THE HELLISH PARADISE THAT IS LOS ANGELES

摘要

Los Angeles defies easy description. At times, it can be the ugliest place imaginable: Through the yellow-brown haze, one street crossing resembles the next—three gas stations and a strip mall, repeated as far as the eye can see. At other times, especially after a cleansing winter rain, L. A. makes good on all its hyped promise: Zip along its freeways, and behold a glistening jewel fringed with swaying palm trees and snow-capped peaks.