As always, the Vietnamese liquor store at the intersection of Carson and Moneta Streets is filled with gambling aficionados. Not that what they are doing is illegal, considering that it is sanctioned by the state government of California. What is surprising is that the business activity doesn’t seem to wane. Old folks, mostly war veterans who lived in a nearby compound, frequent the liquor store for find their luck in the lottery games. The couple, Rosita and Kevin, in their 80s don’t want to miss the regular draw of Daily 3, which is done before twelve noon and again at around six p.m. The couple is just among the fortune seekers who make it their past time to put their bets on a daily basis. After all, they could care less because they get a regular monthly pension from the state government. To them, staying here is much better compared to somewhere else. But would Carson be such a wonderful place for most people.
Everything is within walking distance: seafood markets, Asian restaurants and stores, parlors, department stores, drug stores, schools, banks and remittance centers. And so with other business establishments, for that matter. Although, housing is already tight and expensive, apartments at affordable rental prices are still available. It’s only a question of where your choice and preference are.
For most people, Carson is a busy place where the beehive of business activities is a common sight. Notice that almost all parking spaces are full comes weekends as a lot of shoppers come to savor stuffs that are special to their tastes. Even if you’re just whiling away your time, coming to Carson is actually a serendipity because you’ll have a chance to stumble on things that may look unfamiliar and unique to your senses. When the urge to recharge your batteries after a weekdays’ work, just drop by and share your time with others who may want to reciprocate you with unexpected inspiration. Alone, the variety of things and colors, races and shapes and sizes all the more lend to Carson’s credibility as a haven that needs further exploration.