Last port in of the USA
Trip Start
Mar 26, 2009
1
13
26
Trip End
Jun 30, 2010
San Diego, California, United States
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
The bay
! So for the whole trip we just flew past all the traffic that was often stacked up in the noooormal lanes for the whole trip. Some times being forced back in with the rest of the pack by the environmentalist haters in their tanks as it seems that even at 110 its not quite enough for some people. With a hummer up your arse at this speed and not being left much choice but to move over into to sometimes even faster traffic at times only made the waterfall run a little bit stronger on my back.We had booked the hostel for San Diego in LA and found it with ease with the all too familiar by now numbered grid system. It was located in the gas light area, a very smart looking street full of smart resturants, trendy bars and designer shops. The first thing that hits you is how clean it is, there was almost not a thing out of place in this town. Even the façades of the buildings although were clearly from a different era, or at least designed to look that way looked as new as they day that they were built. Our hostel was located right in between two restaurants, a little "blink and you would miss it" door covered by a canopy. It reminded me of where i lived in London, as in the famous palace in Clapham our flat was right next to a restaurant and located next to where people ate on the terrace. So it always used to make me laugh that when ever we came in or out and had to open the door for a brief second or two these people were integrated into our conversation
Break
. With it being quite a nice place it was mostly dates so when there silence was broken by Danny farting or simon giving the ladies his "alright love" or even myself sometime falling through the door due to few too many sherbets, then it must have raised a few eyebrows. The restaurants that lined this street had outside each and every one of them the best looking girl in their employment, holding the menu as if it was a almanac, seductively stroking it as you passed by giving you a wide toothy smile..."hiiiiiii". It was like a chain of very upmarket "gentlemans clubs" all lined up together tempting you into world where you are to be attended by the sirens at your every whim, but then you see the video screen behind her of apiece of lettuce being thrown through a cascade of water and landing on a burger and i presume your lust moves to that. We got the bags inside and parked the car we went for a little wander along the main street where we managed to get ripped off almost straight away as we got teased into a irish bar (which was run by a Peruvian just to give it that oh so familiar touch of authenticity when you go in an irish bar abroad. I reckon people must be well disappointed when they go in an actual irish bar and see that there is not bike hanging from the ceiling and people drinking from a bucket... well at least in some of them) with the offer of a beer for $2 dollars. When told how that they were out of that brand i got given another and charged $12 for the other special of a thimble of rum and coke and a wine, plus tip... nice! After that little episode we decided to enjoy the facilities of the super trendy hostel and its kitchens, stocking up at the local convenience store, all to be washed down with a nice bottle of red californian later.
As in most of the places so far in the states, research has been minimal due to relying on tourist info when we get there
Rock Pools
. As there is always some handy little magazine or route to follow packed with info. Sadly there was not anything like that in san diego, the main attraction that they were trying to push was the zoo and not really being in the mood for all that we went to out to our old friend for some help, mr internet. Bit of a travel tip, i reckon that you cant go wrong with virtualtourist.com. Always throws out its top ten of everything and is usually on the money as there are so many users that offer a variety of advise and it came up trumps once again. Wanting to take advantage of the last day of the car we went for the less accessible points on foot with the first stop being Cabrillo national monument. A look out point over the city which is located on another island and can be reached by following the highway which runs along the side of the bay. A small fee to get into the protected area(with no student discount, man must be hard on pocket to get an educmaction in the states!) and at the end of the peninsula right next to the gift shop we had all of san diego laid out in frontof us. I had no idea who the said Cabrillo was, but he has ended up with a very nice view as you can see the whole city, the beach, airport and naval base.Made for some nice shots. Afterwards down to the rock pools that are located over on the other side of the peninsula. Not really much to write home about but as far as rock pool go they went alright, needless to stay the stop was short but sweet. We did however have the rare chance to see a bird crap on the roof of our hire car..
