Day 30 - West Meets South in San Diego

When I returned from Mexico, I wanted to get together with my middle bro. 

He had come from Texas, his new digs, ( I'm really sure this move was not totally his idea ) to see daughters and brothers and friends. As we had made only tentative plans to see each other, I went to Mexico for a few days, and when we returned he went to Temecula. 

Well, it's not hard to know who had the best of that. Not withstanding that border wait...

So, brothers reunited! We met at the BoatHouse on Harbor Island for a walk and talk. Lunch was tasty and the venue beautiful - especially for those who have chosen to live in Texas.

To his never-ending credit, he refused to let me pay for lunch, or the inevitable trip to the Bali Hai for - Thank you God - Mai Tais. 

My bro said he loved them and could drink quite a few given the opportunity. I will welcome him back.

 I loved the day!

Days 26 & 27- Buenos días!

It’s been 12 years since traveling in Europe and a couple since Canada.

Roma

 Nevertheless, these last few days in Mexico reminds one of just how uniquely different this foreign country is from all the others I have visited. The colors used in places such as Umbria and Provence are bright and cheery. They make purple and yellow look beautiful, but somehow those same colors- and every other shade dotting the barren hillsides on the way down the coast in Mexico- look out of place and, unfortunately, dirty.

So the resort south of Puerto Nuevo called La Fonda (should we really call it a resort?) is differently charming. That is to say, charmingly run- down.

However the very rustic beach- view room with a huge veranda just steps from the sand (albeit very steep steps – and a lot of them) is a great value. Food and service are excellent, and reasonably priced.  Therefore, the dichotomy of the coat hanger screwed into the ceiling to hold up the shower curtain is indicative of what one finds throughout the whole property. Of course, I live in a motor home…

It is true that once you have arrived to one’s Mexican destination, there is a tendency to slug Tequila. I actually resisted this urge showing the kind of grace and will- power possessed by very few of my friends, and myself, on all previous visits. See how I have matured?

And then, there is the Rosarita Beach Hotel. The wife and I decided to have one final Margarita while looking into staying there on the next trip. Compared to where we had been, it seemed like Disneyland!

 The total opposite of the poverty surrounding it. Once inside that arch, the atmosphere becomes Santa Barbara- like. And it totally hides the cruel reality of the two- hour and 45 min. wait in line one endures to cross back to civilization. An appreciation of this country invariably ensues. 

God Bless America, indeed!

So this is the question; does the value on the beach justify the wait at the border?  The jury consisting of my wife and I, and my bladder, - sans motor- man’s friend – says probably not.

As I have been telling you all, it's not easy being sleazy. It takes a great deal of stamina and courage to pull off 31 days of celebration. I'm heading to Mex. so who knows if I'll make it to the month end. 

So I slept in. !0:00 so I apparently had a good day yesterday. I did coincidentally run into a grammar school friend at the Del Mar concert. And enjoyed dancing with folks newly met and also those friends who have known me for too many years. We drank way too much wine.

I do recall ending the night at Jimmy O's where the wife put my name in the rotation for karaoke. 

Singing back in the day- before Diva-like personality

 And also picked the song. I have no idea what I sang, and I'm not asking. Because I'm a bit of a Diva, meaning I'm my own worst critic, I know for certain that it was not a stellar performance.

So rock on my friends, stay the course, put up a good fight, and all that!