May 5, 2002
"Travel Land"
But Laura and Julia did it. I drive too slow, so Laura preferred Julia's speedier efforts on those mind numbing paths.
Once we arrived, I was amazed with the vast hugeness of the place. It's almost overwhelming. For instance, an entire section of the town is oriental. Every sign is in both English, Chinese and Korean.
The door of one restaurant, KOREA HOUSE, particularily fascinated me. If you click on the thumbnail below, you will be taken to the large picture. I don't know what lies beyond those doors. It was still early when that photo was taken. If you look closely, you can see the owner did not pick up his newspaper yet.
But the traffic, oh my god, the TRAFFIC! Laura was a hero, navigating through that intertwining complexity. Neither Julia nor I could help much, with the painfully tiny print on the map. (Note to self, get glasses for such things.)
We were to meet someone at a restaurant called Casa De Bandini. Once located, we found it's a Mexican restaurant in 'Old Town', which features an entire square devoted to things Mexican. Several shops sell items imported from there, and there are a few other Mexican restaurants. But only Casa De Bandini proudly wears a sign saying it had been voted San Diego's best Mexican restaurant four times. The appetizer dish we ordered while waiting was tasty. We had a good view of the entrance, for we sat at the outside bar, and saw all the people coming and going.
Such a wild gathering, it was, with color and music. Mariachis' entertained us. Booths were set up in the center grassy area, selling fish tacos, face painting and what not. Cinco de Mayo was being celebrated.
The holiday of Cinco De Mayo, Fifth Of May for you gringos, commemorates the victory of the Mexicans over the French army at The Battle Of Puebla in 1862. It is not, as I'd imagined before a little web research, Mexico's Independence Day from Spain. That happened in September of 1810, fifty two years before this battle. The web source declares "It is primarily a regional holiday celebrated in the Mexican state capital city of Puebla and throughout the state of Puebla, but is also celebrated in other parts of the country and in U.S.cities with a significant Mexican population." That would be in areas close to the border, of course.Back home in Yuma, it was also being celebrated in OUR 'Old Town'. But, as fate would have it, we didn't miss out on the celebration. We did, however, miss our friend. Because of the festivities, parking was hard to come by. One parking lot was even selling spaces for ten bucks a car. We were lucky to find a free spot at the transit center, a short walk away. Not so lucky our friend, for it took her forty five minutes to locate a parking spot.
This colorful 'Bird Of Paradise' blooms below the restaurant's porch
HUGGED BY A TREE!
I was fascinated with the intertwining branches of this tree, as was Laura. She posed within its arms, hugged BY a tree!
Horton Mall has the most fascinating architecture. It's a melange of various things, which somehow fits together in a crazy quilt fashion. A visit to a bookshop, and the purchase of some postcards, our parking ticket was validated, and thus free.
Laura in the shadows, observing the view, and Julia in the distance on the stairs
It was a fun interlude. No doubt, when the sun here rages fierce, we will be tempted again by San Diego's oceanside charms.
May 8, 2002
"Work Land"
Getting away was nice. All day at work on Monday, the images from the trip played in my mind. That's one of the nice things about seeing new things: new things to think about.
Work's been busy. A whole pile of work remains for us this morning which was not finished yesterday. It's easy to get overbooked when the customers all want it 'now'. Still, there were a few nice things about yesterday, images of work I do not want to forget.
I don't want to forget the little princess in her 'wedding dress'. When the tiny blonde haired girl first tried on the huge dress, she didn't seem so excited. But later, after I'd taked its sides in and shortened the shoulders, she glowed in it, twirling around. The skirt with full, with crinolines underneath to puff it out, made a pleasing contrast to the close beaded and lacy bodice, with its narrow shoulder straps, also lace and bead covered. The happy three year old's Mother also glowed with excitement and told of her daughter's conversation. She is to be the flower girl, walking down the aisle with a small boy, a little older at five years old. She calls it her 'wedding dress', and says she is marrying the boy. He, at five, however, is less than entranced with her 'passion'. He, an ordinary boy of his age, is more into rough and tumble play, and not fancy dress-up and weddings!
But the little girl is also into play. The collection of shoes left for customers who have forgotten theirs fascinated her. Before the Mother could get the pretty white dress off her daughter, she'd found one huge shoe, and proceeded to put her foot, while clad with a tiny shoe of her own, into that long boat. Ah, the perfect accessory!
Another memorable scene occurred a little later in the day. This time the customer was a pudgy faced man of about thirty. His mid section was also 'pudgy'. He clasped a suit jacket which no longer fit him, and began trying it on to demonstate. ''Too tight?'' the other seamstress asked.
The man looked bewildered, embarrassed. He was also a little hard of hearing. ''Who died?'', he asked in response. His thoughts likely were ''I know I don't wear this thing often, but it's NOT TRUE that I only wear it to FUNERALS!'' The original question was repeated, with greater emphasis. He looked further embarrassed at having misunderstood her, but explained he worked all day on loud airplanes, which has deafened him. Too bad, that. Too bad, that we also could do nothing for his coat. For whatever occasion he was needing a suit coat, he will need to buy a new one.
And now, it is the early morning, well before the beginning of work. Will anything memorable happen today?
May 9, 2002
"Pain Land?"
(Ugh, FTP can't seem to access our website. This current section of Weighty Matters has gone unavailable in a botched transfer. We have been told Dreamhost is getting new IP numbers. But it wasn't supposed to affect us. Patience! Patience, I'm told is a virtue to cultivate. It shouldn't be that difficult, when life gives us so many opportunities to practice it.)
May 11, 2002
"Have A Happy Day"
One of the tenets of Buddhists concerns the origin of Suffering and 'the Path which leads to the cessation of all sufferings'.
I gratefully report I am free of the Sinus suffering which plagued me these last few days. The cessation of THAT particular suffering has led to great happiness, indeed.
And there is another holiday, a little 'nearer and dearer' to most of us. Tomorrow is Mother's Day. I'm sure my Mother has received her card already, and I'll be calling her sometime this weekend. I decorated the outside of her envelope with a wild drawing. She'll probably find it amusing. At least it features an airplane, (in the upper right) however sloppy and sketchy.
Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers out there!
May 12, 2002
"If The Moon Smiled"
Thus follows this whimsy:
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If the moon smiled,
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May 16, 2002
"If The Sun Raged"
It's HOT here. One web site reports yesterday's high as 97° F / 36° C. I notice this site is called WEATHER UNDERGROUND. That's the problem. They should have gotten ABOVE GROUND. The disc jockey on the radio station was reporting 105°F.
If not actually 'underground', the official measurements do seem to be taken in the shade. In any case, I pulled out an old tan hat, made of thin cotton except for the sturdier brim, and am making use of it while in the sun. I also have a new straw hat, with a huge brim, for longer stays in the sun. Its daily use isn't practical, however, and the old one suits me just fine most days.
(almost) ready for that sun