Tuesday afternoon

I just tried to do a catch up blog post up until the time I arrived in San Luis Obispo. It was hot but there was a familiar face at the airport and an air conditioned vehicle along with a big chillybin full of cold water, pepsi, nectarines and peaches and a big bag of Doritos!! (The Doritos weren't in the chilly bin by the way!!! lol It was SO nice to be met and to travel with someone pointing out all the points of interest on the way!! Truly awesome.

I was tired but overtired if you know what I mean - we went for a walk around the square -oh no, we checked in first and they upgraded my room to one with a hot tub!! Very kind of them, but it's 100 degree heat outside!! What the?? rofl Going in to the building though was interesting - very old looking - all kind of Mexican/Spanish hacienda and brick stuff - really cool. As you went into the place where my room was though - there was a formal little area of seating (almost 30's in it's appearance) and there were LILIES. Well, you know what lilies remind us all of!! and yep - it was kind of like being in a funeral parlour!! Yikes!!! lol Even had Matt looking sideways!! hehehehehe

There were some children doing a wee private performance for their grandparents that they had choreographed when we were coming out - and I was so enchanted, got a couple of photos and we sat down and watched the performance and applauded at the end. It was soooo great - honestly, two girls and a boy and just so natural and hilarious. The young boy even KNEW where New Zealand was as they had studied it at school!!! lol I was VERY IMPRESSED.

Have some photos and will post them whenever I can download them or bring back the hard copies to attach to the blog! lol

Before going out to Cambria I went to the local supermarket - yahooooo!!! lol What amazing fresh produce they have there and very reasonable. I couldn't resist and bought two huge bags of grapes! They are WEIRD though - they don't use butter or margarine on their sandwiches! lol They just put the spread straight on!

Yesterday - Monday we went out to Cambria (it's kind of similar to Waiheke Island in feel) lots of artists, little shops and wineries on the way, and of course the ocean!! The coolest part was seeing a ground squirrel - a live ONE not road kill eating something beside the road. There was a little gecko at the beach too on the log. Oh just such a neat place!! Really enjoyed that part of it.

We had lunch at a Mexican Restaurant and had a marguerita (well, I had TWO - AND spooned all the ice out (it was kind of like a flavoured slushie!!!) ) OH YUMMMMMMMMMM Best Marguerita I have EVER had um well MargueritaS...lol and the chicken enchilada wasn't bad either!!! hahahahah

Got out a DVD called And all that Jazz - Of course Matt fell asleep and snored like a trooper but I enjoyed it. Matt went home and I hate to admit it, but instead of eating dinner I dined on Doritos, grapes and a packet of Starbursts that had been left behind!! heheheh Watched some television

TUESDAY.....

Woke up at 4am......read for a while, dozed for a while and then finally got up at around 7.30am. Showered, dressed, tidied and then thought...ok, now what!! lol So, I went out for a walk around the Square, figuring I would find the Information Centre that had been pointed out to me on Sunday night on our walk. Do you think I could find it? Accidentally, I pushed my way into the Santa Lucia bank before opening time - I didn't read the notice - just pushed the door and it opened so I went in. I wondered why the staff looked so startled but when I was leaving after getting my instructions - realised the next person coming in was attempting to use a key to unlock the door!! ROFL.....Yep, interesting eh!! Lucky, I didn't look dangerous.

I thought I followed the instructions from the bank but I still couldn't find my way - and every time I would pause in thought and try to focus on where I might be, some courteous driver would come to a halt - thinking I wanted to cross the road - and as I was too embarassed to admit I was just a ditz....I would cross the road and then try and sneak back a little further down!! Got to a corner though and a lady carrying coffee asked me if I was looking for something. I said I was looking for Information.....meaning the Information Centre and of course...she's saying........What SORT of Information do you want!

I kid you not guys, they really do speak in an entirely different way. I am having trouble at times making myself understood or understanding what it is or how they operate!! rofl

At this point in time I am the Paso Robles Public Library using a temporary library card to use their computer. First of all, I had to sign my life away and hand over my passport all to be given a card that was for use in the childrens library when I tried to hand it over at the reference desk!! lol However, I have it sorted - the Dewey System is alive and well and all is good with the world.

Earlier today we went to Starbucks for coffee, Walmart for some pharmacy stuff (like my fish oil capsules which I didn't bring with me) and some extra socks - somehow I seem to have only bought one pair with me. Don't know HOW that happened.

Ok......After Walmart - we drive ALL the way to the Post Office to get stamps - and I needed an interpreter there too!! rofl We stopped at Matt's work so I could use the rest room and the computer to email all you guys and Shawna and Jason were there so Shawna got out of the car and gave me a big hug!! Their little godson, Andrew was in the back of the car and kept asking what my name was!!

Eric and Shawna recommended Eberle (said like Eb er lee) Winery, so off we trotted in perfect time to have two tastes of wine before doing a little tour of the winery. They have caves underneath (man made) which are gorgeous. Cool and kind of mystical in a way with all the suble lighting - very amazing and got some great photos!!! Yes, I bought some wine - the Chardonnay was very potable!!!