Venice Beach

VENICE BEACH photo essay by | Erika Almanza

12 | Collegian Times |

toP row, Left to right: bottom row, Left to right:

I THINK EVERYBODY GOES to the beach to find peace.

However, I am not sure what I expected to find once I got to Venice Beach. I have heard that Venice is a place for freaks, and maybe it’s because of all the performers who make a living there.

As soon as I arrived, I saw a group of people playing music and dancing on the sand.

I stood there and listened.

One of the men with the group approached me and told me there wasn’t a set number of musicians in the group. Instead, different people would come

in and join them at any point in their performance.

They performed for people like me, he said, for people seeking inner peace. I immediately felt better and looked around the beach for the others looking for happiness like I was.

Then, I saw the freaks. I saw the bearded lady first. She commanded attention in a big and beautiful green dress, which she accessorized with neon green eyelashes. She embodied peace and tranquility.

“Bubble Boy” Bob Heslip – one of the men who worked at the Freak Show – told me he finally felt at home. Because of his skin condition, people usually

avoid touching him and the things he touches, but at the Freak Show he has a place to live and work.

The “Amazing Ali” is gorgeous and so full of life.

She allowed me to photograph her many times.

They all made me feel welcome.

From the outside looking in, Venice Beach is a place for freaks. But we all have a little freak inside, and that is why we go there. At Venice Beach we are one big family – free of judgment.

Between the freaks, the musicians and the vendors, visitors are sure to find themselves entertained. Venice Beach is a place of full wonder. ¶

| Collegian Times | 13