The Other End of the World - California

On cold January evening, we were sipping a hot tea in our drawing room sofa pondering over an interesting topic – vacation 2016. We looked at each other and said “shall we do U.S. this time”. The decision was sealed before we finished our tea and there was no discussion after that. Since all four of us have 10 year visa, I jumped into ticket booking within next 2days.

We had initially booked a 4 week vacation covering east and west. But later I had to cut it short to three weeks due to work demands. Plus, this is our first travel with vedha, which added little anxiety in embarking on such an extensive travel. So we rescheduled our tickets to & fro SFO.

The D day

Our flight was at 8:30am. Vidur, like a trained traveler, got up early and was ready like a bat out of the hell. We let Jannu be in her slumber world until we reached the airport. We both were in jamjams wondering how to manage jannu with no seat on a 16 hour non-stop flight to Sanfransico.  To exacerbate, the flight was completely packed, even the business and first class.  Vidur was on his own - busy over the games on his screen. Shiva and vidur slept for 2-3hours; jannu and me did not sleep the entire flight. She made ‘giri valam’ of A-380 from one end to other – roughly 8 times during the course of journey; I was her escort. To our envy, the kid in the corner seat - should be of 2 years age, slept for some 12 hours during the flight. Jannu and I slept during the final hour of the journey. 

It was a bright afternoon in SFO when we landed. Our eyes were cherry red when we reached home. I was meeting archu after 2.5yrs and VJ after 5 yrs. We managed to stay awake for 3-4 hours and all were knocked out by 7pm.

The First 3 days in San Jose

Jannu woke up for an hour at 1am. vidur slept through and was up at 5am. Nevertheless, both did a fabulous job in managing the arduous flight and melee of their day/night schedules.

To keep ourselves away from ennui, we decided to indulge in some retail therapy. We spent our day at outlet mall - Livermore, both of us going crazy over brands that we never dared to venture in Dubai. Archu was thunderstruck looking at me shopping like this. I once made her to persuade me for a week and hop to 6 different shops in Chennai to buy a formal shirt as gift from her over her first job.  She was happy, that now I make quick decisions in buying stuff for myself.    

Next day, we met Shiva’s friends P and N (bits pillani gangsters). It was complete family gathering at N’s house. Shiva was super excited at their re-union after some 10 years. Probably she never
imagined that it would happen in the US.  Vidur had a ball with new-found friends. Both had twins and they were of Vidur’s age. For a change, even I enjoyed the men’s company 😃.  

Next day, till noon we were only discussing how to fill up the day.! By now, jannu started showing her true colors – ransacking the kitchen quietly, taking things out of bin, slyly sneaking out of main door and ringing neighbor’s bell, taking any available phone for playing, etc.. VJ was constantly trying to teach us all the faux pas in ‘america rajiyam’ (as he calls it).

VJ drove us to SFO – the Golden Gate. This was one of the key itineraries. It’s just a bridge at the end of the day and nothing extra-ordinary about the Architecture; but there is something special about the place – may be the pacific, the mountains behind, the Alcatraz in the middle, biting cold winds, lot of tourist click pictures, mist covering half of the bridge from top or may be the design of bridge itself. The bridge does have a history and makes one awe as to how they built it with such cold pacific winds and with tech that prevailed a 100 years ago. I learnt that Amercians don’t understand the word ‘tea’, so we had hot cappuccino at the bridge.  VJ took us to crocked street, which goes up and down on a steep slope. We have seen them in movies. This was also something unique to san fansico.

Off to Los Angeles

I had purchased an extra sim with AT&T but we had only one local phone. VJ, nonchalantly gave his smart phone to us for LA trip – so that Shiva and I can call each other if we split somewhere. Archu, Shiva and I stood there flummoxed, trying to grapple with it for a minute – wondering how would one give his phone just like that for 7 days, given that these days smart phones have become quite personal with the advent of watsapp and contains almost everything 😲. Besides, archu will only have his office land line to call when he is out of home, during these 7 days. We argued, we resisted but he won!

