ENCINITAS LEARNING TO SURF
I learned how to surf in Encinitas through sheer will. I got a board and would go out religiously every day for a couple weeks before I even stood up the first time. It really took patience, passion and persistence. But boy when I started catching waves was I ever happy I stuck it out!
ENCINITAS BURRITOS
There was a burrito place in Encinitas that I would go to all the time .. they did something to make the burritos addicting, I think it was the fried plantains.
THE WINE LADY ROOM MATE AND A DOG OF A DEAL
The first place I moved into in Encinitas was with a room mate.. Private dwellings seemed out of my budget, or at least I was unwilling to pay the high cost of living in one of the best cities in the world. So for about $750 a month I had a roommate, a private bedroom and a space for my dog.
My room mate and I hit it off while we room mated together, often hanging out while she drank wine every night. She was fun, a nice lady. Her boy friend offered to watch my dog while I was in India. 3 months later when I tried to track him down he was nowhere to be found. I guess he loved Gold as much as I did and didn’t want to give him up. I was quite devastated but somehow got over it. Gold if you’re reading this from heaven now, I still love you.
UNDERAGE NIGHTS IN OCEANSIDE
I remember craving to socialize and meet new people and I was still too young to go to bars or clubs etc where there was drinking. But in Oceanside there was a club that allowed people younger than 21 to come and dance and connect. It was only once a week. I would go every week and at the peak of these parties I remember just having a ball and thinking about my friends in St. George if they had any idea what they were missing. I felt like I had really thrust myself into a new life and a new way and I was enjoying my freedoms and escaping from a small town.
TIJUANA TRIP
San Diego is on the border of Mexico and my adventurous self felt the call to go to Mexico one night. I only had $20 in my pocket but I thought what’s the worse that could happen.. I had no idea how much it costs to get around Tijuana but I figured it would be part of the adventure.
I made it to the border that at the time was surprisingly easy to pass through into Mexico.. No customs officials, no showing a passport, nothing, just a turnstyle gate!
I met up with some kids that were shocked I was going into Tijuana by myself at night. They invited me to share a cab with them (thank goodness) because the cab itself to get to the main downtown of Tijuana where the action is cost $20.. We all split it. I still had some money for a drink and some tacos and we all shared a cab back. I spent exactly $20 and had an amazing time.
Unfortunately when I got back it turns out my car got impounded for improperly parking somewhere .. this would cost me hundreds of dollars I didn’t really have at the time and strand me for a few hours until I could sort it out. Fortunately I was on the US border side.. As the sun was rising and I still reflected on how much I enjoyed the adventure of making it in and out of Mexico my first time for $20.