I wake to the throb of my feet but not to be held back I set off looking for somewhere to have some pancakes for breakfast. I soon gave up on that idea when my feet gave up. So I wander ed to the train station and boarded the blue line with the intention of going as far as the Mexican Border. I had intended going over the border but the people that I had met at the social event warned me that it could take me hours to get back into the US again, so I decided to forgo that trip. But going close on the train I may get a glimpse of Mexico.
As the train goes further and further south I felt more and more uncomfortable. Seems sleaze boards the train down here so well short of the border I get off, change platforms and head back towards the city. The scenery was uninspiring and reminded me of the area around Folsom but perhaps not quite so "manicured".
Not unhappy to get going back towards the city I decided to go exploring. Originally I had planned on going to the zoo thinking that the wildlife park was part of the zoo. I find that they are two different places and having read about both decided against the wildlife park which would pale in comparison with the real thing in Africa and also in Australia. The zoo alone wasn't of interest so the idea of exploring the suburbs seemed like fun.
As I sat gazing out the window a couple with young child board. they sat across the aisle from me. She with no front teeth and he with buck teeth. An interesting mix. Their wee girl Heaven came and attached to me and we got chatting. She told me she was three so i showed her how to count to three on her fingers. Wow, great excitement. We became great friends and she wanted to get off the train with me when I left. Too cute.
My first stop, La Mesa, where supposedly a village atmosphere would greet me. I searched and did not find and so boarded the train again and got off next at the Hazard Centre which seemed as though once upon a time it would have been a rather pretty shopping centre. not now but I did try a Joes Crab Shack crab cake wand although not overly impressed filled my stomach for a while.
Another stretched faced lady boarded the train just as I was hopping on again to go to my next stop, the Old Town, where I caught the no 30 bus. My trip took me along the seaside suburbs and although the route did not follow the shoreline I could tell that this was a beautiful area. La Jolla (pronounced La Hoy-ee-ya) was indescribably stunning. White cliffs bordering on a white sand beach, beautiful homes, what looked like lovely boutique shops. Gorgeous. My feet did not allow me to get off and go exploring and so i stayed on the bus until it passed through the University area and stopped at the University City Transport Hub - another huge mall.
I returned to the city on an express bus passing a number of areas occupied by homeless people. There seems to be a disproportionate number of mentally challenged (or stoned) people i this city and a disproportionate number of areas where homeless people just hang out, their possessions piled high in shopping trolleys with many bearing religious icons or praying in the street. It doesn't seem to do them any good but I guess it is great that despite their situation they still have a belief in something. Sad because it is such a beautiful city.
One thing that has impressed me since I arrived in the US was how polite people are. No pushing, no shoving, orderly queues, no road rage, polite service; really impressive. Sometimes i almost got the idea that people were apologetic because they seemed scared that you might retaliate. Who knows the reason but I liked it.
After another great meal at Tender Greens I return to the hotel and watch TV. Interesting that the news presenter tells us that today was the record low daytime high at 70 or 21 degrees today. I thought it was lovely.
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