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Published: December 14th 2007
California Girl
Shazza adjusting to being back in CaliWith our big road trip finished, it was time Shazza and I parted ways. During her smog test, I found out she was originally from California, so I really brought her home- the long way. It wasn't so easy to move on though, with most people not interested in her because she was high maintenance (manual gears), too old (1997) or had been around too much (197,000 miles). Even the internet dating sites I put her on (craigslist & auto trader) didn't help find her match.
In the meantime, I hung out with Tara and her friends, taking to the 'So-Cal' lifestyle with ease. It has been the "most like home" place I've been to yet, with the warm climate, big surfing culture and even some Aussie pubs around (like the new 'Bondi' bar, that the locals pronounce "Bondey"). We celebrated Tara's B'day at a winery and ate ourselves silly with her family for Thanksgiving. To do something active, we climbed the nearby burnt hills and kayaked through the sea-caves at beautiful La Jolla. I even went to a line-dancing bar called 'In Cahoots'! With some exercise under our belts, we loosened them to take up a free buffet dinner
Badges of Honour
The wall of history at the end of the trip from all the States and Provinces we stayed in (Chicago's fell off). at the nearby Indian Reservation Casino, which was disgustingly good.
I managed to find a new companion for the next leg of my trip- a nice surfboard that now goes by the name "Sheila". It was so great to get back in the water and on the first proper board for 9 months. Sheila even got on well with Shazza and managed to fit in the back, with the seats folded down.
I spent a quiet birthday at a family friend's place watching Thursday Night Football with pizza and beers, before Tara took me to the John Butler Trio concert the following night. My biggest disappointment was that I didn't find out about the Movember ball at “Bondey” on my birthday until afterwards- like I said, its similar to Aus in many ways.
My Mo progressed throughout the month to become what I called 'The Returning Walrus”. This was due to its strange tendency to grow further down one side, making a somewhat boomerang shape and stay bare in the middle, like a walrus. Dec 1 it was removed, only to return next Movember.
The first solid swell of the season pounded the coast last week-
Tara's Birthday
Lunch at the local winery turning the whole coast into one big spectator gallery. In the city's magical Balboa Park, we went to ‘December Nights’- a Christmas/ food festival where you can eat your way around the world.
After nearly a month of trying (and crashing with Tara's family), I finally managed to sell Shazza. Someone called up in broken English after they spotted her working the street nearby (with for sale signs). During the test-drive, her ‘check engine’ light came on, like she was making it difficult to leave me. The Mexican guy (using his friend to translate), offered me cash on the spot, which I took. It was around half of what I paid for her, but I only had 4 days left on my visa and needed to get going. It still worked out much cheaper than renting or even buses across the continent.
We said our goodbyes, and I watched her drive up the street, never to be seen again. At least we’ll always have the memories. I just hope she picked up more Spanish than me, otherwise she’ll have a hard time understanding her new owner!
In the morning, Tara and I fly to Cabo San Lucas,
Hiking in the Hills
The diving-board rock Baja, Mexico for the weekend. She then returns to S.D., while I travel through Mexico- on public transport!
All the photos from my trip were using my small camera. A collection of shots using my “proper” camera are now stored on this blog site, under "Galleries". Check them out if you get a chance.
Merry Christmas/ Happy Chanuka everyone!
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