Wednesday, July 23, 2008

We're Baaaaaack!!! (Grrrr)

I want to say that we're tanned, rested and ready (kind of like Nixon for 2008), but that would be a lie. I've never managed to turn into the one big freckle I imagined was possible when I was a youngster to get that coveted all-over tan, and gave up years ago. Let's just say I didn't suffer any serious burns. Other than carpet. he.

Ok, TMI!

And I have to admit that Hubby had to drag me kicking and screaming onto the plane back. Not because I was afraid of flying, amazingly enough---but because I just didn't want to come home!

Speaking of flying---I did it! I've had a serious, I mean SERIOUS phobia about flying which intensified after 9/11 and an incident that happened with Hubby's family. Not going to go into it in this post, but getting on a plane hasn't been an option for around 11 years.

I did it without meds or booze to help me along too! Hubby MIGHT be able to golf again next spring once the crunchy little bones in his hand have mended, but to me, the whole trip was worth a little discomfort on his part.

So on the first leg of our trip, we flew down to San Diego and rented a car to drive out to Coronado Island (it's really an isthmus, but who's counting?). Since this was for our anniversary, Hubby went whole hog and got the luxury sedan. Woohoo!

We stayed at the historic Hotel Del Coronado. I'd been there a couple of times while growing up, but Hubby had never been. This has been on my list of "places I'd like to go someday with Hubby", so it was really exciting for us!



We got a King room (hah--more on that later) in the old part of the hotel, and it truly is a Grand Old Lady, architecturally and historically. And the service was just amazing, for the most part.

The summer is obviously the busy season, and there were a lot of people there. Many groups from all over the country and the world.

Since I haven't traveled afar in the last several years, I guess I just forgot how culturally insulated we've been in our little mountain town. Seeing and interacting with an incredibly diverse array of families and groups was really a joy. A little funny too.

The first day we were there, we spent a little time "people watching", listening to all the different languages and taking in the total ambiance while sitting in the courtyard. Later that evening when we were leaving for dinner, Hubby had to run back up to the room to get our valet ticket so I sat out front and waited.

An Asian family walked by me---and don't ask me to be more specific, because I'm simply not astute enough to recognize all the differences. There was a mom, a dad, another adult female and 5 youngsters, the oldest was about 10. They were all very small (lots of people are small compared to Hubby and I) and wore coordinating summer outfits of t-shirts and shorts. Their little boy, who looked to be about 5 or 6 suddenly broke away and raced ahead full speed.

I waited for one of the adults to call to him, and expected to hear some fabulously exotic language.

Instead, the mom opened her mouth and Fran Drescher fell out: "AWWWWSTIN! STOP! D'ja hear me or what? Red Light! Red Light! AWWWSTIN! Get back heah! Don't make me chase yewwwoooo!"

I laughed so hard at my own doofusness that I almost fell over. ;-)

25 comments:

Unknown said...

I went into my favorite nail place. It is run by an extended Asioan family (I cannot be more specific either) and all of them speak in their native tounge. However I get this new girl...and she had the thickest southern accent I had ever heard. I laughed so hard I had tears and had to wait five minutes for the laughter to stop.

Star said...

We leave Tuesday fo San Diego. It is our first trip there. We are not staying on Coronado (the hotel looks fabulous!) but will be there for a day to see my BIL get command at the Naval Base. Any ideas for places to go, or to eat?

Brenda said...

Glad you're home and happy you had a good time! Carpet burns huh? :-)

KrisMrsBBradley said...

Looks like a beautiful place to take a vacation! I'm a little jealous!!

After the last of the kids in my family moved out, my parents started taking in exchange students. They had a great time with them, and I loved taking my "little sisters" around to experience Texas.
One of the favorites that I met was a girl who was born to Korean parents, but was adopted by a German family as an infant. Hearing her speak for the first time was a little hysterical!

Anonymous said...

The food at the Coronado isn't that good however there is a Loew's resort further down the road (I think) which was very good two years ago.

I haven't been to San Diego proper in some time and can make no recomendations.

The movie Some Like it Hot was shot there and the banquet hall was designed by Frank Baum, author of The Wizard of Oz.

Anonymous said...

OMG that's funny.

