Area- North Central L.A. The expressways to the south are slow during the day.

Neighbourhood - Lincoln Heights - century old single family detatched homes with steel fences. Ethnic population, older, friendly, welcoming. At night the streets are dark, quiet and perfectly safe. It takes a while to find a parking spot late at night.

The Lot - 430 Clifton is on a hillside so steep this prairie boy would not build a birds nest there. There is no evidence of landslides obliterating the city below in the last century. Statistically safe for a vacation. Permanent residents should wear a hard hat and a parachute. 35 steps up from the street to the door, 40 more steps up to the hot tub.

The House - spacious, clean, simple, and welcoming. Dr. Merin's minimalist decor is ideal for tourists. The foundation and frame appear solid. Drainage is not an issue. Electricity, gas, water pressure and hot water are in good supply. The house faces west and has windows on three sides to provide a good cross draft. The second bedroom has no window. The floors should be swept because it is easy to track in sand. Dr. Marin lives in the apartment above on the second floor, but he is usually not at home.

The Kitchen- well equiped, with a new fridge, stove, microwave, sink and faucet. The gas stove boils the kettle in minutes. Make sure each gas burner ignites when you turn it on. The fume hood blows smoke from the stove directly into the smoke detector. Rotate the smoke detector 1/2 turn clockwise in the base that is attached to the ceiling, and pull it down out of the base a few inches. The romex cable that powers the detector is attached to a small white plug in the center of the detector. Pull the plug out of the detector and cook in peace.

Dr. Marin allowed us to use his excellent laundry machines.

Landscaping- The hot tub has an excellent view across L.A., and the house above, on the rear lot line, has an even better view into the hot tub. The owner, Walter, will call the police if you try skinny dipping while his grand children are there.
The yard is secured by a locked steel gate at the street, concrete retaining walls, and steel fences, and by Walter's Doberman at the rear.
The slope is terraced, covered with many cactus and semi tropical plants. There are lemon and orange trees, and Dr. Marin has planted 30 tomato plants, which in Toronto would produce 20 bushels of tomatoes this summer.

The Host- Noah Merin- was welcoming, accommodating, and helpful when we had problems. He was not home much, and he never interferred with our activities.

Overall- a delightful place to spend a vacation.