Survivor of Deadliest Nazi Death March.

 "I am related to Ghengiis Cahn.  So watch what your say!"
   A frisky 88 year young gentleman greeted me with these words. Table number 5 often serves more than just nourishment at their Encinitas senior center lunches. Horst Cahn is one of them. I made the mistake of interrupting one of those who survived imprisonment in Auschwitz for three years.
   The Encinitas' Li'l  Oak Cafe  serves lunches to seniors. A donation of four dollars is requested unless your pockets are threadbare. There are Thomas, Abe, Barbara, Gregorio, Ron, Cahn, and me. The lunches are adequate, but not for those with dancing feet. Horse Cahn is are latest visitor to join our table 5 .
  "Look. Look at the numbers on my arm!" A muscular right arm shot up. It revealed large numbers tattoo on his arm. He seemed right proud of it. I could not believe him when he told us his age. He was too well equipped for a man of 88 years. No more could I speak. He now took over.
    I asked this energetic man how he survived Auschwitz.
   "I was very athletic growing up in Essen, Germany. I entered many gymnastic contests and played other sports. I also helped my Dad who worked for their public electric company. Later, my knowledge of electrical work kept me busy. The Germans always needed some electrical work and I was the man."
    "When did the Germans arrest you and take you to Auschwitz?"
    "They took me and my family in 1942 to the labor camp. My parents went one way, to the gas chambers, and I to the barracks. I was rather happy they died immediately. I would not wanted them to suffer. I was strong and never stopped working. Those who couldn't work were thrown in the ovens and their remains buried in ditches I dug. A commandant walked over to me and told me to follow him. He placed a rifle to my head. I knew his son fought at the front."
    "If you shoot me, my God will make sure your son dies. From that moment on, he became my best friend. He fed me extra portions of raw vegetables. We usually were fed potato skins whereas the soldiers ate the potatoes."
   
    Who rescued you?
   "First I was one of ten survivors of a death march. The Germans wished to hide themselves since the Russians had broken through their lines. They had me at the head of the line. The Russians found only one hundred in the camp. Fifty later died. As long as they had this marching detail, they avoided  going to the front to be confronted by Russians."
   "After they fed us some vegetables, I asked them for warm clothing. They told me to remove the clothes from the dead German soldiers. Being Jewish, I had to obey the commandments. 'Thou shall not steal."Only one hundred remained from the camp out of 4000. Of those 100, fifty soon died. I weighed no more than eighty pounds at the end of the war. I ended up in Czechoslovakia and a farmer took me in. Soon I regained the lost weight.
   "The German farmer came to my room and told me he had hired a girl 'Just right for you. Do you wish to meet her?' I found her just wonderful and attractive. We were married by a Jewish rabbi within  the year. A military Transport out of Germany took us to America. We moved to Rochester, New York in 1955 and I became a chef. In 1975 I bought a home in La Jolla and later sold it. I opened up a deli in Cardiff and bought a home not far from there.

   The next day Horst was at it again. No matter who is speaking, he always interrupts with, "Do you want to know something? Do you wish to know why my barber charges me more for a haircut?" He removed his cap and reveals a scalp that reminds everyone of the Sahara Desert. "It takes him a long time to find a place to cut."
    "Hey you, don't sit so close to Barbara. she is my girl friend." Teh  It is one of the best meals Encinitas has had for our senior lunches." Barbara is the 84 year old who is related to the wife of Henry the Eighth.
   "I know you immigrated first to Rochester, New York. What job did you have?"
   "I worked as a chef for several years." Barbara pipes in.
 
   "Did you know Eastman Kodak began there." Barbra's piano playing has improved from three months ago. Then, she asked "God to take her to heaven". Now heaven can wait as she has found  a new lease on life. She is related to Henry the Eight since her heritage can be traced back to the Green family and the sixth wife of Henry the Eight.
  "Hey Horst, how can you survive for three years on potato skin soup and vegetables?"
   "Well I want to tell you something. I used my ingenuity or head to survive. I did all of the electric maintenance in the camp. The Germans told me to replace old bulbs with new ones. I only replaced a few and sold the brand new ones to other Germans. I was always selling something to buy enough food for my starving body."
  "I want to tell you something! Do you see these scars on my two wrists?" He showed me his wrists. "Well, ,my six friends placed bandages over them. Do you know I lived while they died.
   "Do you know why I am bald? Can you grow grass on the freeways?"
 I still try to find out why he was one of only a hand full to survive. Then a light bulb came on. "The Germans told me to replace old light bulbs with new ones. I did not change a few of the old ones and sold the new bulbs to other Germans.