Rock Pools
. a real kodak moment. It now matched well with the coating of dust that still remained from the grand canyon visit. The next stop had to be the most entertaining of the trip. Apparently a visit to san diego was not complete without a visit to the old town (point number 3 on virtual tourist) which was supposedly a spanish (well mexian if we are going to right about this) colony that was formed on the outskirts of where the down town now is and can be experienced just as i was back in the day along with traditional craftsmanship and authentic wear. Now what they fail to mention as this is being sold in the brochure is that nearly all of the village was destroyed and so instead of a being restored to its former glory the place has been almost been rebuilt from scratch. The irony is as well as you walk around this little theme park is that there are actually very few hispanics around and those that are find themselves mainly appropriately placed in the centre of the plaza doing nothing more than a circuit waving at the tourist, just as they would back in the day one can assume. In the shops and such its a different story with all100% american. A quick lap of the village was undertaken browsing in a fewshops and then wandering through the market which had some nice things but with going to mexico in a few days there was no point in buying it here for triple the price. Getting a little hungry we settled on one of the large restaurants in the plaza which had a very wild west feel to it. All decked in wood with a stage coach wheels leaning against the various barrels of "tnt". Shown to our table by our waitress, a girl named cindy whose traditional wear made sure washed an able view of her chest and thong peeking out of her petty coat. The specials were rolled off at lightning speed through a cheshire cat smile that almost never moved as she spoke and almost every one could be complimented with the another offer of a todays special of a magarita. Elena went for a slab of cheese melted in with tuna and wrapped in a tortilla, and me a monster burrito that had to served on a steak plate to hold the beast..
The Port
. with an even bigger magarita at its side. I tell you those hispanics must have had it hard. The last hit of the day was to cross over to another island called coronado, that was where the beach was loacted and also promised some interestingly built wooden houses. To cut a long story short (something i feel i need to more of as this blog is taking up more time writing it sometimes than doing it) we missed an exit to take us onto the impressive bay bridge (again from ancorman its the one that burgandy´s dog gets thrown off by jack black) and ended up going well out of our way only to finally find that we had done a complete loop and right back outside el padres stadium. With not much time to spare before we had to take the car back for a good scrub so we had to abandoned that idea. Also giving that tensions had run a bit high in a classic boyfriend and girlfriend map reading argument fuelled a little by my hindered already awful sense of direction from the extra strong magerita (elena was driving) it was time to hang the car keys up. A bit of spit and rub with a baby wipe and the car was accepted back into the target forecourt right next to the airport and we walked back along the harbour still a little peeved at each as we checked out the boats and yachts moored up there. Now we had seen some kind of naval base from the lookout point before and also i have a couple of friends from san diego who live in madrid (big shout out to the ron and bob dog) who told me that their old man was in the military but i never realised that san diego had such a large connection with the force. As moored up at towards the end of the harbour was a massive aircraft hanger which looked even bigger with the helicopters sitting on top of it giving it an even bigger overpowering sense of perspective. Its like the death star of the ocean and given an even bigger slice of stars and stripes by a large effigy of a sailor presumably just returning home from weeks and see giving his gal a kiss in a dramatic throw down over one knee style
Gas Light District
. I restored the mood with my loved one taken in by this romantic gesture and treated elena to the same, but not going too far as the one leg was still not that steady and dropping her on grass might not have had the same effect. That evening was more fine cuisine from the supermarket cooked up a la hostel, only after avoiding eye contact with the temptresses outside the front door willing us into the restaurants. Followed by a couple beers in the hostel bar with the irish guy that worked there it was time to turn it in.Being woke up by school kids was getting a regular theme on the trip, as this time the hostel had been invaded by a french catholic group. These loveable frogs had risen early, probably with too many hormones to sleep and decided to congregate outside our room and have a good old teenage chat on the big sofas with some good old catholic rock being cranked out. Now french is well easy on the ears but when trying to get a bit of kip not needed so it was another early start togo out exploring. One of the recommended places that we had not yet visited was the el prado park that is situated to the north of the city so that was out first stop. When arriving there after and finally working out that within the park that all the action is on the north side and also ducking about every 5minutes with it being so close to the airport and the planes seems as though they are gonna make a crash landing on the grass we crossed the bridge over to where it was
