The smell is the first thing I noticed. The minute I stepped
off of the cramped DC-9, I could feel the warmth and humidity in my lungs. It
was a warm reprieve from the cold, bitter winds of the north, and a much
deserved vacation that awaited me beyond the Delta terminal and baggage claim
of the San Diego airport. I felt elation, excitement, exhaustion, and
trepidation, but the only thing I wanted to feel was the warm California sun on
my pale skin.
I wanted to write a paragraph that sounded really “deep,”
because I’ve been doing that lately, but I took a break after writing the first
two sentences to make dinner for my family and I kind of forgot where I wanted
to go with it. Right now I’m in the living room, sitting around the fire with
my aunt, uncle Tex, two cousins, and a non-member of the family (my cousin’s
bf), having just eaten a large plate of homemade bruschetta, and waiting for the
main course—roasted chicken and yams—to be done.
So far today we’ve gone out for lunch at a beautiful
restaurant with a deck that had a striking view of the ocean between two
seaside motels. There was no sun today, and the wind had a bit of a bite to it,
but compared to home, it was balmy and moist. After eating we strolled along
the Pacific Beach walkway and pier during which I saw everything you see below.
I didn’t post every picture I took because there are things you can look up and
see on the internet, like the ocean, and people. That, said, there will
probably be at least one picture of me and
the ocean, I haven’t decided yet. And, although you won’t understand the
time difference here, I’m going to put the computer down for a while and pay
attention to this conversation, and enjoy an evening in with my fam.
It’s morning, and adjusting for the time zone, I’m up pretty
late. But here it’s just after seven, and I’m all alone in the living room. Not
true, their dog, Rocky is with me. He’s about the same age as Willie.
Last night I slept like a rock, except for a few times I
woke up to the gentle sound of rain dancing on the roof. When I stepped out
into the night air at some unknown time in the middle of the night to use the
bathroom next door, I realized that there was not any rain at all; it was just
the fingers of the palm fronds tapping their sleepy melody for me so I could
rest well.
I should note that I’m sleeping in my aunt’s office which
has been set up as a temporary bedroom for me. It is detached from the main
house, but connected by a garage, and accessible by way of the back yard by
going around the pool. There is also what I think is called a pool house that serves
as my bathroom.
So, that said, here are some pictures that I’ve taken thus
far. There will be much more to come, but I think I’ll probably wait until I
get back to write it all out. So, Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Happy
Kwanza, and everything else that we as humans celebrate this time of year; May
you be safe, happy, and loved.
This here's a mobile barber, on the beach. A novel idea, I thought.
Just a cool shot of some birds hanging out.
I like this because of the palm tree in the background. It's a lot more Christmassy in California than I thought it might be.
My cousin Hannah, daughter of Tex, riding a pelican.
Clearly, I ate the mussels.
This is the boardwalk of the Crystal pier at Pacific Beach. These little cabins can be rented out, and famous names such as Jon Belushi and Robin Williams have sewn their wild oats here (done a bunch of drugs discreetly).
There are a lot more pictures, and a lot more adventure for me to write about. Stay tuned.
