I'm embarrassed that I haven't reported back before this. My excuse is that I'm still fighting off jet-lag and a certain amount of anxiety about what's happening back home with my girlie, and the handful of neurons that haven't gone out on strike are grappling with acclimatising to all the new stuff around me.
First, LA was lots of fun, but I have to admit I didn't take full advantage of my three days/two nights (except for the hotel room bed; I took full advantage of that because I was practically unconscious much of the time, lol!)
I tried to connect with Sassy, spoke with her once on the phone but wasn't able to catch up witih her. That was a disappointment, but I know she's facing a very difficult time. I wish her well.
Sunday, arrival day, I had very fine plans to see the Getty Centre and spend the afternoon down at Venice Beach and walking around. Didn't happen. I went for a brief walk around downtown to purchase a cheap cellphone for use during the next 6 weeks, then went back to the hotel room and toppled over. Barely woke up for dinner.
Monday, was up early because Meryl and C_G and their little boy (he's just so gorgeous!) had offered to spend some time doing touristy things. It was really great to meet them - they're lovely young people, hospitable and welcoming and I enjoyed the conversation and getting to know them a little.
We wandered around Olvera Street and the mission district (where I bought souvenirs for the kids), had lunch at Philippe's (the original French dipped sandwich was delicious) and then meandered through China town.
Their young son was such a trooper through all this; he's only 5 and all that walking must have exhausted him but he didn't complain at all. When his little legs finally gave out, C_G carried him around, but even then, he was bright and sweet.
Thank you C-G and Meryl! It was really a lovely experience. I loved meeting you and getting to know a little of your lives and you helped me to overcome some of my timidity in venturing out into a strange city.
With my new-found courage, I decided to do some exploring on my own. Consulted my handy-dandy google map and decided the easiest areas to access by public transit were on Hollywood Boulevard - and besides that, I don't think I'd ever live it down if I reported back home that I'd been in LA but skipped Hollywood altogether.
So I took the train to the centre of the action, stepped out onto Hollywood Boulevard and walked the entire strip (and a little beyond, where it's all residential and surprisingly empty of people). I walked and walked, purchased an LAPD t-shirt for my son (he's a fan) and got back to the hotel as the sun went down. Managed to eat without falling asleep on the plate.
Next day, took in MOCA and wandered around downtown some more - Walt Disney Concert Hall is a beautiful building - before taking off for the airport. As I flew out, I felt I hadn't done LA justice; was just too wiped out to be systematic and scheduled.
Landed in SF just after 6 in the evening and discovered BART is amazingly efficient! Took the train to North Berkeley, where Teremia picked me up and took me home for a home-cooked meal - heavenly! She has a lovely family (as many of you know) - three beautiful girls - and I got to stay in the guest suite with my very own sauna! LOL!
It feels so comfortable here - homely and easy. There's even a pup - Zushka, a 7 month border collie who has helped me feel at home without my Pixel doggie.
Yesterday, I accompanied Teremia to Berkely Marina to walk the dog and that was a terrific introduction to the beauty around SF. The Marina is a wide expanse of green, not manicured but left comfortably wild, with panoramic views of the bay and the hills. I felt I could breathe out there. Just beautiful.
Got home just in time for Narya's arrival. We drove down to Fisherman's Wharf and set off on bicycles (I borrowed her daughter's) along the bay cycling route, over the Golden Gate Bridge, along the Marin coast to Sausalito, where we wandered through the galleries and ate a very late lunch. We barely made the ferry (were much taken up with the photographic exhibition of Rodney Lough). Back in SF, we bought some gourmet tidbits in the food hall at Pier 19 and drove back (in peak hour traffic) to Berkeley. Was a lovely day - perfect weather, peerless company.
Thank you Narya!
Not sure I was entirely with it all day, though; my eyes keep closing of their own accord.
Today, I had plans to head into SF first thing in the morning and visit some galleries, but jetlag caught up and I slept through my alarm.
Thank goodness for Teremia!
I'd still be sleeping, I think, if I hadn't heard her knock on the door.
Jetlag is odd; I'm completely exhausted - eyes feel like they've been sand-blasted - but I can't sleep. The clock seems to have no meaning; I'm up until 3 am, finally fall asleep, drag my body out of bed at 7 am and have narcoleptic episodes throughout the day. It's all playing havoc with my appetite too.
So, now I really will head off to SF, then take BART back toward Richmond to meet Olga after work.
It's very exciting!
A reflection: I'm quite shy and reserved generally, an introvert as well, and I wondered how I'd cope with meeting new people and new situations. So far, the people have been so lovely! My nervousness evaporates. I feel so grateful for the generosity of spirit I've met with.
So...onward and upward.