Andean

As if the plane from Lima had barely touched down, the black and white and fuzzy llama (yes, LLAMA, as in como se...?/rhymes with Obama/let's hope this isn't your baby's mama...) that I encountered on Manhattan Beach's strand (yes, STRAND, as in the beach--California's) was cruising on foot, as quadrupeds are prone to, like he may (or may not) just be a spoof on an overgrown mastiff (typically that's an oxymoron) out for an afternoon stroll, same as it ever was, as if it ever was.  This llama made a Becker's custom long board look insignificant.  He was frisky too.  Granted, there were several ladies flanking his flanks for pics, but he had definite hop in his step--which, perpetuates my theory that he was fresh off the plane (cramped legs and stale air (no doubt he got a deal on Taca which compounds cramped and stale to = immobilizing and suffocating (read: no peanuts for you)), so he needed a good stretch and some fresh beachy air).  Ah-ha...which, leads directly into, of course, the question of the day, what was this llama actually doing on the strand?  This, dear reader, I cannot begin to answer.  Let's start with was I not completely chuffed and then some to make his Alpacan acquaintance?  Most definitely.  Do I think he was "allowed" to be there?  Most definitely not.  Therefore, do I think he will be spotted again?  Most definitely unlikely.

My conclusion of his illicit presence is drawn based largely on the fact that his owner looked south of sane.  How do I know she was his owner?  Well, she was the one leading him down the strand by the rope around his neck and she was wearing a llama t-shirt (and at least one of them smelled a lot like llama).  LA County municipal code 10.28.020  says that one must have a license to keep a wild animal.  Gonna go out on a pretty sturdy limb and call a llama "wild" for all intents and purposes re/ LA municipality.  I'm an animal lover at heart, so I wasn't gonna be the jerk to demand to see this guy's papers, so I can neither confirm nor deny his civilian legitimacy.  I will add that the code goes on into a section titled "Running at large prohibited--Exceptions".  This seems both deliberately vague and remarkably intriguing.  For the sake of this blog I'm gonna throw the strand llama into the "exceptions" category.  He was, after all, so cute, and looks can get you very far in LA.

The question that should still be on your mind is why this blog isn't sporting a sporty pic of said llama.  For all you know, I'm full of llama s*it.  Well, dear reader, the proof in my blog pudding shouldn't surprise you: If I can miss a blimp, the llama was probably off my radar too.

Life sometimes can be Andean.
Andean: –adjective

  of or like the Andes