In the Park
. I have to admit it was the first time in the states that i have been taken aback by a building, i mean yeah that happens but its normally through size or modern architecture. This one however i was not expecting at all, it was something that you would find down in the south of spain. A large tower set over a beautifully carvered door well in an equally impressive courtyard. The best thing as well was that this looked as it should, not all gleaming and new and as if it is made of polystyrene. It was shaped and sculpted into its surrounds of which they looked as they should, a bit aged, making it all the more magnificent. We would learn later as that the name el prado was not just shared with the famous museum in madrid by chance but it was actually influenced by as the architechtsthat had built it for the expo in 1915 had visited madrid and several other places in spain and were so impressed had used as a major influence. From thereat the entrance it opens up to a range of museums that make up about 8buildings spread quite a reasonable distance apart and with large kept gardens that are complimented with a series of water features such as ponds, lakes and various other fountains. Other sights included a japonese garden, a grand auditorium of where concerts are played and a large tropical green house all scattered around in between equally impressive buildings. Another thing that caught our attention was some of the trees, as most of them as well as being huge in size also had their roots displayed above the ground, almost as if they were huge tentacles stretching out to support its weight
Park
.Once we had our fill of the park we where ready to return into town and get something to eat as the overpriced tyical museum food was not doing it for us. Instead of walking back we decided to wait for the little tourist bus dressed up to look like a train that feeds the park. After waiting for about 10 mins we boarded and asked the driver, a very energetic man called micheal who makes it clear that when he is taking to whomever that they are getting his full attention by giving a intense stare with over animated answers. We tell him that we want to head south out of the park and he describes in great detail a variety of routes that we could take and the endless possibility of bus route combinations but eventually he settles on an option for us and tells us that he will inform us when we arrive. We move on to the back of the "train" as micheal transfixes himself with the next customer instantly regretting asking "where is good to eat around here". When you are on a bus that is styled as a train with zipable windows then you know that its anything goes. Proven as the microphone booms into action giving micheal the floor giving us fun tit bits about the park through the same way you might talk to a baby. Not all bad though as we learn in fact about the madrid connection and also the year that the main reason was for the expo. So we make our way back over the bridge that we crossed when we entered and leave the museum behind
El Prado
. More of this rambling follows and is then stepped up a gear as we drive past pedestrains and we are prompted to give a group wave(what is all that about, i have noticed that alot over here the desire to wave to strangers whenever in any tourist kind of transport... absolutely no need) andmicheal is in his element although clearly now dry on facts just seems to makeobservational calls such as "my oh my, that would make a greeeeeeeeeat place for a tree house, heeeeey, alriiight!" almost loosing control of the wheel through his excitement. This continues on as we now drive back across the bridgeinto the grounds again and now seem to make a veer towards the south, thinking he must know what he is doing we wait patiently. More passengers get on and are the fresh ears are treated to the same stories about the park but for us we are now getting to the point when we can finish his sentences for him. So after crossing the bridge yet again to passing the same tree where micheal again is prompted to tell us about his vision of the house in the trees we abandon train as at least we are now out of the park and walk it back down town under our own steam. Once there we get some Mexican food in and then try and work out how we are going to spend the rest of the afternoon. Its decided that perhaps we should try and give the island another go as from where we were there was about sevice just a few blocks away that left on the hour. A short walk down we baorded the boat and made the 20 minute crossing, again admiring the view of the city and aircraft carrier from the water and also waving back at the numerous passenger (i was getting in the swing of things) in the large ocean liner that was moored. The island has a large pier with people fishing off it and a little beach next to it all over looked by a series of restaurants that faced out to the city skyline
Prado grounds