 

I felt like a King on Amtrak 8:19

   I needed a break from the 6:30 early Coaster train out of the Santa Fe Station in San Diego.
I remembered that the new Amtrak schedule had a eight and ten o'clock out of Santa Fe Station. My Coaster monthly pass now was wedded to some Amtrak trains out of San Diego.
   Now I love riding the rails with my Coaster pass, yet their cars don't strut as soft as Amtrak train's.   the way Amtrak ones do.And besides, the seats are cushioned, a night light is above you, and there are also curtains to remove the sun's glare.
   Back at the "Y" in Downtown San Diego, I took my leisurely long hot shower, shaved, and returned to my cell. I turned off the T.V. and turned on my transistor to 14.9. I am a fan of classical music and thrill when a Strauss waltz is played.

   I left at about eight o'clock, crossed C Street and Kettner Blvd. and entered Amtrak Station. At about eight fifteen the speaker system announced, "First call for Amtrak to Los Angeles..." I followed the others and took a bottom coach seat on the train.
   It took me a few seconds to sit since an inexperienced patron was unaware luggage must be stored in a luggage rack in the back. I sat and began reading the finished manuscript of my football story. A large man came by looking for a seat.
   "I don't know if you can fit in since I am tall too."
   "I certainly appreciate it...Is dis train going to Los Angeles."
   I peeked at his ticket and confirmed his destination.
   "Dis is first time to ride dis train. My friend will pick me up when get to Los Angeles. In Tennessee I am a building contractor."
    Percy's cell phone rang, and kept on ringing.

   I moved to an empty coach seat to read in piece. Four of the passengers spoke Spanish, probably from across the boarder in Mexico. I loved the quiet ride. The train ran smoothly and almost put me to sleep. I pulled down the curtains to remove the sun's reflection. There was a smell of perfume on the train.
   An Asian lady boarded at the Sorrento stop. I told her the train did go to Irvine. Two more boarded at the Solana Beach Station. The next stop was mine, and at least for half an hour, I felt like a king on Amtrak 8:19. 

No More Alchoholic beverages on the Coaster train

   You have not ever seen a real party until you travel the Coaster train to a football or baseball game.
    At first three years ago I did not like the idea of traveling with a bunch of drunks. Cut today, I feel like joining them. Way before game time, the party begins. It does not matter if the San Diego Padres dwell in the cellar, or have a good team. 
   The people of San Diego will use any excuse to party. They are party animals and live and die with their teams. A couple of weeks ago, the Oakland Raider fans came to to San Diego. Each showed off a jersey with a player's name on it. 
   Many had taken Amtrak which allows you to buy drinks but not board with them. For the Coaster, it is a free-for-all who can drink the most. 
   It is better to do it than when driving your car. Anyone driving int the city knows it is hell to take the 5 all the way to downtown, and I mean anytime. And if that isn't all, try to find a parking spot. Also after the games, they can't bring alcohol on board, a good idea. It gives them time to sober up before the drive home.
   Yet when there is no game in town, it is quite reasonable to ask passengers not to drink since it is a commuter train most of the time.
  

San Diego's Preexisting Condition

 For me it wreaks of overkill. On Friday the 25th of the month, everyone is bashing Obama Care again, and again. At least Bush bashing was over.  
  
  I left the "Y" in downtown San Diego and crossed C street and its American Plaza for my Coaster train ride to Encinitas. there were two dark shadows in front of me. Two hungry rats had been out scouting for pizza or hot dog left overs from the busy Seven Eleven at seven in the morning.  
  It dawned on me that the Washington politicians missed the boat. What about the cities like San Diego that are a feeding ground for preexisting conditions. 
  Seventy percent of the African American children are born without a father according to the local Union Tribune. Isn't that the forerunner of a preexisting condition. How many are drug babies born out of wedlock? 
   A glance on the many trolleys I have ridden prove my point. Too many African Americans and white folks parade with their skate boards, bikes or even canes. Yes canes. Many think it is fashionable to walk with a cane or walk with a black dog. How did this tragedy unfold.

