United We Stand: April 2006

Santa Barbara - the gateway to the paradise

Well, I didn't feel very well on Thursday so I listened to Kylowna's advice and took a day off. What an idea?? Excellent. Both staying at home and the weekend ahead made me feel very well:-) I had heard many times how beautiful Santa Barbara was so we went there. The weather was not that good but still.......it is not far and we can do it one more time again some day we thought. It is really worth going there. Very beautiful place indeed. It is something completely different to what we are used to here in LA. Nice buildings in Spanish style, good restaurants, shops, beautiful beaches and mountain views.

Accommodation we found on State Street which is the main street in SB. A cozy motel 5 minutes from the town center.

Santa Barabara's County Courthouse and a beautiful view of the town (or city??)

The streets with their shops and restaurants are picturesque. Reminded me a little bit of Europe.

The best attraction of them all is probably Mission Santa Barbara "the Queen of Missions"

Oh, this was funny. I don't know why she was doing this!?
Hmmm...very interesting. Oh, you know how I love all the cemeteries and graveyards.

Another very nice place is the Sterns Wharf with its Moby Dick. (we are reading with my sixth right now, what a coincidence?!)

And as usual, we admired the houses here. Nice american style.

Educational Weekend at Pierce College

It was called "Farmwalk" and it took place at one of the nine Community Colleges in LA area, Pierce College. Animals, animals and more animals, plus activities, displays, games and music. Everything was very well organized and I dare to say that all the kids who were there enjoyed this day. In some point it was really incredible for us to find this "piece of countryside" right in the middle of the city. It is a very beautiful area by the way and the scent from the fresh-cut grass was just adorable. The attractions we could find there, while listening to a live country band, were:Sheep Shearing, Wool Spinning, Cow Milking, Clydesdale horse, Petting Zoo, Horse Activities including roping, etc.

The visitors were standing in lines to get on this "hay ride".

The animals were very clean and very well loked after (I sound like an expert on farming, hmm).

Who looks more vital and enjoying it??? Can you see that look the cow is giving you?

This was funny. The pony (I am sure it was not a pony but some kind of a miniature horse) itself not that much as the presenter with the cowboy hat. He had such a huge "hickie" (sp.?) on his neck that I couldn't concentrate on the skillful horsie. Can you imagine???? You let your girlfriend (I can not even think about a boyfriend) make this monkey bite the night before you appear in public in front of I don't know how many people!? What was he thinking????

Another concern I had there was the size of horses here. During my stay here I have seen so many sculptures of horses and they seemed so short. First I thought, it was the lack of space but now I see they were all the accurate copies.

See??? Do you understand what I am talking about?? Does it seem shorter than usually to you??? I am not complaining, I just got used to the fact that everything in US is larger than anywhere else in the world, but this horse....? Will his butt pop out one day, or he is done?

A huge THANK YOU

I would like to dedicate THIS post to THIS car which was very reliable all the time, comfortable, modern, fast, safe, expensive, luxurious...............RENTAL!

Last day

It was my mom's name day and also a last day in LA so we went to a japanese restaurant Gyu Kaku and had a......... FEAST!

Day 8,9 - Sequoia National Park

It was my third visit of this park and again incredibly beautiful. This time it was a little bit colder than last time but also winter has its own beauty, right Ky??

oooooooooohh, yes we saw a live bear. BEAUTIFUL!

Day 6,7 - Hollywood Blvd. and Universal Studios

Those two day were also very nice, the weather was great and therefore there was nothing to stop us to have fun.

Obviously the most photographed sign.

The Walk of Fame.

And after a very good lunch we went to our most beloved place........the beach in Malibu.

Where Adela made friends again.

The next day it was Universal Studios Hollywood. Fun for everybody. I was amazed how my mom didn't hesitate and went on all the rides there are. She is brave I need to say. Well, there was some screaming...........aaaaaaghhhh, oooohhh, ughhhhh.

Day 3,4,5 - Las Vegas

The original plan was San Francisco, but somehow we changed our minds and went to Vegas. A very good choice by the way. We stayed at The Tropicana Hotel, which is one of the first hotels in Vegas, right on the Strip and enjoyed our stay every minute. We strolled the Strip, ate delicious food, visited the Hoover Dam again, climbed the Stratosphere and played a little. Kylowna and I went to play roulette but we didn't feel it somehow, right Ky?? Well, I was the greenhorn and Kylowna my teacher. Who do you think lost more money????

Our favourite Starbuck's.

And finally our hotel.

Sightseeing with the best tour guide in the world?????

A little bit of sunbathing while Kylowna was having a spa treatment. ( recharging batteries)

The next day we went to admire our favourite Hoover Dam.

It is deep, I am telling you.

Who would not welcome my mom?? Even Nevada did.

On our way back home to LA we had to stop at Calico, a very romantic place. Remember when we did it at Christmas?

Who is not smiling in the pictures??? Me???

A little morbid I know, but dead people don't leave their handbags on the benches!

Here is the tombstone I forgot to take a picture of last time, remember??

Day 2 - Renaissance Fair

Great place, great fun, great time. Kylowna offered us to go to see this fair, Adela was sick so it was only my mom and me and it was worth going. I am a little used to it here but my mom was amazed how happy, cheerful and friendly all those people were. I will let the pictures speak. Enjoy!