Still FOUR TEEN

The Three Teenagers and me are definitely NOT the desert types. We are relived, when we realize, we're getting close to San Diego. Can't wait to have the first glimpse of the Pacific. It takes a while, we are on the road now for almost eight hours with all those stops and have-a-looks and Boarder Patrol stops. Obviously there are not enough Border Patrols to keep the current situation under control. We later learn, that there are about 40 Million people - official figure - in California. Almost half of it - about 16 Million, and that is only guessed - are illegals. ME, I'm not a politician. But when half the population of a country is doing their share of working and running the country but not officially - they cannot legalize their citizenship - and the other half is doing the same but paying all the taxes for it...That is impossible. Only a small percentage of the immigrating people is making trouble. The majority would apply for citizenship if they could, all they want is a better life and a real existence. Tough job, Arnie!

To be honest, right now ME and The Three Teenagers do not really care about legal or illegal immigrants. We are busy finding our accomodation for the next two nights, an offer from friends which ME was happy to take. We drive by the adress various time because its hard to believe what we see: The most beautiful house with the most beautiful view from above at the Pacific Ocean. Very lucky and happy friends live here, right now they are out of town and we can occupy the place. Unbelievable generous!

We drop our luggage and head right to the beach. Shoes off and run to the water. It's freezing cold! The people say they had a very cold summer so far. For us coming from humidity to dry to desert heat its perfect. Just perfect! HE is not sissy, HE jumps right into the water. No3 makes a short attempt too, SHE and ME pass on that one.

We play and sit and walk and watch surfers 'til almost sunset, then we look for food. When you look for something in an area where you've never been before you almost read every sign. Amazingly every other store or location has something to do with yoga or meditation or similar ideas. There is even yoga jewellery, yoga fashion of course, yoga gift shops and yoga places. And sure enough a yoga restaurant. That's it for tonight. We om our way through the menu and figure out with the sweet smiling waitress - ME wondering where this fey smile comes from, I'm still very naive sometimes... - what the food is all about. Basically its healthy food, ME very impressed by the bottom line in the menu. It reads: "We appreciate your patronage and wish you radiant well-being and happiness". Namaste. The Three Teenagers are not sure about this and order food where they partially know the dish, like veggie enchilladas or green tea or avocados. Good food.

Exhausted we return to "our" home and ME - after running out once more to get some stuff for breakfast at "Oh thank heaven for 7-Eleven" - indulge in the luxury of sitting on an outdoor terrasse, listening to the ocean, starring at the horizon occasionally and reading a book. This is heaven. The Three Teenagers are impressed too - with the huge TV screen this household has. ME going to bed BEFORE the kids, maybe the first time in 15 years for another reason than being simply sick. I just want to experience the luxury of laying in a huge bed and look out on the ocean as long as possible.