Travel Plans

For a lot of reasons, I will be on the road for a good chunk of June and possibly July.  I know I will be going to LA Pride, and I decided that I will celebrate what would have been Rick's 76th birthday by going to Tijuana Pride.  After that, who knows.  I have not heard any plans about San Miguel de Allende.  I also think that depending on the timing I just may go to Guatemala.

Since I started dating the Amante, Guatemala has been on my bucket list.  I want to see where he grew up, and maybe get some of the insights about him I never got when he was alive.

One thing I do know was that he was making sure I was being realistic about the whole thing.  That started when he gave me the news that it looked like ultimately he would be deported due to myriad immigration issues.  I mentioned that when I came up for air, I would make it a point to visit him.

A few days later, I mentioned to him that Guatemala will not let me drive there on my California drivers license without an International Driving Permit accompanying it.  You can get it at your friendly, neighborhood AAA office for $15.00.  He realized that I was serious about it and asked the important question.

"Could you handle being in a place where they killed a cow, butchered it and sold the meat immediately?"

I just said, "I'm willing to try."

So we shall see how scheduling works out.

One month later

Well, it's been a month since I left San Francisco.

Good news: I'm happier.

Bad news: I still haven't found a place.  I have decided to deal with that issue after my trip in October to San Antonio and Mazatlan.

Two things are standing out.  First, I don't miss San Francisco in the least. That was reinforced when I read a story of a cyclist participating in Critical Mass terrifying a motorist as he damaged her car.  I'm glad I am outta there!

Second, I didn't realize how much I would be reminded of Rick now that I am down south.  It's mostly along the lines of either, "Rick would love to be doing this," or, "Rick would roll his eyes in the back of his head because I am doing this, and not be at all surprised."  With regard to the latter, I now know where to get a great Philly Roll in Tijuana!  Now all I need to do is find a good Dim Sum place.

But before I do that, I need to get some water, get some work done and venture out to watch soccer all night.

Quincañera review.

So, I should give a review of the main event of last weekend.

It was fun.  I got to socialize with the family of my date and THAT gave my Spanish a much needed workout.  Everyone was all dressed up, and my friend's aunt and I amused ourselves by taking on the role of fashion police.  I know that most of those who wore fashion disasters for whatever reason thought that the outfit was flattering.  The reality was they were really bad.  However there was dinner and dancing fueled by beer and I had a good time.

In other news, I found a neighborhood I like.  The location (for me anyway) feels like I am in a sweet spot vis a vis what I do.  Now, it is time to look for a place.  I saw one place already and will look some more.  I hope to have a place lined up before I go to Texas.

And on that note, Happy 5776!

Quincañera Prep

Remember when I said, "What the hell," on going to Tijuana last weekend?

It resulted in my being invited to a quincañera this weekend by a young man who was allowed to bring a date.  The night before the party, I got to meet his family.  I managed this because I mentioned to my date that I needed a haircut and he offered to do it.

So, I get to meet his aunt and assorted nieces and nephews and make small talk with them as he fetches the clippers.  Then the real fun began.  I got my first juried haircut.  The aunt was the lead judge and the nephews were also giving their uncle opinions on the cut as he was doing it.  Even the dog barked out an opinion or two.

It turned out to be a great haircut.  I got to meet some more of his friends at a birthday party and both the cut and the story got good reviews.

And it made this blog!

Conversation piece.

One of the things I bought last month before I left was a laptop backpack from Costco.

The bag itself does double duty as a weekend case for my clothes and last night I crossed the border at Otay because I missed the last MTS bus in San Diego headed toward the Iris Avenue Trolley Stop and decided, "What the hell."

A woman noticed the bag and how well I could handle it on my back.  I thanked her and then asked for advice on how to get to Centro once I entered Tijuana without spending an arm and a leg.  She gave me an earful on how expensive the cabs right at the border are and then the low down on how to get the bus (which I did.)

But I do find it interesting that the laptop bag was the conversation starter.