Big Sur to Salinas, San Fran to Sacramento

Hello all,

It hasn't been that long since an update, but it feels like an age. I am sitting in the most beautiful old stately home that has been converted into a hostel in Sacramento, CA, surrounded by ornate clocks and huge books on California, so it feels appropriate that I sit down to write a letter. Digitally. To a whole host of unknown people.

So it perhaps isn't appropriate at all, but I am teaching this house a thing or two about progressive technology.

Where do I begin? The beginning, I suppose. As I wrote you previously I was still in LA, the odd city of odd that treated me very nicely. Tuesday morning Pedro picked me up, we found Katie (an Australian I had invited on the trip the night before whilst at a gig) and set our compasses North. The vague plan was to take Highway 1 the entire way to San Francisco, stopping in various towns along the way when we needed. Pedro drove, as neither Katie or I were a) on the insurance, or b) experienced at driving on the wrong side of the road. So we took it in turns to play navigator/DJ (DJ Death Ray Gray at your service) and photographer for Pedro. My favourite part of the first day was stopping at a small beach just south of San Luis Obispo. It was a small inlet/cove with big houses that fronted right onto the sand, and 'Private Beach' signs abounds. It felt like we were sneaking into another world, and we probably were.

We stayed the night in San Luis Obispo, then headed off fairly early towards Big Sur. The fog was incredible as we set off, but slowly the sun burnt it away to reveal the most lovely coastline. Much like the twelve apostles but with rolling hills just next to the sea. We ended the day watching kids play and bonfires burn on the beach in Carmel.

The third day saw an exploration into Salinas and Monterey. I left my travel buddies to have breakfast and went to explore the John Steinbeck Centre, of which I was the only patron for a while, until a couple of retirees joined me. It was a really wonderfully set up place, lots of interaction for kids and insight for those a little older. It was nice to see the area in which he grew up and that had such an influence on his writing. Although, it has changed considerably, and would now probably be unrecognisable to those who once lived there. I like to think that I still got an idea of what it was though.

From there we rolled up to Santa Cruz, the quintessential beachside town, full of amusement centres and rides along the foreshore. It reminded me of the way English beachside towns are set up, although the weather was considerably better. And from there, to the bright heart of Northern California, San Francisco. I had been before, but still enjoyed it just as much. I met old friends for a picnic in the park, which reminded me SO much of summer days spent in Edinburgh Gardens at home. San Fran, like Melbourne, but bigger and with more mexican food.

So that brings be here I guess. I took the greyhound yesterday, which I loved. Time spent travelling and staring out the window as the scenery rushes past is never time wasted. Cheap, a cross-section of people, book reading time? Winner. I think I will spend more time travelling this way if possible. I saw STRUNG OUT play last night, to a oddly empty venue, with a rather subdued crowd. I showed those Sacromentoians how to enjoy a show, I shall tell you that much. A lady came up to me after and said that I was her favourite, that those boys couldn't touch me. HA! DANCING SKILLS MAKE ALL THE FRIENDS. I guess when you know no one it makes it even easier to act the fool, even though knowing people doesn't usually stop me anyway. I walked home through the very quiet streets in a balmy air, which was nice. I still am not a fan of hot weather, but the nights are lovely.

And that is all there is, for now. I am waiting on Nick, a friend of my old couch-surfing wonder-hosts Nathan and Aaron (from LA last trip), to swing by from San Fran to pick me up, where we will venture North towards Redding, to visit Nate and his ranch. Rad!

Keep me posted of all your goings on, and i'll do the same.

Rachel

PS. Here are  my two lovely travel companions, being hilarious, as they are wont to do.

Angeles

Welcome to Hollyweird.

It does its name justice certainly, and whilst I have had a bunch of fun, I am looking forward to hitting the road. Pedro, the delightful new friend I shall be ridesharing with, is on his way to pick me up from a hostel in Hollywood, and then we are hitting the road! He is super. His lady friend took us out last night to a cute bar with some really good bands, and I taught some Americans how to dance. I also made them listen to Smith St Band, and then they made me listen to Natalie Imbruliga. So it was aaaallmost a perfect evening.

So what have I been up to? Wandering mostly. I walked until I found a dark looking Mexican bar the other night, and sat, wrote and ate delightful Tacos. Edgar, the bartender, and my new friend who sat next to me were lovely, and indulged this funny girl in a good ol' political discussion, and even seemed interested in what I had to say! Poor souls, I hear you all mutter. I did give them fair warning before I started, so it is their own fault. They had a lot to say as well, so we ended up talking til some hour of the morning, when I decided it was time to wander back to the hostel again.