I had booked SW airlines to LA and return from San Diego - around one hour flights. SW was super-efficient in all aspects - timing, price and quality of journey. We picked our car from rent-a-car point near the airport. VJ helped us with a GPS and carseat for jannu. I had taken a booster seat from Dubai for Vidur.  It took around an hour and quarter to reach our hotel – Best Western Hollywood Inn. The hotel was right in the centre of all attractions.

We quickly refreshed ourselves and were out posthaste near Rippley’s believe it or not. Shiva wanted to take a picture near the quintessential Hollywood Sign. There was no way we are going to get there in LA traffic that evening. Unfortunately we had just that evening for LA sightseeing. There was a guided tour available at 30$ per person which would cover all the attractions in roughly 2 hours’ time. We dint have to think much before we could get on the open roof mini bus. The tour went directly to vista point for Hollywood sign (you can imagine the relief in my face – after all getting what wifey wants – isn’t that the most important thing for every man!) 😃.

 
We proceeded to Hollywood hills, through celebrity’s houses and glittering streets of Beverley hills. We were dropped at around 8.30pm in walk of fame.  Hollywood walk of fame is nothing but a golden color star emblazoned on the pavement (called as side walk in US) with the celebrity’s name below the start. I was wondering how one could bring so much hoopla for this piece of nonsense. Few were pointing their camera studiously focusing the pavement. Let God have mercy on them.

We had dinner at one of the Indian joints in the same street, bought some souvenirs and returned back to room.

Universal Studios

We checked out early around 9ish to Universal studios – our first theme park for this trip.  It was a long walk from parking to entrance.  The ambience was frabjous. A complete festive atmosphere brimming with holiday makers filled with excitement in their eyes.  Each ride had a 20-30 minute wait in the queue. We first finished the studio tour first, which went for an hour. We covered most of the rides by taking turns in accompanying vidur. Transformer’s ride was a long wait – but was worth it every bit.

We had pizza for dinner and drove to Anaheim for our next halt. It was around an hour’s drive from universal studios. I had booked three nights at Grand Legacy at the Park in Anaheim.

The Magical Disney Land

Disney land was a 10 minute walk from our hotel. VJ kept reiterating to start early in the day to cover all the rides. After a substandard breakfast at the hotel, we walked along with crowd which went like a procession in one direction- towards the park’s entrance. I had taken ‘southern California pass’ which gave access to all the parks viz. Disney, lego land, sea world and zoo. As we got in, we were given a map of the park.  As you walk in, you forget everything as it drags into a totally different world. We were at loss of ideas of what to cover first. We realized the pass also gives us ‘front of the queue’ access to few key rides – serendipity!.  But you can only book one ride for every 2 hours through the special access tokens. So we really had to chalk a proper plan of how to cover the park. SS had carried podi rice lunch for all – God bless her. We were not able to see the 4pm parade fully as we are behind in the crowd.  So we went much ahead of time after a pizza-pasta dinner for the 9pm parade. It was 25 minutes of magnum opus. Jannu was extremely sleepy and cantankerous. After parade, we waited for Skookum fireworks. Both kids had slept off by then. Shiva was in ecstatic tears – never thought we would be so blessed to be in this place. The whole atmosphere in Disney has this magical magnetism that could

ensorcell big crowds.

Next day we covered Disney California adventure. This was very similar to the other park but with a distinct uniqueness.  Cars village was the best part of this park. It jogged our memories of ‘cars’ movie – it was such a perfect archetypal.

Ironically, vidur’s mummy was so thrilled to see these, than the little lad. I went alone on a couple of ripsnorter rides. We were completely knackered by the time we settled for ‘world of color’ show at 9pm. The dazzling fountain show went on for 25-30mins. 


