Patiently awaiting the completion of my Peace Corps service over the final months, one of my driving inspirations was a tour west during baseball season.  I’d bus and rail toward manifest destiny stopping to spend time with friends and family and viewing as many teams play in as many parks as possible.  Thanks to the invitation to the wedding of a good friend in California in early July, I was able to make good on aspects of my visualization. 

Arriving several days early to San Francisco and graciously hosted by Ben, and Brian and Sarah, my first treat was watching the Cubs play the Giants in beautiful AT&T Park where Barry Bonds made famous the bay’s inlet over the right field bleachers.  It was sunny and the beer sat well as local fans enjoyed beating the National League’s best team. 

The next day I traveled to San Jose where the wedding was going to be held the following day.  Finally enjoying my nation’s holiday in the states after several years abroad, we dined and watched fireworks out the windows of the International Suite high above the pedestrian viewers below.  The wedding was gorgeous with Pearl playing the part of mysterious princess to Maroof’s benevolent dictator.  They sat on the stage of the new rotunda building within city hall’s complex as an imam lead the proceedings in Arabic and English.  Throughout the evening I enjoyed the company of Steve (a fellow Peace Corps volunteer) and several acquaintances I met the day before.  The delectable buffet-style spread included Moroccan tagine, wrapped grape leaves, Caribbean chicken, and fried rice among other exotic dishes.

After the wedding I returned to San Francisco where I stayed with old friends again, attended an outdoor music festival, and saw an advanced screening of Thoroughly Modern Millie at Broadway at the Bay in San Mateo. 

On Tuesday, a short plane ride took me to LAX where Moshay, yet another friend from Peace Corps picked me up and we enjoyed Guinness near the beach.  Throughout my time in LA I stayed in Hermosa with my great friend from childhood, Eric.  A relaxing day on the beach preceded a tour of the Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown, a tour of Venice beach with Moshay and Michael from Peace Corps, and a night out on the town in Hollywood where the only celebrities I saw were on the sidewalk-lined stars.  The steely undulations of the concert hall, another brain-child of Frank Gehry, form a striking image among the palm trees and skyscrapers.

Perhaps the best day of the trip began with coffee in Hollywood where we stayed with one of Eric’s friend after the night out.  The first activity was disc golf at the nation’s (world’s) first course.  Created in 1976, the course even retained one of the original baskets.  Next, failing to book a ticket for the 3D version of the Journey to Center of the Earth, we saw Steve Carrell in Get Smart at a theater in Pasadena.  Holding off on dinner until Dodger dogs came with a beer, we headed to Chavez Ravine to watch the Dodgers host the Marlins.  Three runs in the first held for the Marlins until the Dodgers scored one in the ninth.  With energy to spare, we headed over to West Hollywood and hung out with a cool group of friends from Bradley and Chicago among other places. 

The final day included an attempt at surfing and a good deal of lounging and recuperation before the early morning flight back to the grind.

-Bart-