Another Day in San Diego

     I felt miserable on Sunday. The headline on the front page of the Union Tribune forecast the worst pollen season ever in San Diego. Now with dirty air and high ozone, I need to deal with a high pollutant count. 
   The carbon has become food for the flowers and plants, and the more pollen the worse those with allergies suffer.  I never knew the trees and plants ate the waist from cars and planes. In any case, I downed my sorrows at the Grand Cafe nestled next to the  YMCA. I ordered the short stack of pancakes, an heavy on the syrup.  
   To my surprise, a large plate of cakes on the plate. My stomach had room for two of the four 'batter beaters'. The reminder, I shuttled to my cell on the second floor. I cut the rest into three pieces and wrapped each in  aluminum. I placed each inside my refrigerator, and felt good enough to bus to Lindbergh Field. I breathe pure air at the airport, and I need good air to breathe. 
   Most of the visitors to San Diego wish to go to the world famous zoo. I warn them cars are not needed. "Just get on the number 7 bus that goes east and turns on to  Park Blvd. Avoid speaking to others on the bus since it can be a land mine. Many are homeless and some often speak to themselves.
   Before I walk to the world famous zoo, I exit at the famous Rose Garden. It just east of the Cabrillo bridge that leads me later to the Prado and the senior center. I sit down on a bench and watch the humming birds and bees make love to the great Rose variety. 
   Inside my nap sack is a tuna sandwich, chips and two bananas. A water thermos is always packed inside a long pocket on its side.  The summer Monsoon season arrives in  August and is the cause for many flash floods in the Southwest.  At the zoo it is advisable to eat at high noon in a shady spot. The heavy humidity can put a damper on your  energy.  Drink lots of water, even if you don't feel like it. Use sunscreen freely. 
   There are 10,000 homeless living in San Diego. Some use cardboard for their box spring mattress. I give each a dollar when my wallet is swollen. Some get a E.B.T. card and can go anywhere on buses and trolleys. The City of San Diego has no public restrooms. 
   Before summer, it is wise to carry a sweater or jacket in case it gets cold. The Harbor's mouth usually blows a five or ten mile an hour wind into the city. The closer to the Harbor, the cooler and more fresh. 
   I enjoy the walk to the fish market beside the Midway submarine. The main attraction for Asian tourists is the nurse and sailor celebrating at the end of World War 2. I sometimes buy a fresh catch of the day and eat it raw. I enjoy the smoked Salmon the most. 
   You can get a one day bus and trolley pass for seven dollars. For  Seniors, the fare is only one dollar and ten cents. I take the buses and the trolleys to the Mission Valley Center, the Gas Lamp, Harbor and many other venues. The 901 bus escorts me over the Coronado Bridge. I can see the panorama of the Harbor with its ships, hotels and various piers.  
   Out the back door I went first to get my Mocha at the Seven Eleven. I walked up towards the dumpster and saw another one making his home. A young  kid was wrapped in a blanket. His two toes were exposed to the elements since his socks needed mending. Ahead I saw a crumpled one dollar bill. I picked it up and noticed a few more bills up ahead.
   A few zeros were written on one of the four bills. I tucked them inside my pocket making sure nobody else was looking. I entered the Seven Eleven and picked up the usual: a Mocha, Tropical fruit mixture and two bananas. The new Ethiopian cashier short changed me, but the other apologized for her error and gave me a five.
    I returned to the front steps of the Y and sat down. The 922 Airport bus was nowhere to be seen. . I removed the crumpled bills from my right pocket. I opened one bill at a time: One, two, three, I counted three one hundred dollar bills. I even imagined Ben Franklin winking at me and reminding me of his favorite saying: "A penny saved is a penny earned."
   The bus now came and my bad allergies felt a lot better. I know that God speaks to me in strange ways. On this six o'clock morning, thee would be company and two a crowd. I worked on my football story at Terminal Two. I imagined the beautiful skyline the way it used to look two years ago. Of course with expansion comes some irregular heart beats.

   Monday I felt dizzy and even left the Encinitas Senor Center early. I decided to drive to Kaiser off the Eight freeway. I was in luck, I found the hard to find exit and walked to the third floor. A Dr. Mudd had an opening at one thirty. I stuck around , but was none too happy when I found my blood pressure high and my weight  six pounds heavier. I had not been able to exercise for awhile since the air quality was bad.
   The doctor came in and looked at my chart. "I can't give you any antibiotics since you don't have an infection but a virus."
   "Well Dr. Mudd, I don't go by the book. I have lived 73 years listening to my body through God. I may not be able to sue you but my God in heaven will." He then prescribed the Amoxicllen for me. I picked the medication up downstairs and drove back on the eight back to the Old Town parking lot where  I parked my car at the commuter parking lot. I had already taken a pill and felt renewed energy in my air starved body.
   I bought an ice cold Mocha from the Wrightiington House and sat facing the inner grass area. I spoke to a thin man who waited for his wife. He came from Montana to watch his son graduate from the Marines. He owned a ranch with mule and horses. He guided those hunting for elk and his biggest job was "making sure he returned them in one piece. We slice and package the meat right there."
  Mel gave me his e mail and phone number.  He told me he talked about the big dipper and continental divide. to young kids over a camp fire.