   The census states there are about ten thousand homeless living on the streets of this "fine" city. Many carry EBT cards that enable them to buy hot dogs and pizzas at the Seven Eleven. Many stores advertise they accept the cards. 
   Why I have seen homeless men slowly reduced to walking mummies on the Broadway Streets. Many have signs describing their needs for money or just walk up to you and ask.
   Is San Diego a microcosm of what ails us? And who will given power to tell who has a preexisting condition and who doesn't? The most important question is how will those healthy ever get medical help since the others will consume the time of the doctors? 

   

Lindbergh Field

   "How do I get to Lindbergh Field?" 
    Since I have made the International Airport my home for almost three years, I am qualified to answer every question about the airport. 
   Many enter San Diego's Santa Fe Station and don't know how to get to the airport from the station. Others leave their hotels and have the same problem. 
   I tell everyone not to take a taxi, unless they have too much baggage.  I direct them to the 922 bus stop on the corner of Kettner Blvd and Broadway. It is directly in back of the Santa Fe Station. It is one dollar and twenty five cents for seniors and two fifty for other travelers.  
   For a large family, the San Diego taxis charge ten dollars to get there unless there is a big back up on Harbor Drive that leads to the airport. The number 922 bus makes several stops. There is always a bottleneck at Grape Street, since it leads to the number 5 freeway. In the late afternoon, it sometimes takes a few minutes to cross Grape Street. Drivers park their cars in the intersection causing a great traffic jamb. 
   The first bus stop is for commuter flights. The next is for terminal number 1 for Southwest Airlines. There are two stops for terminal one and their are many airlines that disembark on terminal two and the new one, 3.  one travelers going on for travelers going on Southwest. 
   Try to pack a picnic lunch with plenty of water. Until you get go through a body check, the only restaurant is in terminal one. There are just a few seat on the sides and food-o-mats in terminal one. you might need to spend ten dollars for a tuna sandwich.
   Since San Diego is in love with coffee shops, you will have no trouble finding a Starbucks inside. We love our coffee, mocha, and beer here-maybe too much.  
   Terminal three is now finished. Unfortunately, most people still wish to drop off or pick up love ones on the curbside causing a traffic jam. Many bus drivers have trouble getting inside the bus stop. There is a brand new upper deck where you can deliver your passengers. They can take one of three bridges to their respective plane. The smart ones use the machines close to curb side to buy or obtain their reserved boarding pass or ticket.
   Look for traffic jams on the only road to the airport. Unlike Los Angeles International there is only one road to Lindbergh Field, Harbor Drive. An airport trolley or underground transit system should have been in place years ago. 

  Two months ago, I watched a vexed man speaking on his cell phone. He was shouting to some airplane official. After a few minutes,  I walked up to him and asked if he needed my help. 
  "My brother drove me from Carlsbad four hours ago. There was a traffic jamb where the 5 crosses the 805. It held us up for over one hour. I did arrive at the flight thirty minutes before it was due to leave. They would not allow me to board."
   Now here is the rub. Anyone who thinks they can simply drive to the San Diego International Airport is naive. Accidents, traffic snarls, road work or something else will get in your way to arrive on time. 
   Here is the rub. There is one artery into the airport. It is Harbor Drive. Cars can be back up during rush hours. Also, many commuters wish to go to OB or Point Lomas and take Harbor Drive. 
   Since I  grew up in the City of Angeles, L.A., I can tell you there are several ways to get to the airport: the Ten freeway,Sepulveda or Lincoln Blvd.  Now allow me to save you time and money.
   You can save time and money by taking the Metrolink train for ten dollars or Amtrak. Both leave from Union Station. Metrolink is a commuter train that will drop you off in Oceanside. 
   Then for a few bucks you can ride the Coaster to the Santa Fe station. From there, the 922 bus drops you off at your terminal. Some 
    You can leave the stress to the trains and read, write, talk, or look at the beautiful country side. 
   