Lego Land – en route from Disney to San Diego

After stuffing ourselves with as much waffles as possible, we got going for San Diego.  Our passes allowed us into lego land as well – and it perfectly falls en route with no detour. We got the real flavor of interstate 5. Frustrating traffic spoiled the beauty of a coastal drive.  We made it a point to do lego land solely for Vidur.  We covered the park in less than 3 hours. Other than a few small rides which jannu also enjoyed, the park was a minion compared to Disney. May be you shouldn’t do that just after Disney. We reached San Diego – Comfort Inn around 7ish. By this time jannu also became a traveler. The moment we checked in to the room, she vivaciously barged into the room – opened all the draw searching for things to play, and in vain jumps on to the bed with TV remote. Vidur helped me carry our bags to the room.

We had planned two days of San Diego with P and V – P was Shiva’s pillani mate. They had twins V and V – 5 yrs of age.  So vidur was eagerly awaiting their arrival.

San Diego –Sea World & Zoo

The breakfast at comfort Inn was much better than Grand Legacy. So we spent 15 minutes more at the table. We reached the much acclaimed sea world around 10am. We started off with the killer whale show at 11am. Strollers were not allowed into the arena – and Jannu slept just before the show. I took the relatively empty back rows so that I can put jannu down.  P&V coaxed SS down near the pool (though it was clearly mentioned ‘wet zone’) – they called it fun. In another 20 minutes SS came dripping wet out of the arena. P was laughing her heart out as if she had her retribution on SS for something that she has done during pillani days 😂.

I was given to understand that the ebullient sea world adventure shows has ebbed due to couple of accidents resulting in death of whale trainer. The dolphin shows were nice, but nothing extra-ordinary. The V3 boys were engaged in gambol throughout the day. I enjoyed V’s company in as much as SS was having a ball with P.  We all went to a nearby Indian restaurant for dinner.

The famous San Diego Zoo was the last day plan. We would go directly to airport from zoo for a journey back to san Jose.  Archu had given too much ‘build-up’ about the zoo. So we went with a lot of expectation. One can imagine what would happen when you go to place like that. Complete puss….The walking trails in zoo were better than the animals. The famous Panda was sleeping when we went there. Felt like throwing a stone at it to wake them up. ‘PV & Sons’ company was a real savior - it made the last two days much more enjoyable in an otherwise middling attractions.

We dropped the car back at San Diego airport and took an impressively smooth SW flight back to San Jose. 


One Day before Vegas

Next day was fully at home. We were preparing Archu and VJ for the upcoming 2 big days. Shiva and I had planned vegas for 2 days leaving kids in san jose with archu athai.  Archu was training herself in feeding vedha. We were so concerned of vedha being alone, that we decided to take vidur’s help in mustering courage. It turned out to be an anti-climax. Vidur was sobbing that day evening – thinking of both of us leaving him. He innocuously gave a valid option  - “you first go, let appa stay here and after two days let appa and you come back…whats the issue?”…My God how do I explain to him “whats the issue”.  We promised him that we are not going next day to put to him to bed. He knew we would go anyway, so he kept repeating “don’t go” for some 50 times that evening.

Two days in The Vegas

We quietly sneaked out for out 11am flight to Vegas. Vidur did see us going, and with a smug look said “ok you go but come back in one day , not two days”.  You can envisage the relief in our face. I smiled, kissed his forehead and said “100% darling” and fled. SW airlines gave us another very convenient ride for an hour and 20mins to vegas. We checked in at Best Western Plus right in centre of 'The Strip'.  The Mirage hotel was right across the road. After fountain show at 5.30pm at Bellagio, we went for MJ live show @ 7pm. we had a fine Italian dinner after that and proceeded to cabaret show. All of them were quite classy – particularly the cabaret – wasn’t frowzy at all.  It’s a completely unique city and a totally different world out there.

I had tentatively planned to send SS back after grand canyon tour, should the kids give a sleepless night to Archu and VJ. Thankfully they both were fine. To my delectation - Archu told me first thing in the morning that jannu was looking for appa at night for some time more than amma!. We kept calling Archu every hour to get an update on kids. Hats off to kiddos, Archu and VJ for pulling this off.