I went to AMOEBA yesterday, partly to escape the heat, and hung in koreatown with an Irishman from the hotel. He had some great things to teach me about the Irish music scene, and it going to email me a whole bunch of bands that I should get into. We ate some crazy korean tofu (which was THE BEST) and just walked around. Neither of us were interested in many of the tourist traps, so it was good just to hang out.

That pretty much brings us up to date I think. I have an american number now, which is useful, so don't bother with the Australian number for a while, as the simcard is tucked safely away for a few months. Thanks for the emails so far, I shall reply soon I promise!

I have included the obligatory picture of my food.

Love Rachel

6am in the city of angels.

WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING UP SO EARLY?!

This update may have two versions, as I just typed out one and now it seems stuck in uploading limbo. We shall see.

To answer the first question, my couchsurfing host ran away into the desert at 5am, therefore I had to hit the streets before the moon had gone to bed. Gargh. I have found a Starbucks, am drinking some terrible coffee, and catching up on the web-happenings.

LA? So far it has been pretty interesting. I got in yesterday morning after having watched the sun rise as we flew eastwards towards it. I adventured on forty billion trains and buses to North Hollywood, where I found Mr Punk Rock Danny, my host for the day/evening. He is a funny guy, stuck in the 90s skate punk mindset but has a great passion for travel and couchsurfing. He loves LA, and loves it on foot and public transport, which is rare. We traipsed around China town, little tokyo, little mexico, Korea town...all on foot and Metro. It was a great way to get a feel for the city, although it was pretty darn hot. As the sun set we hung out at the skate park and drank beers whilst talented kids did kick flips and Danny commentated. I made friends with some 12 year olds, and then we walked home so I could pass out from the jetlag. I didn't end up seeing Red City, but honestly, I don't think I would have stayed awake!

Meeting up with Pedro, my rideshare, in a few hours. Then up the coast we shall head! Will be nice to get out of the city.

That shall do. I shall read more nerdy essays and drink more terrible coffee.

Cheerio.

R

In the sky.

Hello hello all.

I write you from 6586 miles south west of Los Angeles. It is sunny outside with angelic cloud surrounds, and we're racing towards that infamous date line. I am listening to the new Gaslight and have somehow lucked out and scored a seat with huge leg room and no one sitting beside me. I said to a few people that I was beginning to get worried that everything is going a little toooo well. So fingers crossed the world doesn't have something nasty waiting for me around the corner. You know what? I am fierce when I need to be, so bring it on world. Lioness hits LA.

I am aiming to hit the ground running. Off into the urban jungle, finding my first couchsurfing host in North Hollywood, explorations and chats and then off to Red City Radio tonight. I'm meeting up with some other travellers at some point and then we're heading North via the coastal route, headed towards SF. I haven't met these people as yet, BUT FEAR NOT HOMEBODIES, I am not a fool and will not be taken for one.

As a digression from the road ramblings, big big big huge thank you to all who came out for dinner/drinks/rants/hugs last night at Gaso. It was grand to see everyone and the drinks and lack of sleep are playing into my favour right now. Although I feel a little ordinary, if I can stay awake for another 4 hours and THEN sleep, I beat jetlag. Yes, it is all a competition and I will win. Also big thanks to my Black Radish ladies for my extra special care package. You will both be disappointed to know that I did not bring the book, but I am out here to make new friends and influence people AND I WILL NOT BE TAKEN FOR SOMEONE WHO WOULD READ SUCH TRASH. Ha. I am reading a collection of Australian essays from the last year, so people are mostly just going to not talk to me for fear of rants and boredom.

I guess that is that. Short and sweet to begin with, but I shall write when the real adventure begins.

Jars of clouds and red wine,

Rachel

And here we are, at the beginning.

I read an article at the beginning of this year that focused on the American education system and the inherent flaws within. You'll find it here, and it is a very interesting read if you have a bit of time on your hands (GO ON!). The one thing I took from it, was simply this:

"I want young people to write 500 words a day. I think there’s nothing harder than writing 500 words a day. I try to do it every day. You know how hard that is. I think kids ought to work twice as hard as they do."

This struck a chord with me. I was at a point in my life where I was shaking the very foundations of myself, just to see what would fall from the branches. A time when I was wanting to strip away everything that I didn't like and start again. This is how I will do it, I thought. A challenge. And so I did. I saved this blog name and aspired to publish the stream of consciousness that came of it. That part did not eventuate, due to technological difficulties and a desire to keep certain streams private. But my journals are fuller, and my head clearer. I made some big decisions and here I am, 8 months on, on the verge of taking off into the wind. 

Therefore although this blog was named for a different purpose, it is that purpose that toppled the first domino that lead me to change a whole lot of things. So it is fitting that I will use it to record the ramblings of my journeys, and though they may not be five hundred words in length, well, I don't think that is the point anymore. Do you?