Ralph's on Front and G Street

   My favorite spot to people watch is on Front Avenue and G Streets. Streets that cross Broadway are called Avenues since the San Diego City Fathers needed San Diego to have an identity. They wished to compete with New York's Fifth Avenue. The Original Ralph's takes up the city block on the south east corner of the street. It is hard to miss.
    When I first moved to San Diego, I hung out at a coffee shop at the above intersection. The corner is one of my sights not to miss. I sat with a mocha drink and watched the endless parade. Most of the Asian gals wore high heals shoes taller than their frames. They were thin, terribly thin compared to the whites and blacks who entered Ralph's Market in the late afternoon.
   The homeless, wheel chairs, beggars, and walking dead hung out there. Just one second. A homeless one is coming in my direction. The black man missing most of his teeth asks me a question.  "What is it that you want?" 
  "I see a Macintosh apple has fallen from your bag. Do I have your permission to pick it up?"
   "Go right ahead sir. It does not belong to me, it belongs to God. Where are you going with your sack of cans?"
   "I need to go to go to a recycle center to exchange them for money. I came here to San Diego many years ago and fell in love with the climate. Unfortunately I also fell in love with beer and wine."
   This tall angular man shuffled over to the trash bin. He placed his hands inside but they came up empty. Recycling is a main hobby for the street people.
   Unlike the others, I waited for the light to turn red before going into Ralph's for my blood pressure reading. The machine then was always on the blink, till two years later when they bought-because of my complaints-a ten thousand dollar machine called Stay Healthy. Then my blood pressure read 170/120. Today it is 120/80.
   Why I will always remember the first time I used the Ralph's blood pressure machine, next to the pharmacy. Two years ago,while waiting to use the corner monitor, a  thin man jumped off of his bike and sat beside me. He seemed friendly and spoke to me.
"How ya doin sir? My name is Singleton, but you cin call me Reggy."
 "Well my blood pressure is quite high and I come in to make sure I am still among the living." He smiled and talked to me like a father.
 "Ten years ago I was diabetic with minor heart ailment. My doctor told me to rid myself of sugar, salt and coffee...Not only did I listen to him, but I also got rid of my major cause of it. I left my wife. As long as I kept her pregnant, she was no trouble. When the eleven kids left the house, she made life miserable, so I left her...I got to go now, I have a doctor's appointment on Third Avenue."
 I met him again about two months later. He told me like his own Dad, he retired from one of the Naval piers. My blood pressure had come down a bit, ever since I had two abscessed teeth removed.
   Mr. Singleton returned a few weeks later and told me he had worked on one of the Naval piers, just like my Dad. My blood pressure slowly came down after I had two abscessed  teethe removed. Also, I do eat meat once a week, but buy their greens in the produce department. (More to come  later)
  

Halloween Came early on Amtrak 6800

     Never did I ever think my Halloween would come early on Amtrak 6800 out of the Santa Fe Station in San Diego. In fact on Saturday morning of the 19th of October, it did come early. 
 
   I left the downtown "Y" at about eight o'clock. I felt thrilled to take advantage of the new Amtrak program. With my Coaster pass, I could tap it and ride on some of Amtrak trains. The new schedule had some Amtrak trains dismount at the same Coaster stations. I intended to use my Compass monthly pass on the 6800  out of San Diego's Santa Fe Station at 8:19. And why not? It was free!!!
  My compact Chevy Cavalier would be picked up at about 8:50 and I could drive the rest of the way to L.A to visit my second daughter Lindsay. I needed to help her choose a room mate. I often left my car at commuter stations for a day since driving into San Diego is costly, dangerous, and time consuming. I love to riding  trains, trolleys, and buses since I could read, sleep or just enjoy San Diego's many pristine sights. 
  I provided my knapsack with two pairs of  underwear,  a tuna sandwich, toiletries and three different medications. I needed a pick up since yesterday had been forgettable. At about eight ten, I  left the downtown YMCA and proceeded to the Santa Fe Station. I felt jubilant that to ride the early train since the Coaster would leave more than one hour later.  All I needed to do now was to tap my Compass pass on a machine and take my 74 year old body into the  Amtrak car on track two.
  It was now a little past boarding time. An Amtrak official announced the "train would be one or two hours delayed due to an incident." I have heard the term "incident"  used before. It usually meant a suicide on the tracks.I couldn't wait the one or two hours. An Amtrak ticket seller told me to "Take the bus just to be sure."

  I moved to the Green Line Trolley bench. A man asked if he could sit next to me. Now who could say no to the giant of a man. He asked me for scores of the games. I gave him the sports pages and began to take the Trolley to Old Town and pick up a #30 bus to the VA which would connect with a 101, I thought I heard an announcement at the Santa Fe Station.
  The Amtrak announced, "We will be boarding in five minutes."  I felt relieved about not needing to take the two buses. A security guard confirmed that train 6800 would indeed leave in five minutes.
  Back into the line I hurried. "This is first call for Amtrak to Goleta, with stops in..."   I entered the train on track three and unwound my legs. It felt good to be a Coaster passenger on a Amtrak train, since the two were now wedded. A ticket lady told me they had a total of "90 passengers the night before on this special new schedule."
  I removed my Tale of Two City book by Dickens and began to relax. Just then the trains conductor announced,. "We will need to go 30 miles an hour due to the incident up ahead." Oh shit! I would be one The Little Engine that Could and prayed the big # 6800 would.. The train now slowly moved out of the Santa Fe Station. At least it lurched forward. Now stressed out, I removed my tuna on rye.
   A baby across from me gave me the eye, she wanted my sandwich. Yet the train was not going thirty, more like twenty. We picked up a few passengers at Old Town and continued north. This time the train traveled slower than ten miles an hour, then five, and suddenly stopped. No announcement was made. 
 
