Monday, December 29, 2008

Orange

Orange in Orange County, that is. And my final day really on this trip, unfortunately. Although it'll also be good to be home again to make sense of everything I've seen over the past 3 1/2 weeks, and to see my cats again. It's a good thing I was provided with cats to pet on several stops along the way, especially here at my friends' place as they have two adorable kitties.

Anyway, today I decided to explore Orange a bit (or to be more precise what they call Old Towne Orange). I walked around and took in the incongruence of palm trees and plastic snowmen and Santas. I sat outside in the sun with my coffee, just listening to the people around me, which was fun and interesting and entertaining. The script writer who complained to his friend that all the movies that get made these days suck, and why wasn't anyone getting his brilliance ... The two friends who bitched about (I guess) their husbands. The business meeting two tables down that ended in a what-is-the-best-college-football-team discussion. All the while I'm enjoying the sun, the warm breeze, and just the fact that I'm here.

On my way to Orange, though, I stopped at a scary place. The Crystal Cathedral. Yes, a church. I know they shouldn't be scary but this one is. I can only imagine what it cost to build, and I actually don't want to know. I also don't want to know what happens when a major earthquake hits this mammoth made of steel and glass, although I can imgaine that much more easily than the money it cost to build. Let me put it this way: when that earthquake hits, I don't want to be anywhere near this building. As I was standing there looking at the place I couldn't help but wondering how many poor people could have been helped by the money that went into building it ... Of course I took some photos nonetheless - and couldn't shake the feeling I was in Miami. For some reason the palm trees being mirrored in the glass facade reminded me of it.

The rest of this, my last, day I spent with more of my friends, which was the perfect way to end this vacation. Good friends, good conversation, good food, and a couple of cold beers. Perfect.

Just like this vacation.

Orange






Crystal Cathedral





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