Well, it’s been nearly a week since we arrived and I’m afraid the body clock just hasn’t adjusted yet. It’s 0500 and I’m wide awake, sitting here at the computer while everyone else is fast asleep. Then, at 1400 this afternoon I will be exhausted and have to go and lie down where I will sleep for a couple of hours and wake up feeling awful. Mmmm. Anyway, I thought I’d jot down some impressions of America that I have noticed so far.
Firstly and hardly surprisingly, America is big, really big. Since the continental USA is about the same size as Australia, I shouldn’t be surprised but it really has hit me how large and spread out it is. Natalie and her family live in San Diego, which is in the far south of California. It is very close to the border between the US and Mexico and the city reflects this very strongly. Having previously been a Spanish colony then being controlled by Mexico, the architecture is very Spanish in style with hacienda-style homes being very common.
The ethnic mix also reflects the city’s history as well as its on-going issues with Mexican immigration, both legal and illegal. Many signs are in both English and Spanish and Spanish can be heard being spoken in the shops and the streets all the time. San Diego also has a very big Filipino enclave, immigrants from there no doubt feeling very much at home in a Spanish-influenced community.
As most who have travelled to the USA notice, the people are unfailingly hospitable and polite which is at first very refreshing but can become a little wearing as well. I’m sure there is no cause for cynicism over this characteristic but it is very unusual and it takes a while to acclimatise.
The weather here is temperate and very enjoyable. Temperatures between 25 and 30 degrees every day, dropping down to the mid-teens at night mean that you are pretty much always comfortable.
The city of San Diego is very spread out, similarly to Wollongong it is constrained by the Pacific Ocean on the west and a range of mountains that can go as high as 400m on the east. So it is long and thin, stretching from the Marine Corps establishment at Camp Pendleton in the north and the Mexican border in the south. Driving by the Marine Corps base (which is MASSIVE) on the way from the airport I couldn’t help but think of the old surfing song of the 60’s, “Surfer Joe”.
“Surfer Joe joined Uncle Sam’s marines today
They stationed him at Pendleton, not far away
They cut of his big blonde locks I’m told
And when he went on maneuvers Joe caught cold” 🙂
There is also a strong military presence closer to town with a huge Navy base on the coast just north of here and, of course, the fabulous deep water harbour just next to the city centre. Military aircraft pass over on training flights all the time.
The area appears to be very affluent with good quality housing and with most cars seen on the road being relatively new. As previously noted, the vast majority of cars are Japanese or Korean and the majority of locally-built vehicles are huge pickup trucks and people-movers. Most of the cars are recognisable though many have different names than those that the various models bear in Australia. There are hardly any American sedan cars on the road at all. Police can pull you over to check your car at any time but there is no regular yearly roadworthiness check. Despite being close to the ocean, rust in vehicles does not appear to be a problem and I have only noticed one instance so far, but, since the car was a 1964 model, I suppose it could be forgiven.
California is at present over 12 months into a drought so the image of a green and lush beachside environment is taking a beating. Water restrictions are in place and what gardens that can be seen when you get a glimpse over the stone fences and high gates are looking very sad.
The posted speed limit on the freeways that join the town suburbs and centres (the main ones are 7 or 8 lanes wide) is 65mph (about 110kmh). It seems that the accepted speed limit is higher with cars (and trucks) hooting along at 75mph without anyone turning a hair. It seems a little daunting at first but, like everything, you quickly become used to it and it doesn’t seem that fast (until you have to slow down or stop). Motorcycles regularly split the traffic at highway speed and it seems to be accepted.
Speaking of motorcycles, most appear to be modified, VERY loud exhausts being the norm, not just on Harleys but on all bikes. The sportsbike brigade appear to ride bikes that are thinly-disguised track day weapons, no indicators or mirrors (the use of hand signals is still legal here) and Antoine told me the other night that many riders carry a mirror and a set of stick-on indicators in their pocket in case they are pulled over and given a “Fix It” ticket. 🙂 Antoine’s bike has no muffler at all, just a “shorty” pipe that terminates just below the right hand rider’s footpeg.
On a personal note my leg is behaving itself well with considerably lower pain levels than before I left despite having to climb stairs to Natalie’s apartment and sitting for fairly long periods while being driven around the place. I am certain that this is totally due to the warmer climate.
Television here, despite having a million channels from which to choose, is a cultural wasteland being dominate by “reality” shows that are even more execrable than the ones which we endure at home. And the ads, my goodness, the ads. If anybody wanted to know why the USA is filled with supersized people they would only need to look at the ads on TV. The majority of them are for FOOD, and fattening food at that. Amazing. Due to lesser regulation, some strange anomalies occur. Pharmaceutical companies advertise heavily, not just cold and flu tablets but sophisticated medications as well. What’s really funny about it, though, is that the ad usually begins by touting the amazing properties of the pill or potion being advertised but then goes on to describe in detail the possible side effects complete with a multitude of warnings about why you SHOULDN’T take it!! The litigious society strikes again.
Wildlife doesn’t get too much of a look in. I haven’t seen one person walking a dog yet and the trees and bushes appear to be bereft of birds and insect life (though I’m sure it’s there) At La Jolla (pronounced “La Hoya”) Beach yesterday there were lots of squirrels in the bushes…
…which was very cute but the famed seals of the bay had moved offshore to some rocky outcrops and were very hard to see.
(Thank goodness my camera has a 1000mm lens)
Money, ah, yes, money. By and large everything is cheaper here than at home. Petrol is around $4 a gallon which is as near as dammit to $1 per litre. Groceries are ridiculously cheap across the board; so far I have only found a couple of items that are dearer, eggs being one of them. Clothing is way cheaper and in plentiful supply so holidaying is not as expensive as you might think it would be. And the American bank notes are unutterably dull, being still made of paper and looking like they have been simply cut out of a newspaper.
Coffee? Forget it. The coffee here is AWFUL. No-one even seems to know what a cappuccino is and, even if they do, the flavour is totally forgettable. I’ve been told it has something to do with the coffee beans available here but, whatever the reason, I’m drinking lots of tea.
The gang will be getting up for breakfast soon so I’d better close. If you are on Facebook, you can check my status for regular updates of comings and goings and also my rapidly expanding album of tourist piccies.
If you’d like to find out more about where I am holidaying…
Catch you next time.
jeffb says
Glad things going well,Phil. Hopefully the Many TV channels available provided a chance for you to indulge in the WSB this weekend. Some great racing from Sepang. Stay well and enjoy the family. Jeff
Phil Hall says
I don’t think Leith has the sports channels, but I have caught up with the results. We are having a great time.