Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Southern CA

We spent a couple of weeks in Southern California taking care of various things and spending time with family. One day we drove to downtown Los Angeles to request an apostille to bring back to Mexico. The drive wasn't bad until we got to the 101 freeway, then the traffic was super slow.

We were going to try and visit someplace like Universal Studios, but the admission is at least $100! (The last attractions I remember are from the 70's like the parting of the Red Sea, the Jaws experience, and the Ice Tunnel) Too expensive, we didn't go.
Los Angeles - freeway

Downtown LA





Downtown LA

Driving by the Wiltern Theater on Wilshire Blvd., I remembered going to a few concerts there, like Peter Murphy, back in 1990.
Downtown LA Wiltern Theater

Lamp post installation at LACMA



Along Wilshire Blvd., we stopped at La Brea Tar Pits which George had never been to. I remember going on a field trip there way back in elementary school (and probably enjoyed it more then).
The La Brea Tar Pits are a group of tar pits around which Hancock Park was formed in urban Los Angeles. Natural asphalt has seeped up from the ground in this area for tens of thousands of years. The tar is often covered with dust, leaves, or water. Wikipedia

La Brea Tar Pits


La Brea Tar Pits



My cousin Corey has an Optometry practice on Pico Blvd. It's a beautiful office with high tech equipment, friendly staff, and he's not only a great eye doctor who loves what he does, but is fluent in Spanish!
Eye exam and visit with my cousin Corey (Hodes Vision Optometry)
So Cal Family Collage
We managed to take care of everything, including selling our car. Now we are in the process of becoming temporary residents, and living in Merida full-time for the time being.

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

CA Road Trip

Below are more photos from our road trip. We spent time with family in the Bay Area, visited Filoli Gardens, and went for a hike in Elmwood Park.

On our drive back to So Cal, we stopped for views along the Central Coast and the Pacific ocean was a more beautiful shade of blue than I remember. We also stopped for a night in the charming and quiet Dutch town of Solvang, in Santa Ynez Valley.

Me and my amazing sister-in-law






George and the adorable Elmo






















 FILOLI GARDENS





 CENTRAL COAST










SOLVANG

 




Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Postcard from California

We are in California...taking a break from the Yucatan heat, to celebrate a graduation, visit family,  and tend to other pieces of business.
Amazing niece Katie graduates with honors.

Two of my favorite peeps! (proud Aunt)

Errands in downtown Santa Ana
CA hills on drive to Bay Area

Venetian Carousel in Casa de Fruta, near Gilroy

My latest article was just published in the Yucatan Times (see link on right side).