Day 11: Diversity and new cars

After yesterday, I was ready for a nice sleep.  Brian and Sarah both made me feel I had friends in the area, and so  i was determined to get the car business out of the way and get on with the day.

Unfortunately a group of young 20somethings had other ideas.  At 10.30pm they all decided to go out.  To where I have no idea.  Lots of whooping and shouting and car horns.  I've since realised that the car horns were more likely them locking their cars, but at the time each beep was greeted with an expletive.

Part of me was tempted to stick my head out around the door and see if I could join them.  After all I was here to try new things.  But a chorus of "Moves like Jagger" from one of them made me decide that was no longer on the cards.

I'm not convinced that my window shut properly here, or is possible made from glass paper.  Cars no problem, but motor cycles and muscle cars racing up and down go from exciting to monotonous fairly quickly.  That coupled by the constant buzz of the fridge in my room meant I dozed rather then slept.  At 2am the horde returned.  "Dude, you need like two cherries haw haw haw" was the only legible thing I heard.

And so the sun started to rise, joined with a chorus from crows and seaguls.  I knew I had to face the car company.  I worked out my route, then hopped in the shower.  Man I miss the showers at Bishop's Ranch!  They had a seat and covered you with water.  This in comparison was like trying to use up the last few drops in the hose before the water runs dry.

But washed and routed off I went.  This was the first culture shock.  I left what must be a fairly poor part of town, into cliff sided roads and the smell of pine trees in a matter of minutes.  I found the airport, parked up and spoke to a really nice lady who told me not to worry.  These things happen and here's a new car.  I asked how much it might cost, but she didn't think it would be a huge amount as i took out the insurance.  So all I need to do now is look after this car and pray that there isn't any hassle at the airport.

Somehow I took a wrong turn and ended up in Monterey, Fisherman's Wharf.  So I decided to go check it out.  Still petty early in the morning, so not many tourists but lots of joggers.  It was nice, and I found the aquarium, which I'm planning to go and see tomorrow.  I also had a muffin and a drink for breakfast.   Mmm there is nothing like a muffin in the morning.

I came back to the hotel, because I'd scheduled some Face Time with Mum, Dad and the girls.  It wasn't working :( I think it must be something to do with the hotel security settings.  So I went out again, partly to brave the car and learn to drive proper like, and to see Point Lobos Reserve.  Wow!  I headed down south, out of Monterey and into Carmel.  I only skirted the town, but the homes were amazing.  Such contrast to where I am staying.  The views were outstanding.  I stopped several times and in the end went into the Reserve itself.   I didn't see any otters, but I did see hundreds of Japanese tourists.  They were quite as cute, floating on their backs trying to open clams, but at least I saw some wildlife.

It was nearing 1pm, and I was disappointed not to find a cafe or shop, but instead I headed back into a place called the Crossroads.  Nice little shopping centre with a safeways.  I was feeling pretty knackered, so I decided to make some sandwiches and get a microwave meal for tonight.  That way I could go out if I wanted, or stay in.  No harm, no foul.

Just realised that this is the halfway point of my sabbatical!

So its now 3pm and I'm back at the hotel.  I feel like there is still a lot of the day I should be using up, but its pretty grey out there.  I was hoping it would brighten up, and I think it is just starting to, but i need a nap :))

One good thing came out of last night.  I got more ideas for my novel.  I was going to have one of the main characters wake up and explore the town, but now I have some experiences I can work in which might help flesh the story out.  Going to do that after my nap lol

Take care all