www.luisjrodriguez.com
I'm Luis J. Rodriguez, the author of Always Running: La Vida Loca, Gang Days in L.A. and several other books in short fiction, children's literature, nonfiction, and poetry. On my web log I'll be posting all the latest news concerning my work as a writer, along with news and opinions on the many political, social, spiritual and cultural activities that I find interesting.
Luis J. Rodriguez | November 28, 2006
My visit to Japan ended too soon. On the last night, I had a wonderful dinner with many of my new friends at the Bird Cafe, hosted by Nobuyuki Kamara, the cafe’s owner and a great cook. I also met Ray Sandoval, a Chicano/Japanese guitarist orginally from Tucson, Arizona, who has been in Japan studying. [...]
Luis J. Rodriguez | November 23, 2006
I am getting close to ending my amazing trip to Japan — two more days and I’m gone. And, as you can imagine, part of me is already feeling the sadness of departing.
I’m staying in an intense and lively neighborhood called Shinjuku. I’ve walked around this area and enjoyed some amazing Japanese restaurants. Besides my [...]
Luis J. Rodriguez | November 20, 2006
Tokyo is the world’s largest city. It’s intense. I got a chance to visit Shibuya, the “Times Square” of Tokyo. At night the place blazes with lights. There are people everywhere. Amazing traditional Japanese restaurants can be found anywhere (of course, Wendy’s and Starbucks abound as well).
The people are orderly, polite, and respectful. They are [...]
Luis J. Rodriguez | November 19, 2006
I landed in Tokyo on Saturday, November 18, after a 13-hour flight from Chicago. I’m here to investigate an amazing Japanese connection to LA Chicano culture (including music, particularly from East LA, lowrider cars, cholo style clothing, and more).
This will be part of a reporting piece I’m doing for a major west coast publication. I’m [...]
Luis J. Rodriguez | November 16, 2006
Reston, Virginia is like many Washington DC-area communities. It has many immigrants from around the world who’ve come here for a better life, to work, to provide for their families, many of whom are still in their countries of origin. I’m in Reston at the invitation of my friend Leila Gordon of the Reston Community [...]
Luis J. Rodriguez | November 5, 2006
There is much in New Orleans that needs to be fixed – much in the lack of trust in this government, in official help, in the forgetfulness that tends to mar most tragedies. But here people can’t and won’t forget last year’s Katrina hurricane (much of the devastated areas are still in need of repair). [...]
