We've moved on from the "American South West" which didn't feel like "America" at all to us but definitely a region we'd like to return to and explore further. We flew from the quaintly named Albuquerque Sunport.
A region where even the official notices are framed in an interesting way! Such a distinctive style, palette of colours and general atmosphere, I can see why so many artists and craftsmen feel at home here. I also came across this just before we left - further exploration needed!
We flew via Phoenix, Arizona, where the temperature outside was 105F today - forecast 114F. Not sure I could cope with that! Here the airport was the Skyharbor...
We landed in a comfortable 75F with balmy sea breezes and are now in San Diego. Our mindset is changing from the SouthWestern to the Californian, from desert art to metropolitan style as we are immediately charmed by our friends' classy downtown apartment - just across the road from Nordstroms, Starbucks and an elevator ride from the Ralphs supermarket. A block away is the trendy Gaslamp district and on the other side is the recommended Italian restaurant. Our friends have left everything shipshape for us and we feel so privileged to have such an amazing place at our disposal for a few days.
But don't worry, Edward, we plan nothing which might involve this!
