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That Time Of Year Again
Ah, Palm Springs. Playground of the rich and famous – and me.
Well back in 1988 it was – at least for a week or two. This was where I went for the church convention that year.
Californian Friends
I stayed with a young woman I met in Bermuda the previous year, in her house with her two sisters in San Jose.
The only thing I knew previously about San Jose was the song, “Do You Know the Way to San Jose” by Dionne Warwick and it was actually surreal to find myself in the actual place.
We made the hours long drive to Palm Springs through the night. Unfortunately I couldn’t help out there as I hadn’t learned to drive yet and I felt bad for my host who had to make frequent rest breaks.
None of her sisters could drive neither.
Glorious Palm Springs!
OK, so we finally made it to the beautiful mountains and greenery which was Palm Springs.
The weather was gorgeously hot and sunny. In fact it was so hot that someone’s music tapes had all melted in his car!
It was only when we were there that people told me it was the home of celebrities, which I found hardly surprising.
Amazing how I actually knew nothing about the place apart from it was somewhere in the USA!
Feeding Of The 5000
Over 5000 people attended the convention that year which was the largest crowd I had ever been part of.
We always ended up somewhere at the back of the large tent so we didn’t see much.
To be honest I don’t seem to remember any of the sermons because of all the distractions I suppose.
Food, Glorious Food!
The thing I remember most was the food. More accurately, the food overload.
I didn’t understand how all these slim people could be so fixated on breakfast, lunch and dinner – each with ginormous portions.
I actually reached the stage where at dinner one night I was doubled up in the toilets with quite severe stomach cramps from so much food.
It was so embarrassing!
My friends were all worried about what was happening to me.
It was at this meal that I first had a Mississippi Mud Pie which I had never heard of before.
I would have enjoyed it a whole lot more if my gut wasn’t doing summersaults.
Basin Of Fruit, Anyone?
The next evening I decided to play it cautious by having a simple fruit salad and nothing else.
My friends were all saying “Is that all you’re having?”
Yes, that was all I was having because my stomach would never forgive me if I had another dinner for five in one round.
So imagine my utter shock when the waitress brought me an enormous basin filled with fruit. This was supposed to be my “fruit bowl”.
I was so fascinated that I took a picture of it.
If only Facebook was around in those days as I would have posted it for sure – and posting my food is something I’ve never been inclined to do since.
Meet The Natives
I met an older gentleman, maybe about 70ish, who was the father of one of my new friends, and we would often have some interesting conversations over lunch.
He always spoke to me like I was intelligent and intellectual, which I wasn’t really used to.
I never forgot him for that. We seemingly had nothing in common, and yet we did.
Of course I met quite a few people my own age as well and we kept in touch for a while until the usual drifting off.
Where My UK People At?
What was amazing was how I didn’t meet another soul from the UK apart from this one woman who happened to be from my own little home town in East London, even though she had moved to California at that time.
We toured a bit round California before heading back to San Jose.
On our travels we met some guy with an incredibly thick southern US accent. I had never heard it that heavy before and had some trouble understanding him.
This was at a meal in yet another restaurant. The custom at this one was to sit on the floor and eat rice with our fingers.
I can’t say I tried it at home!
Talking of accents, at one time my friend and I were standing in a queue for something and I said something to her.
The people in front of us actually turned around to look at me. I’m guessing these days they’re all used to a British accent.
Parting Was Bitter Sweet Sorrow
It was a bitter sweet trip as it was kind of spoilt at the end when I couldn’t find my return ticket to go home.
It was somehow not in my suitcase and I was mortified.
My host ended up paying it for me and we agreed for me to pay her back when I got home.
I did this by stuffing the money in an envelope and posting it to her by air mail – which of course she never received.
Yes, it was one of my unfortunate naive moments.
My friend very generously forgave me the loan eventually but of course I still felt bad.
Remember these were the days before the Internet and online payments.
Credit cards were not that accessible neither and I hadn’t even considered one. It was all about travellers cheques for me back then.
Final Two Years Of Adventure
So this was the only time I ventured off on my own.
The previous year I was in Bermuda with a friend then the following two years I went to Niagara Falls then Daytona Beach, Florida with friends.
That was then the end of my adventures abroad apart from a few trips to New York for the winter dances held there in December.
Tell Me About Your Adventures
Well I hope you enjoyed my indulgent musings. Have you been to Palm Springs? What was your impression?
Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments below!
