As you will have realised, our frequency of posting is slowing down as we slip into the more relaxed living-the-local-life part of our holiday.
Now, if you don’t know Los Angeles, you won’t know that what most people think is Los Angeles is really a huge megalopolopolopolis (!), comprising counties and cities galore. Our first two days – based in Yorba Linda, Orange County – were spent on some of the typical Southern Californian activities of shopping, driving, eating. The shopping was driven by Len’s and my wanting some shoes.
So, off to South Coast Plaza we went on our first day here. Len found the sandals he was looking for, but I was less successful. No worries! Although South Coast Plaza is a huge mall, we have more days here yet. We lunched at a favourite little mall restaurant from the past, Vie de France, where the food felt (and tasted) fresh and original. The bread, for those who love (and can eat) bread, was traditional French baguette.
We then returned “home” to what we plan will be a regular pattern while staying here – activity in the morning, rest in the afternoon, and then activity (perhaps) in the evening. This is not how we always travel, but, like Carolyn, we do like an afternoon siesta, and if we can fit one into our life (travelling or otherwise) we will.
After some discussion about plans for dinner, we ended up driving to Fullerton to a Thai restaurant called Thai Basil. The food was delicious, and pretty easy for those of us used to Aussie Thai restaurants to understand and enjoy. There were some differences but not enough to confuse us – if that makes sense.
The second day covered by this post went to pretty much the same script, except that this time I found the shoes, and we lunched at another old favourite, Nordstrom department store’s cafe. I won’t discuss Carolyn and Len’s choice of food, but I had a really delicious Chicken, Apple, Almond and Goat’s Cheese salad. We visited some other shops on the way home – including Whole Foods with its very tempting food displays, and Home Depot for some needed hardware items.
Then, according to plan, we returned home to rest (siesta) before all of us (Carolyn, her twin daughters, Emily and Hana, plus Len and I) drove down to Garden Grove to meet Carolyn’s son and daughter-in-law, Ben and Annie, at a Korean all-you-can-eat BBQ place, Cham Sut Gol. My-oh-my, was the food tasty and plentiful. We came away well sated and having had a lovely family time.
I should add that we have also been refamiliarising ourselves with our “favourite” freeways, including SR91, 55, and 22. The speed on some of these 12-lane (at times) freeways can be terrifying. I drove them once, but now? I’m not so sure. So far, Len has done the freeways, while I’ve contented myself with some of the backroads. It was very quiet along the US395 for example!
Trevor Noah and Rachel Maddow
After returning home from our delicious dinners, on both nights, we caught up on our new favourite TV commentators, Trevor Noah and Rachel Maddow. I mean, how can you not watch someone who makes comments like “Trumpcare is no more. I don’t know why we’re surprised. We all knew the words Trump and care were never destined to be together.” (Noah).
The main topics of conversations over these two nights were (obviously, from my comment above) the failure of the Health Care Bill (which came as a surprise) and Donald Trump Jr’s 2016 meeting with a Russian lawyer. It was aimed at getting some negative gen about Hillary Clinton – “opposition research”, the Trump team called it – but it turned out to be with eight people (i.e. not just the lawyer.).
Coffee
Carolyn said, early in our shopping/driving/eating trips, that “we’ll find you a white bottom, or whatever that coffee is that you like!” Hmm. Flat white, we asked, or Long black? Is that what you mean? We all had a good laugh.
However, the thing is that our friend Trudy in Redondo Beach, whom we’ll visit at the end of our trip, also tries to hunt out the right sort of coffee for us when we visit her! Clearly, we Aussies make a big fuss about our coffee, but really, I suppose, it’s all about what we are used to. Why should we impose our ideas of coffee, or any sort of food for that matter, on others? Americans are sometimes criticised for expecting American food when they travel overseas, but isn’t our coffee expectation a bit the same? That is, we expect our coffee when we travel and don’t want to accept that of others? Just putting it out there….
Today’s trivia
This is “real” trivia! The South Coast Plaza shopping centre/mall is the largest in the US west and is 50 years old this year. You may never get asked either of these at a trivia night, but just in case you do, now you know!
After a long silence on the blog, here I am having been reminded of the times we spent with you not so very far from where you are right now. Lovely to be reminded of those holidays and of Carolyn and her family who were oh so small! when we last saw (most of) them. Because of course we saw Ben again when he came across the wide Pacific to have a holiday with you and particularly Evan. I remember him standing in the hallway in our house in Turramurra gazing wistfully at a map of the world hanging on the wall – no doubt wondering how he was going to manage without his Mum and Dad and brothers and sisters for three whole weeks (I think it was three, wasn’t it?) Anyhow – Hello, Ben I hope you weren’t too homesick that night but you survived and Colin and I both thought what a brave little bloke you were.
By the way, Sue, I wish I could send my feet over to you so you could get me some shoes, too. Would they have anything more stylish than my little old lady shoes for me, do you think?!
Great photos as usual. Loved the Joshua tree.
Mum.
Lovely to hear from you Mum. Actually, I have sussed of that the shoes I bought and soothe brand can be found in Australia, so you can look at them on my return and we can mail order.
We are seeing Ben and Annie on the weekend, so will make sure he reads this.
Dad and Carolyn obviously made the right decisions at Nordstroms. Who on earth would choose salad when you can have a lemon layer cake?! You’re a fool, Mum!
Carolyn, you are so beautiful! xo
You’re right, I am Hannah, silly me. But, I did have a little tags of Carolyn’s and it was yum.
Yes Hannah, my cake was absolutely delicious and I want to go back to the mall for another piece. Maybe we could search for some stylish shoes for your grandmother to further justify the trip.
Your mom and dad kindly failed to mention that our air conditioning is broken right now and that it is mighty hot in this house at night. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the repairman can fix it.
We don’t need to justify any trip to Nordstrom Cafe! I’ll happily have that salad again ?
I like shoes too!
She knows that Hannah! She remembers some sparkly shoes.
As always. great slides! But this time more of lovely happy people eating out and enjoying each others’ company. I love all the joyful smiles. It is so obvious how pleased Carolyn is to have you “home”.
Yes, I do look for the flat white and the long black and I too can not keep the names straight. Two Guns is still here in Manhattan Beach AND they have opened a restaurant in El Segundo. I have also thought about inviting you to check out a coffee place called A Boy and a Bear or a Bear and a Boy here in Redondo Beach. It is right across the street from Eat At Joes, (one of our favorite spots to eat – you “might” be okay for breakfast there but I am not sure about the rest of the day’s offerings).
Enjoy your stay! Hope to see you at the end of the trip before you fly away. I have put in to have the late afternoon off on the 1st and the entire day of the 2nd. Please do let me know if there is anything I can help with before you get over this way.
It is hot over here too and we don’t have air conditioning at all – just fans. We do know some places to go to find a nice ocean breeze at choice times of the day. Hope things cool down a little for your visit but as you say, you came to escape the COLD and Hanna says she would love some of our heat!
Trudy Jayne
Wah! I replied to this this morning but it has disappeared. I knew you’d like the coffee comment, Trudy. We’d love to try the Bear place.
And no you don’t need to do anything, just be ready with a smile on the afternoon of 1 August!