We had to take a shuttle at 6.20am for our flight to Grand Canyon. After a lot of cogitation, I had decided on the half a day tour to South Rim which is the Grand Canyon National Park and much more beautiful than the west rim. I read a lot of reviews about west rim - a supposedly tourist make shift spot.  We took a helicopter ride over the entire south rim and north rim. North rim is not accessible by road. It was our first chopper experience and an eximious one – unforgettable indeed. We got to spend an hour at one of the spot and walked for short distance admiring the aeonian beauty of the canyon. I badly needed more time there. I had to pull myself out back to bus as it was time for return flight to vegas.  It was small 10 seater flight back to vegas which was also a different experience.  We spend rest of the day roaming around vegas, buying some souvenirs, did volcano show at mirage, grabbed a dinner and settled at casino. It was around 10pm when we entered the casino at Harrah’s. Tried our luck with few card games and lost $40 at roulette.

The last few days at San Jose

Archu took us to great mall one day – another mini outlet mall types. She regretted it for a long time!. I went there four times with all three kiddos. The prices were one third of what I see in Dubai which made go bananas on shopping – branded clothes and toys. Archu must be wondering – “what has Shiva done to my brother – made him an oniomaniac”!!..

Aug 9^th – I don’t even remember when I last celebrated a birthday with my sister.  I am sure that’s the case with most of sibling these days.  17 mile drive and Big Sur (CA 1 drive) was the plan. Project A – get all 4 kiddos ready, finish their breakfast, pack lunch, cake cutting and settle them in respective car seat – after all this we felt like achieving a major milestone.  I had my druthers to drive the car all through the day.  17 mile drive was a drive through 17 scenic vista points along the sea side. At one of the vista point we had lunch with sight of lot of walrus and seals. Breeze was frigorific.  We all were exhausted post lunch, wanted to return home. VJ pushed us to drive through for some distance in California 1 drive. I have read that it is one of top 3 most scenic drives in the world. So I did not resist.  For next one hour we were immersed in the enjoying the beauty of mountains and the pacific. Never felt like stopping. After clicking a lot of photos, we had to turn back with kiddos in mind.

The next day we did mystery spot. Another wonderful drive through the forest, but nothing so exciting about the spot. Batteries in our Yukon went down at the mystery spot. VJ had to call road side assistance, who came in about 30 mins. We came home early for evening with K&R (archu’s frds). I was hoping they come with their new pet dog and we will play poker, both going in vain.  We had home delivered pizza dinner with jumbo & co.  VJ had purchased a 16 yr old single malt for a dharu party. SS had apple cedar instead. After one round SS had no clue who and where she was – completely knocked out. For once, it was hitting me as well after the first round. I still suspect, VJ has deliberately mixed something or poured double large in one go – hoping for some entertainment!.

The last day we again went to SFO to see pier 39, which got missed out the previous time. Nice cold evening, pictures in front of Alcatraz and golden gate, lots of walrus, hot coffee, shopping at famous Giradeli (chocolates) and back home.

American coffee, amusement of ‘American’ English, sunscreen lotion, theme parks, Walmart and Costco, splurging on tommy Hilfiger, plenty of jaunts in Yukon packed with 4 kiddos, trip to vegas – on thin ice and plenty of friends and family time – that summarizes our vacation to US.  As the cliché goes “all good things has to come to an end”. Loads of love and thanks to kiddos, archu, VJ for the wonderful holiday. They were sole reason that we took the courage to travel that long with jannu.  I was missing San Jose and archu for a week at least.

On the way back, jannu and vidur slept for good 8-10 hours as it was a night flight. There were lots of seats empty so we took the middle 4 seats altogether and I shifted to a seat one row behind. The

smooth return flight had an impact of wifey and kids as they had jet lag for one long week. They slept at 4pm and woke up at 2am for one long week. I managed my routine fairly well – rather I had no choice but to resume work one day later!.