I have had the great fortune of traveling much of our great country, mostly in the past 5 years or so. I've met a lot of great people, seen some wonderful things, and have also seen a surprising amount of duplication. City names are seemingly as interchangeable as a socket set and that is what is so intriguing about travel; two identical place names might be as different in their theme and feel as night and day. I love that diversity and it creates a lot of opportunity to just sit back and observe. One of the most prolific examples of this is the huge culture gap that exists between the three LA's I've had the chance to visit. Two may be obvious, the first being the original: Tinsel Town, La La Land, you know, Los Angeles. The second is the state of Louisiana, having a complete culture unto itself with its French and Cajun influences unique to the region. The third LA, less commonly known to many outside the area, is Lower Alabama, or the Florida panhandle to those unfamiliar with the first description I used. Each LA has its own trends, sets its own rules to some extent, and has residents who unabashedly embrace these very ideals. I wanted to visit on each briefly, in search of some sort of cultural thread that warrants each being worthy of the title 'LA'.  Los Angeles is of course what it is. Hundreds of miles of freeway, ridiculous traffic, smog, all the stereotypes do somewhat fit. It also has an understated mellow flavor that just exudes California when you get off the beaten path. That is the Los Angeles I recommend, with all the people watching value one could ever expect from even a short weekend trip. The people are different, laid back in a cosmopolitan kind of way, and just the most unique melting pot of culture, ink, and piercings you'll probably ever see. Plus, the weather is nice so there you go. LA number 1. LA #2 is Louisiana. It features a culture that is hard to describe but that certainly goes beyond the general revelry that people associate with Mardi Gras. Consider Louisiana for what it is, a Roman Catholic outpost amidst the predominantly Protestant deep south and you'll start to get a slight feel for the region. Fiercely proud of their heritage and producers of some of the world's best cuisine, the natives have a true flavor all to themselves and it is definitely worth the trip. Last, we have the Lower Alabama 'LA'. A unique mix of US Military personnel and proud southerners, this region is self-described as Lower Alabama by virtue of both proximity and perhaps as an intentional detachment from the more urban and externally influenced southern parts of the state of Florida. True to form, the architecture, climate, and attitude of the locals all reflect the southern heritage, thus making the Florida panhandle hard to distinguish as actually being Florida instead of one of its northern neighbors. Oh, and by the way, the panhandle of Florida has far and away the most beautiful beaches in the state and not near the snowbird presence in the touristy times of year so it is very much worth the trip. Comparatively inaccessible, featuring small regional airports, Lower Alabama is a hidden gem and has a lot to offer. So, the next time someone you meet introduces themselves as being from LA, take the time to ask "Which one?" If nothing else, you'll get a smile in return and probably learn more about that person too. We lead pretty sheltered lives America, even considering how easy it is to communicate with one another, so take the time, make the effort, and we may actually know one another better than before. Just an urbanized country boy's two cents worth and until next time..