Spending time in Catalina is refreshing because the atmosphere is simple. Bored? Get active. Get to know your friends. Hungry? 3 meals a day. Want time alone? Just find a spot.
I took a trip up north to San Francisco. On the way up, however, I spent a night in Paso Robles which reminded me of Ben's farm. We were hosted by Hailey's dad who is quite possibly the most welcoming person I've met. He reminded me of my neighbor Bill, and if you knew him that'd be a high compliment.
Most of the weekend I also spent in Pleasanton. (Which is about an hour east of the bay area.) Pleasanton reminded me of St. Charles. Not like it was the same but it was at least not LA. And I got to spend the weekend with 2 really awesome friends and an exceptionally hospitable family. And ya know? We didn't do a whole lot. Don't get me wrong, seeing San Fran was amazing, and that day was packed full of fun sightseeing! But the rest of the time was normal. And I was craving normal.
After that trip was over, I just kept looking at my nails. One night my friend Hailey's mom took Hailey and I to get mani-pedi's and treated us to dinner at a nice restuarant in cute downtown Pleasanton. I keep thinking the only remedy for homesickness is MY home, but that was not the case. I had found a place in California that felt homey enough to me. It wasn't hard to think of something college girls will like, but it really means a lot when someone does it as a gift and with hospitality!
What stuck out the most was the ability Hailey and her parents had to make guests feel comfortable. Ya know how they did it? No? I don't either. Because it was nothing extraspectacularshowyfancyness. It was being kind, opening their home, eating some food, and doing relaxing things. It was the fact they treated me like a normal person. Ya know how a few people here treat me? Like a tourist. Like someone to entertain. The impact those few people here have on me is big and not good. So the impact the Ellingsen's had on me was bigger. And I can not stop thanking God for them!
Thank God for real people who can be real friends!
Northern Cal is truly the better Cal.
Angela
