover Los Angeles website. For the rest of my photos of the Endeavour, head on to my Flickr album.
#2 Rose Parade
Address: 2925 E Sierra Madre Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107, United States
I was able to catch the showcase of 2013 Rose Parade floats on the 2nd of January 2013 in Pasadena. It was the 124th Tournament! The weather was still cool at that time, yet very sunny. Very proper to be looking at the floats which must be decorated with natural materials, from plants – living or dead. It doesn’t do the floats justice as looking at them in real life, but I hope you’ll get an idea!
Also know as the Tournament of Roses, the list of winners can be seen here. There’s no entrance fee, just drive down to Sierra Madre and Washington Boulevards in Pasadena.
We saw some food stalls and got some American fair food. I looove Kettle Corn!
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For more awesome photos and commentaries on the floats, visit Mary’s blog at The World is a Book!
#3 Disneyland
Address: 313 Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802, United States
Of course, USA means Disneyland! It’s been years since I last went and I wished I could’ve visited another theme park at that time but it was fun going with my siblings! Disneyland still gives off a magical feeling, and feels nostalgic to see familiar and classic faces (I’m talking about Beauty and the Beast, Mickey, Minnie, Darth Vader, etc. LOL).
The rest of the photos can be seen here at Flickr.
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So 3 years ago, in 2012, I celebrated the holiday season in California, USA.
This year, by the Northern shores of Germany; let’s see what that brings! I’ll be sure to share photos.
Where will you spend your holidays?
Merry Christmas everyone! 🙂
A Blog of Threes 
I’m so glad you had a wonderful visit here. Looks like a return trip is on order. We’re missing the Rose Parade float viewing this year. We feel lucky enough to live here but I’m also jealous of all the German Christmas markets you get to visit. 🙂 Thanks for the link-up!
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Hi Mary! I missed California immediately when I got back from that trip 🙂 before that, it was more than 10 years since my last US visit. One day you should make a Christmas holiday trip here, and stuff yourselves with mulled wine, roasted nuts, sausages, cheese, and all the other goodies! I love your blog,
I admire your dedication to your blog, and your photos are amazing 🙂 See you around, thanks for the tweet as well!
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