Southern California

The Drive: San Francisco, Santa Barbara, LA, Venice Beach,Santa Monica, Vaisalia, Fresno, Yosimite, San Jose, Stockton, San Andreas, Bear Valley, Reno

The itinerary: met for the first time Paul’s extended family (Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and kids of cousins) and long time friends. Paul also spoke to groups of people about CRS and the work in Afghanistan. He was on channel 49, a Catholic tv station in Fresno, talked on Sunday massess in San Jose (english and spanish mass) and met a garbanzo specialist who spent his life improving the plant. Stan wants to help people in developing countries by giving them seeds for free and will even cover the cost of shipping.

I also got to see my high school friend Gay, who I have not seen in 6 years and met her husband Rob.

Two things that didn’t escape my notice on this trip: one, southern California’s rolling hills and valleys, sans the freeways and mall exits, looks like Afghanistan, albeit with more shrubbery and grasses; and two, all of Paul’s family and most of his friends who we visited served us tacos (salad or tortilla). I enjoyed it and I liked it a lot, but after the fourth visit I was already wanting a good plate of pasta. It’s a southern california thing and it’s very easy to prepare, Paul explained.

We are now at San Andreas visiting Paul’s parents and grandma. Tomorrow we will head up to Bear Valley and play in the snow. Friends and family will trickle in to join us through the weekend.

Click on Home Leave ’07 to see some of the pictures I’ve taken so far.