Tuesday 19 January 2010

Christmas in the US Part 2: Monterey Bay

A cup of tea and we're on the road! Well, we're on our way to the car hire place to get me put on as an additional driver ... this experience reminds us of what really annoys us about each other - it's nice to be back together.

On the road again and we miss our first big turn! Not to worry, we're in Santa Monica and I could lead us out of this blindfolded ... on the road again ... we paused in Santa Barbara for lunch. It's late and we've got a lot of driving ahead of us! Back on Highway 1, then the back of 101 and before you know it we're driving through Salinas before arriving in Monterey. I'm excited because we're staying in a hotel (accommodation without bunk beds is a treat for me!) and we're right in the Old Town, just off the main drag down to the bay.

The following morning we discover one of the best cafes we've ever eaten in (Wild Plum). Finally everyone agrees that the long drive was worth being able to wake up in Monterey. The weather's looking dodgy so first point of call is Macy's for some sensible shoes, but alas there's none to be had (or I'm too picky). Then we start our self guided walking tour of Monterey Historic State Park. Lucky I bought Mum & Dad a Lonely Planet on California because state budget cuts mean that most of the places on our route (including the one where you get the map) are closed because there's no funding. I'm quite surprised at how appalled I am - California, what has become of thee since I left you?! Nevertheless, we continue on Lizzie's guided tour of Historic Monterey, pausing midway for bad coffee.



We get bored of walking so we hop back in the car and head down to Cannery Row. It's touristy, but there are hidden gems - the workers huts, the Wing Chong grocery store, 'Doc' Ricketts memorial. We have lunch in one of the old canneries and subsequently get soaked in the pouring rain so we call it quits and finish the afternoon with a drive, a read and happy-hour of course.
Dinner is my treat and we go to Passionfish which is wonderful. Even more wonderful because the wine is at cost price so we get an amazing bottle for $20! The food lives up to the reputation and we're lucky that it's a Monday night so it's not too crowded and noisy.

Morning brings out the sun and shows off the flame-leafed tree in our courtyard - what a farewell. Then it's off to 17 mile drive, Pebble Beach, the Lone Cypress and down to Carmel. Another average coffee, followed by a bit of shopping, nosing at the weirdly quaint houses and then ... yep, it's on the road again!

Monday 18 January 2010

Christmas in the US Part 1: Fa LA LA LA LA ...

I land, I'm collected from the airport and it's like I've never left. I manage to stay awake until Ande gets home. I get in trouble for not keeping my eyes open during a fascinating film which I can't remember the name of. The kids lets my go have a nap while he eats dinner.

Mike collects me and we head to Venice for a great dinner with Stuart and Bianca. It's the same every time - we eat and drink too much, we talk constantly, Stuart drills me on what I'm doing with my life, Stuart picks on Mike, we get excited about being asked for ID, we talk and talk and talk until we're sober enough to drive home. This visit's poison was Chianti and 'killer garlic rolls' - they were amazing.

The wine knocks me out so I have a great night's sleep. Friday morning sees Jackie & I heading to PS#1 for Ande's Christmas Concert. For the first time ever I understand why people think it's strange to have a warm Christmas ... I've obviously been away long enough now! We stretch our necks for a better view, we shield ourselves from the sun, we wave proudly, we point and laugh at the embarrassing parents - it's a new world for me and I love it!

Ande has the afternoon of school so we go for a lunch date. I just about manage to convince him that a lunch date doesn't necessarily mean that we're dating. We sit in the next booth to Jackie and her lunch companions and then we take ourselves shopping - straight to Puzzle Zoo, then the Apple store and finally Barnes & Noble.

Siggy has to work so the three of us meet him for dinner and then head home to talk and talk and talk while the kid sleeps.

Saturday morning brings a visit to the Farmers Market and a solid session of gingerbread house decorating - a first for all of us. We then head for a pedicure and then to Santa Monica Pier for Kooza - the latest from Cirque du Soleil. It's a great show - even better because it's Ande's first time and he spends the whole performance amazed. I watch this from one row back and enjoy it more than the show.

Jack's heading out to a party so we pick out a dress for her and she gets glammed up while we prepare shabu-shabu. We spend the next hour cooking and eating and fighting over the best bits. I find it hard to believe that just 5 years ago this life was so unknown to me, that LA was a city I'd briefly visited many years earlier when right now it feels like home, like I don't belong anywhere else.

The night is still young when Jackie bails from her party and comes home to us. Siggy heads to bed and Jack and I talk and talk and talk some more. I miss this so much.

Morning comes; we have special pancakes for a sad day. Mum and Dad arrive and I'm so excited to see them again and for them to finally meet Jackie and Ande - how has it taken so long? My bags are packed, I've left the presents under the tree and Dad's anxious to get on the way ... I leave the unfinished gingerbread house and a little part of me behind...

Friday 15 January 2010

Happy New Year and all that ...

So it seems I had a proper holiday ... nearly a month between posts and I only feel a little guilty. Prepare to be inundated...

But first, I feel like I should reflect on the year gone by. It's gone so quickly, and really so uneventfully.

And really, I just want to look ahead.