San Diego, CA (or a suburb called Escondido)

Saturday was a full, crazy day...we departed Irvine (or Costa Mesa) at 10am and drove south for 2 hours to a city called Escondido outside of San Diego. Since we arrived at 12, our rooms were not yet prepared, so we had to dump all of our worldly possessions in Caitlin's room, and dilly dally for 3 hours. What do actors on the road do when they have dilly dally time, and a Target right across the street? Why, spend money of course! I bought some new clothes (totally necessary), and some space saving devices for my suitcase (I'm brilliant). After lunch at Panera, and a little nap, it was off to the Poway Performing Arts Center for a 7 pm show. The venue was nice, and the audience was great, and then it was home to bed.

The next day we had a day off, so I organized a little trip into San Diego...a group of us went to a place called Balboa Park, about 30 minutes away. This is the home of the world famous San Diego Zoo (a little too expensive and time consuming for us on this particular trip), and it touted as the country's largest cultural park with many museums and gardens and an international village. We took a trip over to the international village, because, as luck would have it...it was Sunday, and the houses are only open on Sundays!!! Man, we are GOOD. We ventured from house to house, visiting Scotland, Germany, Finland, Ireland, England, China, Israel, Norway, and more! We got food at many of the houses (the German house volunteers were the most eager, nearly shoving delicious Apple Strudel at us as we entered!) and got our names written in beautiful Chinese letters in the China house for a small donation. The Czech and Slovak Republics house was featured that Sunday, so there were many people in the native dress all around, and a polka dancing performance with live music. Santi and Ashley, and Patty and I got a chance to dance the last polka, which was very fun indeed. Patty sure does know how to wip a girl quickly and strategically around the dance floor! :)

We reconviened at the Trolly stop and headed back to our van. It was also the last day of a 3-day walk for breast cancer, so there were hundreds of walkers all creatively dressed in every shade of pink...pink wigs, tights, hights, bras (on the outside of shirts). There were equally as many people cheering them all on, and it was a great event to witness.

It was raining as we drove back to Escondido (I was driving), and San Diego drivers are sure freaked out by the rain! I guess it's a pretty rare event, and on a Sunday evening we were hit with some major traffic delays. We got home safely, however, and found we were STARVIN...so we went to the Coco's Bakery somethin or other (a lot like IHOP) right next to our hotel. I was determined to stuff myself, and I surely did...a veggie burger, fries, and slice of pumpkin pie later...I was stuffed!!!!!! The pie was only $1 with the meal though, so who could resist?

That night a group of us went to Pacific Beach with a tech guy from the Poway theater andhis friend...just hung out at a bar there which was interesting...not sure how I feel about Californians yet, but I'll make a final judgement once we leave in a week. Nothing bad, just definitely different.

I was the DD, so I drove all the way how one more time, and CRASHED. Today we are in Cerritos, back North...Gotta run to the grocery store...we have kitchens!