   Number 6800 now played stop and go for thirty minutes. What was meant by incident? The conductors finally came on,  . "I apologize for not informing you earlier. We had problems with the front cab, and a person committed suicide in Leucadia. .We will revert to Plan B, turn around the train and return to San Diego. Shit Shit Shit! I opened up my celery with peanut butter inside and gulped each piece down.
   All awhile the train went two step forward and stopped. Two steps forward and stopped again. The the conductor came on again. "We will revert to plan C. We are now not turning the cab around again and will take you to the Sorrento Valley Station.  Some of you will take a Coaster just behind us." (Of course that was supposed to be my original train.
   "Hooray, Hooray I screamed." It felt good to be able to now get to Encinitas and pick up my car, even it two hours later.

   Oh yes, I wrote about the tricks Amtrak played on us. My treat was living to tell you about it. 

   

Ocean Beach or OB

   Never did I ever think that my experience in OB would make me wish to fish for Bonita or Mackerel. It did! 
   I needed to  give Dolly, my car, a wheel alignment. I dove my car to Express Tire on Midway Drive and left it there. I needed to give a digital picture to a print shop on Newton Street in Ocean Beach. I needed some business cards made. The locals call it OB. 
  A short drive from Old Town, is Midway Drive. I dropped my car off at Tire Express for wheel alignment. I walked a two blocks north to the #35 bus stop. Midway Drive turned into Point Loma when the driver turned left into Cable. I exited at the corner of Cable and Newton Streets. I walked up Cable towards the sea. The old eateries and other vintage shops enticed me. Up ahead sat several happy faces having breakfast on their long front porch.
  A youth hostel manager gave me the low down. "Each room holds four. It is twenty five the first night, and twenty dollars afterwards. It includes a waffles and eggs for breakfast and barbecues on the beach. Each person brings something to eat at the bond fires on the beach. We provide surf boards for those wishing to learn for a nominal fee."
   I thanked Joe and walked west to the print shop. I gave my thumb drive to Solomon the owner along with my thumb drive that included a digital picture for my new business cards.  Solomon extracted my background picture and I left. He would call me when a sample sample was ready... In the distance I saw the longest pier in my life. 
   At ten o'clock, my indigestion has run its course. Now I would venture onto the long pier. A fisherman told me the parking lot did not charge, unlike downtown San Diego.  It dawned on me that I could perhaps fish the next time. 
   On the pier most of the fisherman were bringing up Mackerel or seaweed. Most were Asian and could not tell the names of two birds in the ocean. I think one was called a Kite and the other a Egret.    
   To my right of the pier a long wedge of surfers waited patiently for the right wave.  for the right wave to come their way. Most wore body suits and a few brave ones wore their birthday ones. There were so many I didn't quite know why it had not been called a surfing beach a long time ago. 
   I continued my walk on the long pier. The cafe at the end looked bigger to me. One Chinese fisherman caught a Mackerel and a young kid caught some other type. 
   "What is the name of the fish you caught?"
   "It is a Bonita."
    "What does it weigh?" 
   "About half a pound." He sliced it open and put it into a large water bucket. He closed it and told me he used Coconut milk, tomato sauce and butter when grilling it. He lived in one of the many apartments and told me the skin pealed off when cooked.

   I looked at the menu of the cafe. There was a variety of different types of fish on it. Joe, the owner, told me I could rent fishing poles and bait for sixteen dollars.  I thanked Joe for the free lemon water and told him I would return. 
  Oh yes, to get to OB just get on the 923 out of San Diego or the #35 bus out of Old Town. Both buses intersect on Cable and Newton. 
   I will be returning to the pier often. The view of the Coronado Islands n the distance was spectacular. One fisherman told me that the uninhabited islands were used for bringing liquor into the country during prohibition.  
  