I just got back from BlogHer... Met people I read, and even though I KNEW they were from New York, Virginia, Texas, Tennessee, etc... When their accents came out I was shocked! Very astute on my part, huh?

Beth said...

Good to have you back - even better that you had such a fabulous (and well-deserved) vacation.

Litzi said...

Hi Attila,
Welcome back! It sounds like you and Mr. Attila had a glorious time vacationing in San Diego. When I was a kid, my parents and I stayed at the Hotel Del Coronado for a few days and it was like stepping back into a previous era. Quite posh and elegant, like the Empress Hotel in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

Bok Choy!

Anonymous said...

I am so glad you had such a wonderful vacation. It looked so beautiful and relaxing! Well deserved.

I am with you on the flying thing. I've told my mind I am going to do it soon. I just miss out on too much.

Welcome home.

XOXOXO

Ashley's Mom said...

Welcome back, and I am still so jealous that you got a vacation and I didn't!

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad you got a little R&R. I also think you need to get out a little more:)

Carpet burns! Do tell!

Attila the Mom said...

Star---NTSC is right. The restaurants at the Del aren't the ultimate, and are pretty freaking heavy on the wallet, it being a resort and all (the bottled water in our mini-bar was 7.50!!!!!). Except the Sunday Brunch in the Crown Room was to die for.

The places we went that we liked the most on Coronado?

The Coronado Boathouse was one. I had the macadamia encrusted halibut and fell in love. The Citrus Thai sauce they serve with their Calamari was the best! http://www.coronado-boathouse.com/

If you like Asian food, the Bistro D'Asia and Sushi Bar was great. Hubby had the dancing scallops. I took the plunge and actually had sushi for once. It's a "fusion" restaurant, so you won't find a lot of traditional items there outside of the sushi. We ordered the crab wontons, and it came with a really different kind of sauce than we were used to---a red pepper sweet and sour. Fabulous!

We went to the Costa Azul http://www.costaazulcoronado.com/ one night. Great ambiance, food, and very family friendly.

If you're in San Diego, take a trip down to the Gaslamp District. There are about a hundred places there---everything you could possibly imagine. We had lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe which was fun. They have a House of Blues and I'm kind of bummed that we didn't have time to check out Croce's (Jim Croce).

stinkypaw said...

Happy to read you had "good times" with Mr. The hotel looks gorgeous and people watching will always surprise you!

Happy you're back!

Green-Eyed Momster said...

All we saw was Mission Beach when we were there. It was a nice beach though! We stayed at my dad's and saved lots on the hotel. Next time, we're staying at the Hotel Del Coronado and I'm going to use my Fran Drescher voice the whole time!! :) I'm so glad that you are back safe and sound....and carpet burned ;) What anniversary was this? Our 17th is on the 28th!! No carpet burns for me though...the tat is still healing!! Hugs!!

Green-Eyed Momster said...

Besides, they frown on that sort of thing happening in the Red Lobster!! :) LOL!!

Mrs. G. said...

Welcome back!

phlegmfatale said...

awww, sounds like a fabulous getaway, even if you did have to get on a plane. Good on you!

Mary said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mary said...

The accent thing just killed me! LOL! Glad you're back!

We used April's red special occasion plate from "Aunt Attila" on her Gotcha day, and wrote about it on there. We thought of you!

Anonymous said...

I am SO glad to hear that you had a fun vacation! Glad you're back too 'cause I always enjoy your stories! That Fran Drescher woman would have irritated me!

Big Pissy said...

BWAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!

That's too funny!

Glad you had a good time! :)

carmachu said...

Thats so typical you, to run into that!

Jan said...

Glad you had a good time. This is a fun post. I've never understood the fear of flying thing. I didn't fly until I was 20, then I fell in love with it. After 9/11, I got on a plane in the next month, I wasn't going to let the a**es get to me.

contemporary themes said...

Glad you had a great time. And, Fran's language is an exotic one! LOL!

Queen Goob said...

I know, I'm late making my rounds. I'm so proud of you for getting on that plane! Looking forward to the additional posts about your vacation.

I laughed out loud at the Fran Drescher Asian lady - but you have to admit, you still need an interpreter with Fran.