Maybe it’s the heat, and maybe it’s the constant sunshine but I am a happy bunny. Overdosed on vitamin D maybe, but happy all the same.
The people here are incredibly chilled and extremely friendly. Not surprising as they live in a beautiful city with beautiful weather and beaches to die for at every turn.
We arrived at LAX excited and eager to finally soak up some warmth after the freezing depths of winter in New York. We had both ditched the arctic clothing in the knowledge that from here on in cold was a thing of the past. And, still, our four cases are really heavy!
We had booked a rental car for the first week, here it was a necessity. LA is huge! But after arriving at the pickup point via shuttle with enough baggage for a family of ten including the dog, we discovered that the company was a shambles. No cars available, oversubscribed and no communication to let us know. So we booked an Uber and got to our apartment in Westwood late in the evening.
The apartment is comfortable, spacious and has an outside area too. So I can sit and smoke and soak up the rays and just dream of what the future holds for us.
Our next plan was to get a vehicle. A decision had to be made. Were we going to fly to Costa Rica or would we prefer to drive? The decision was a no brainer. Who wouldn’t want to experience such a long and treacherous drive through three of the most dangerous country’s in Central America? Isn’t that what life is all about? Living on the edge, dealing with any situation that arises when it comes rather than avoiding the opportunity in the first place. You miss so much that way. Yes. Flying would be safer, probably cheaper, and less stressful but on the ground you get to experience the sites, the smells and the diverse peoples in a real and very dynamic way.
So off we went in another hire car for the day to find a vehicle. I had researched quite a bit and knew that in Costa four wheel drive was essential. We needed an SUV of some sort with enough grunt to manage the diverse topography and muddy unpaved roads. A jeep came to our attention. Although she had high mileage everything was well looked after and they have a great reputation for longevity if looked after. So after a test drive we did the deal. One thing we hadn’t initially taken into account was the extra tax added to the price. 9.5%! That’s California for you. But we got a good deal on the vehicle and I haggled a bit after realising there was no spare wheel. (Bought the next day from a scrap dealer)
After the lengthy registration process and a hundred signatures we were done. And off we drove, free as birds down the freeway. Now it really feels like it’s actually happening. It has all been a bit of a dream state for me since we left. I think it only really dawned on me in the last few days that this is it. This is freedom. This is our new life. And this is how it’s going to be from now on. Experimental, uncertain, spontaneous. Just as I like it.
There are a few things I want to do to the truck before we head down to Costa. She’s too shiny, needs some dirt to blend in a bit. New shocks, raise the suspension, new springs, check the brakes and basically give her a good and thorough service. And today I am trying to find a way to do this myself. Maybe I can rent a garage space for the day somewhere. I’ll figure it out.
I’ve been watching some documentaries on the history of Los Angeles as I did for New York. There are only a few high rise buildings and I wondered why this was? Space. That’s why. They have a lot of it. Why build upwards if you don’t need to. Also there are earthquakes to consider of course.
When it was first properly settled it was lots of small towns which were divided into square parcels of land and sold off for pennies. The grid system was designed into the development. Then the tram system came into being with Pacific Electric and people like Huntington bought up swathes of seemingly remote and barren lands, financed the tram system to get there, then created more little towns with their unique identities. Each town expanded prolifically. The influx of people to the area was massive. An exponential growth of settlers wanting the good life. A gold rush of sorts. And that’s why its just a massive urban sprawl these days. The smaller towns became a part of the massive whole.
First there was the gold rush, then there was the oil rush, then there was the land rush, then the gold became movie stardom and on and on. A lot of people came to seek their fortunes, many failed only to return to their native homelands penniless but many found wealth and success here.
I am going to enjoy my time here. I will keep you updated.
P.S.
It seems selfish in a way to be having such a wonderful time when the world is in such dire straits. I am praying in my own way for the safety and security of everybody, not just Ukraine. And I hope a resolution is found as soon as possible. Love not war please. We are all one people, we are all one planet. Let’s be nice to each other shall we?
