Severely bruised ribs from a serious fall were hampering my efforts to lift suitcases and I was contemplating how I was going to manage leaving home with two suitcases that would have been difficult to lift at the best of times. Blessed nephew Mike promised to come to the rescue.
Two days before my scheduled departure we were treated to a good wake up call in the form of a decent earthquake and reminded us all that we lived on top of a major fault. The morning I was due to leave there were more. They subside and I leave for Auckland. It seems the gods celebrated my departure for not long after I arrived in Auckland the lower north island was the centre of another severe quake. Do I go back to Wellington where I could help in my civil defense volunteer role and check on family, or do I continue on as usual? Reassurances received I board and set off for the U S of A.
My upgrade confirmed I spend the next 12 hours stretched out being pampered. At the odd stage during the night when we hit turbulence I was awoken to the thought that it was an earthquake. Then I realised where I was.
Immigration a breeze, I am through by 12:30pm and register my US SIM. As agreed I txt my cousin to let her know I had arrived. I had planned on catching public transport to Folsom where my cousin lived but was assured that it was going to take me too long (2-3 hours) and so they would come and get me. As they say "the best laid plans"; 2 hours later they arrive and I see my cousin for the first time in 34 years. Great excitement. My parents and I stayed with cousin Tina's parents when we were in Napa in 1970 but we didn't see too much of one another then as she was away at school.
Eager to show me round San Francisco Tina and her husband Gary take me along the waterfront past some of my old haunts and fighting the horrific traffic (baseball games, school holidays and lovely weather all contributing) we eventually arrive at a seafood restaurant where we could see the boats bringing in the fish. It was like walking into an NZ restaurant 30 years ago, a real time warp, with menu selections to match. Weird, quaint but nice. Scoma's is reputedly one of the best seafood restaurants in San Francisco but neither my cousin Tina's well overcooked prawns, or my overcooked and not nicely presented fish gave that impression. More like a Fisherman's Table type meal.
Fed and watered we hit the road again and once again strike traffic jams. About 6 pm we arrive at American Canyon where we used to live. While we were living here we met an amazing family who had treated us so well and provided us with a huge amount of support during our visit. We had lost touch and three of the four family members had now sadly passed away; but here I was visiting the sole family survivor. Seeing Deme again was a highlight. We both looked vastly different but she was just like her beautiful mother, warm, embracing and so beautiful. Sadly, no time for a long visit but so pleased to have seen this lovely lady again; and so we travel on.
Folsom was a city I hadnt previously visited so I was looking forward to checking it out but alas it was well dark by the time we arrived. Armed with takeaway pizza we arrived at Tina and Gary's where I meet their three cats. Too late and too tired to take much in by this time it was about 10pm I call it a day and off to bed.
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