   I went to Ralph's to pick up some cold cuts. The blood pressure machine was on the blink. Dr. Mudd told me about a worker who fixes them. He said they were unreliable since they had been used and abused.
I still felt a lot better even though my labored breathing had turned into a sore throat and my nose into into a broken faucet. Eventually all hotels and apartment will be fitted with AC's. The bad air fosters higher blood pressure and thus heart attack and strokes.

Hotels

 The Sheriton Hotel is my favorite. From its hotel perch, I can see the Coronado Bridge, the skyline of San Diego and Lindbergh Field planes taking off. One of my favorite tourists attractions is the Harbor area. I plant my little Chevy in the Marina Parking lot. To take Harbor to the Drive turnoff and park. The scene is blue. Many sailing boats are painted blue. The  Southwest planes are blue; the ocean is a blue gray.
   Even though not a guest of the larger of the two Sheriton's, I go there for a Starbucks or buy a drink at their bar. On this day, half of the patrons are oriental. "Well, you know what that means?" They have the best taste for healthy foods and the best hotels. I am strapped for a cash. It is the end of the month for a retired teacher, me. I go to the deli between the two buildings. I eat my tuna sandwich and give a few a few bites to Anthony the seagull. 
   I buy a two dollar and fifty cent ice cream cone. My day is complete, or I thought it was until I saw two fishermen trying their luck off the Harbor. I sat down and marveled at North Island. Today I thought I was Charles Lindbergh practicing takeoffs at Dutch Harbor. One fishermen hooked onto a Halibut and a big one at that.
   Oh yes, a single today is only one hundred and fifty dollars for a room for four, not too bad. The rates do change day-to-day depending on the fish.
  


  

Tips on Riding the San Diego Coaster Train.

     The San Diego Padres played the Toronto Blue Jays a few days ago. It felt like fiesta time when I boarded the Coaster train out of Encinitas.  It was almost three o'clock. I should have known better than board it when either the Padres or Chargers are in town. Only a few seats were available, so I just kicked back and enjoyed the scenery standing up. 
    Like always, the young kids had their six packs tucked away and took over the train. I viewed the startled face of a youngster when he saw his Dad drink one can of Bud after another. I felt sorry him since I have been in program for seventeen years. 
    Our next stop would be Solano Beach. It is close to Del Mar and a few miles from Encinitas. The San Diego Fair was approaching. Various trucks unloaded their cargo. Several amusements had already been set up...The chatter on the train turned to loud laughter. Each kid wore the Padre uniform of their favorite player...
   The smart ones got off at Old Town and paid the price for a Green Trolley ticket. It would take them south  Petco Park, home to the baseball Padres...A few Mexican workers tried to ignore the fun and frolic. They scrolled their cell phones in hope the trip would be uneventful...A young kid began to shake. He probably was withdrawing from a mixture of pills and booze...He held onto the upper part of his seat..
   .A conductor told everyone, "There is no drinking on the train after nine at night. We will depart at eleven, and you will be thrown off the train if we find drink on you...You must have a ticket or there is a four hundred dollar fine" .At the end of the  at the end of the ride, a line formed. Everyone seemed smashed.  ...Most got off at the Sana Fe Station.
    For me the Santa Fe Station was my stop. The view of the San Diego Harbor was free and my ecstasy drink for the day.  The blue colored Southwest planes meshed with the blue sails of the Harbor crafts. There was a ten mile an hour westerly wind. The sun was going down and the green reflection of the ocean with the clear blue skies made my day. 
   Whatever stop you decide to get off, each city provides its own flavor of the day. Del Mar has the ponies, Encinitas the Moonlight Bay, and so forth. 

   Some tips to make your train ride go smoother without needing to hit a Starbucks. Buy a Coaster ticket before boarding. The one day Compass pass is for the buses and trolleys only. Again, don't board without a ticket. 
   You can eat and drink on board. I park my car at one of the several commuter stations and coast it to my destination. I pay only forty one dollars a month for everything. For those with a monthly Coaster pass, keep a receipt safely tucked away in case the pass is lost. 
   There is a restroom light on the top right corner of the door. It is available when the yellow light is off. There is fresh water next to the bathroom facilities and a place to throw trash.
   Wear at hat when the sun sits out your window. Some patrons may be intoxicated with booze or drugs. Stay away and ignore when possible. I have even moved to another car when the stench and smell became unbearable.  
   Each conductor has his own peculiarities so show compassion. Some take their job seriously while others are more compassionate. Treat each the same way so don't make their 'ax-to-grind' become yours.
   The Old Town Transit Station does have a bathroom when in operation. Use the one on the train. Inside the deli there is one when it is working. The City of San Diego is notorious for not having public restrooms. The City Fathers believe in over developing the city with convention centers and a more glamorous Harbor. 
   Since my passion is reading and writing, I try to locate away from noisy families anyone too loud on a cell phone or using a radio. Move to a quieter seat. 
   And most important, keep your feet off the "chairs", and your feet inside your shoes. Show compassion for others. It is a darling city ride. 
   I need to get off the trolley now.  I desire to go on the  Merry-go-round at sea port village and eat a spaghetti dinner with my buddies Sylvia Sparrow.