   
   

Cheapest Train Ticket to L.A. and back!!!

  I could not believe it! I left the Carlsbad  Library at 6:45 and drove to the Encinita's Commuter Station. I parked my car and walked to the boarding area. I waited for the 7:19 Amtrak train to arrive. 
   It not only arrived, but a long seat on the first level was vacant. The conductor did not check my Coaster monthly pass. The train did stop at each Coaster station. No longer would I need to worry about getting on the last Coaster train to San Diego. Now I had more options. I could have taken the nine o'clock or twelve train into San Diego...To my amazement, there was even a nine o'clock train that returned north to the same stations.  
  
 I can do San Diego to L.A., and back, for only ten dollars. Of course that is a lots of travel for one day. You must have a Coaster train daily pass or monthly pass to make it work.  
  I have been a Coaster traveler for more than three years. It was, and still is the best buy in San Diego. It has cost me 41.25 a month to ride buses, trolley's, and the Coaster trains. All I need to do is simply tap my Compass card on a machine, away we go. It beats trying to drive into San Diego, and if you don't believe me just try it. 
   My best writing is occurs on a train ride. Each day exhibit a different Picasso painting. I can read, day dream, or write my book. When exhausted, I can get some shut eye, and get to my destination safely and well rested.  
   God has given me two legs to walk, two eyes to witness his creation, and two ears to listen to the over 400 different types of fowl. I can wash in a clean bathroom, and even get a glass of water. One of of my rare dates, I even shared a bottle of Gallo wine with a girl friend, even though I am still a tea teetotaler.   
   
  This past Thursday morning, I shelled out thirty one dollars to go all the way to L.A. to see my baby grand daughter for the first time. I arrived in L.A. at nine o'clock and paid a quarter to take a Dash bus to the 720 red bus to West Los Angeles. 
   With some extra walking, I met up with my two daughters at Roxbury Park and held Baby Allison for my first time. What a thrill!!

  Since it was Sunday, it cost me ten dollars to return to San Diego. There was only one hitch. Amtrak did not warn me about rail work on the Metrolink line. On  a large Union Station screen, ominous word stared down at me. The Metro-Link would go only as far as   Laguna Niguel. 
   I waited for fifteen minutes to buy my ten dollar ticket on the two o'clock. I hoped a bus could take me to Oceanside where I could feel safe with my Compass card.  
   "For those going further south, you might be able to get on a bus." With other disgruntled and betrayed passengers, I dismonted and found a friendly Amtrak official. She put us on their bus and its driver let Metro-Link have it. 
   "You are lucky that we saved you. Metrolink would have let you stranded. They didn't care."  

   Yet the good new is you can ride Amtrak trains 567, 573, 595,784,790/1790 or 796 by simply displaying your Coaster ticket. It means that North County patrons can leave for San Diego later at night...Of course Amtrak customers can do the same. 

   I have saved money, used my time effectively and lowered my blood pressure. I go to the Ralph's on Kettner to monitor it and after three years it is 115/70. Three years ago it registered 160/110. Of course I carry a back pack everywhere I go. I have given up coffee and cut down on my salt and sugar. 
   Have a nice trip. 

   A few helpful hints to make your ride on the Coaster as smooth as your silk. Pack a bottle of wine or beer on your next trip. Take a few sandwiches also along with cheese. Drinking is aloud, but not after nine o'clock p.m. Make a few sandwiches some wine, cheese and a sandwich on your next trip. 
   The bathroom closet at the foot of the lower level car is a nice feature. If the outside bathroom light is on, it is occupied. It is  roomier than the Amtrak one. 
   Radios or conversations are not allowed. Yet seldom are the rules obeyed. Move to a further seat if available. And by all means, keep your feet off of the seats. 
   Delightfully, each Coaster car is air-conditioned. On red flag alert days in San Diego, I often stay on the train to unclog my bronchial tubes. San Diego's high humidity and pollen counts can cause a quick trip to the emergency room. 

   Another tip is to wear a watch always. You can catch the special later Amtrak trains when you wish to dance the night away in Carlsbad or Encinitas. The Compass everything pass gives you lots of choices. There is one exception. The last train out of San Diego's Santa Fe Station leaves no later than nine o'clock now.

   Got to go now. I need to pick up my car. Express Tire on Midway in the Old Town area is to give it a wheel Alignment. Need to drive, this time, to see my blind brother Mel in Huntington Beach. BYYY 

  


 
 Y