For those of you who don't know yet (feel free to be ashamed), I've been in the US the last 4-5 months working. To be more precise, in San Diego, California. Wonderful city. Nice people, small and big at the same time, multicultural, great waves for surfing, almost no rain and always sunny, never too cold, never too hot. Anyone who's been here will agree with me.
Most of you out there may know me as a lazy person, but I've tried posture up and seize the day as much I've could (and trying to keep the TV set turned of as much as possible). A list of some of the things I've done:
- Snowboarding day trips to Big bear / snow summit ski resort.
- Broken my foot and spent 4 weeks on crutches.
- Spent 10 days on Maui, Hawaii. Snorkeling with giant Turtles. Swimming/jumping in waterfall basins. 5 days of inpatient wind chasing. 3 days of Kiteboarding in howling wind (30-40 knots). Hiking the rain forest. Scenic driving in the mountains. Pitch black driving on a narrow winding cliff road for hours. Meeting the worlds top kiteboarders. Chasing sleep disturbing roosters. Stargazing in the wilderness. Drinking fresh spring water in Iao Walley. Watching the sunrise at Haleakala. Meeting Willie Nelson and watching him perform from backstage. Staying with the wonderful guests and maintainers of the North Shore Hostel. Strolling under the incredible Banyan tree and watching the sun set from a beach bar with a cold beer in Lahaina. Getting an even suntan on a nudist beach relaxing with home mixed Kava.
- Visited the world famous San Diego Zoo.
- Visited Sea World.
- 4 days in Las Vegas.
- Hiked the Grand Canyon for three days.
- Watched John Legend perform.
- Eaten lots of Mexican food (and other new food).
- Spent a weekend in Rosarito, Mexico. Partying all night long at Papas & Beers. Eating authentic Mexican food. Drinking Tequila. Watching beach volleyball tournament and just relaxing. Trying to hold the breath while passing through Tijuana. Getting screwed over by taxi drivers while knowing it. Making it to the border "FIRST" on the way back to the US.
- Learning how to surf. I've decided to go surfing during lunch as often as I can my remaining time here.
- Boogie boarding.
- Celebrated fourth of July (Independence day).
- Just hanging out at the beach or community pool.
- Making friends with lots of wonderful San Diegans (and occasional visitors).
- Having BBQ party with steak and light beer.
- Celebrated Finish midsummer. It's like the Swedish but without the food and games. But me and another Swede cheated by bringing traditional Swedish midsummer food. No knives were pulled in response to this so we carried on with some Kubb later also.
- Buying "stuff". This is a very important part of the American life. So far I've managed to buy a new kite: Waroo II, 7 kvm. A kiteboard: F-One Demon SE 129. A (cheap) freestyle snowboard, Silence Glider 150. Before I go home I'm planning on buying a new camera, a cell phone and maybe another kiteboard.
- I've also moved 4 times which sucked up some time :) One time I moved walking on crutches. I had pain in my palms for weeks and weeks after that.