. Avery pleasant area that seemed even more polished than the city We disembarked and walked along the shore line and then took a left up towards the many blocks of houses. The houses and streets here were probably the most typical american that i have ever seen in the states. In that i mean not the most common but if you watch a teen movie or anything that is set in a unnamed niceville then it would probably be here. Also never afraid to hang a flag outside the house (the ultimate sin in england) this place had turned it up a notch almost to the point of you could believe that something was being celebrated that day (or if you are english then however it would be when whatever football tournament is being played at the time). The infamous grid systems ran for blocks and blocks with the little slabbed payment path that has grass on both sides making up the side walk. I could almost see the cast of the golden years running down toward us through a series of back flips and leap frogs it seemed that generic. We walked around there for a while a gazed at the different houses that lined the streets and felt as though that this was really the american dream. A large house in a the burbs, 2 cars minimum and Saturdays spent tending to the garden while the kids play frisbee on the street. It all seemed too perfect. The beach was located at the other end of the island but it was starting get dark and with heading down to mexico the day after i didnt need to see a beach that i wouldnt be able to use so we headed back and got the next boat back to the mainland. That night once again after a feed it was to the communal bar area of the hostel to have a nightcap which turned into the early hours of the morning as my new irish drinking partner and i put the world to rights over various buds followed by some moonshine mix that he had put together guaranteeing a sore head for the morning
Big Tree
. Not is if it would bother me much as we were about to enter in one of the countries that has been way up there on my list for a long time... Mexico,but it was also with mixed feelings as once again the states had looked after us well and had provided with a great start to get into the swing of life out of a suitcase... perhaps too much luxury really for what was about to come. San diego is a cool place and was a great end to our tour of the states and could definitely be better enjoyed when not on a backpackers budget. Lots of trendy shops, restaurants all very attractively set in the gas light area where a great night life awaits you. The prado would definitely become a regular spot for any longer stay and also having the beach also wins extra points. The military influence becomes more apparent through out the stay with all sorts of discounts for uncle sams boys with a family member serving (including breast implants as we saw in one magazine) and almost creating a perfectly ran city that must house many retired with time served. The city is immaculately clean with transport running like clockwork and i imagine that crime here must low if not in fact a a big fat zero. This is however a price to pay for all this as it was shown to me all too well. Whist smoking a fag one morning i witnessed for the first time what i had thought for many years was an urban myth out here. Someone getting a ticket for"jay walking". The horrendous crime of crossing the street while traffic is not at a complete standstill. A big super cop on his bike pulled over to inform agirl of about 25 that she had in fact crossed at the wrong time and he would now be forced to give her a ticket for 125 big ones... what!! I was stood right next to the action and stayed where i was, not looking, but listening to what was going on. It went on for a while of how she was abusing the law and so on but in the end he decided to let her off but with a very strong caution
Poser
. As she left our eyes met and we shared a look as if to say "what a dick". On seeing this the cop then preceded to ask me what was my business out on the street and if he saw me even think about throwing the cigarette butt on the floor then he would write me up for $400... nice. Making sure the whole street saw him give me the dreaded pointed finger as he burned off on his bike... what a guy! Things definitely work differently out here in the states and thats what sometimes takes me a while to get my head around, its not wrong its just different. Things like that are a fine example and while for me ridiculous they are an integral part of the system and only attribute to the make the country as it is. Whether you agree or not they do in fact always add to make great stories and that is something that you are never short of in the states as there are just too many characters. From the guy in new york that had a go at us for taking too long in the deli by shouting "come on guys, lets go god damn it", the extremely overweight guy in a wheel chair being pulled by his dog while smoking a fag (him not the dog) in san diego to the guy who just came up to us mid conversation to tell elena that she had a nice smile and numerous others. The people make this county that is a fact and the over confidence oozes out of every part albeit good or bad i am not to say but if there is one thing that you can not deny about the states. Is that while sometimes it may lack in tact, it definitely has character...
