One of the Best places on earth which has the sweetest air to make you feel fresh and energized. This is my 5th official trip to San Diego. In spite of work being demanding, the city & the beaches around make it feel like a vacation even though the long flights make it feel like a punishment.
The temperature is kind of mild compared to the same in Europe during February. The taxi driver asked if I want to keep the window open and I was all for it after being through a journey of 12 hours in an air-conditioned flight. I like the view of downtown tall buildings and their reflection in the water while driving past the North Harbor Drive.
The view in the above picture takes me back to some fond memories. Some people are born with a special gift of making every moment funny, adventurous and enjoyable. One such person is my Nephew, Tejas. He is a crazy guy who never lets people around him bored nor lets himself bored no matter whether there is something to enjoy or not. He joined me in most of my trips to San Diego, at least over the weekend or for the whole stay depending on his schedule as a student. As soon as my trip gets fixed, I get a warning at home “pls remember Tejas is the only son. Don’t give him car. Don’t drive far”. I would remember that until I meet Tejas. Moment I meet him, I would forget he is the only son, but also that I am the only mother. Knowing that we both are safe Drivers, we try to make the best use of the available time exploring places.
If I have the night shift, we would visit places around during the day time. He would assure me that I can sleep in the car as he drives. But he brings along such energetic songs with weird lyrics, I end up almost dancing in the car no matter how tired I am. If stopped at a traffic light, he would make the car dance as well, by applying brake and releasing it as per the tune. In the end, I would somehow manage to rest 3-4 hours before going for the next shift of work.
During one of my visits, we wanted to have a night photography session at Harbor Island. We reached there around 10:00 pm and started photographing with long exposures. Island was almost empty except for the restaurant at the end of the island. One more car came, they parked just behind our car and started having fun. We moved our car further bit away and continued our photo session. After a few minutes, those people took a U-turn and drove away. Once we finished our photography session, we wanted to drive back. We saw a car coming towards and Tejas decided to make a U-turn before it reached us. Soon after taking U-turn, I hear him say “Oh shit…oh shit” looking into the rearview mirror. I was bit scared not knowing what happened. While I expected him to drive faster and get away if some danger is identified, he stopped the car on the side. I stopped thinking and prepared my mind to the fight. What else my karate skills are for? I saw him open the car window which I thought was a stupid decision in that situation. Seeing a police officer approaching us, I breathe a sigh of relief. The police officer asked for Driving license and car papers which we handed over. Luckily we got out with a warning and no fine.
As my office is near to La Jolla Village, I stay in hotels at La Jolla Village drive or Delmar. In most skyscraper hotels, the windows are closed and one is forced to breathe air-conditioned air in spite of having such a fresh breeze outside. Hotel Homewood suites at Delmar is my favorite, not only because of the decent services they provide but also because I can open the window a little bit and access fresh air.
I reached San Diego on Saturday, gave a short visit to Office on Sunday and had Sunday evening for myself. I decided to go to Torrey Pines Glider port which is around 10 minutes drive from my hotel. Weather was good and the Glider port lawn was crowded with paragliding pilots. I just stood near the Café and was enjoying the scenic beauty of the place. A pilot with a red T-shirt came towards and was asking “Anyone wants to fly?”. I just wanted to say “Yes”, but could not. Don’t know what stopped me.
2 Chinese Girls went on a flight while I took pictures of colorful parachutes. As the weather was really suitable for flying, pilots seemed to be in full spirit to give the best experience for fellow flyers. The whole evening I kept on assuring myself that I would fly before my flight back home while regretting not going for a flight on that day. And from Monday onwards not only work kept me away from being able to visit the glider port, but also the weather.
By Friday I got severe cold and fever due to changing weather. Saturday as the weather was cloudy, I thought I would not get a chance to do paragliding during this visit. I was talking on Skype with the family saying “I am so ill, I don’t want to go out even for lunch. I will try to have ready to eat noodles and rest” while Palm trees in the hotel yard seemed to wave which made me call up Glider port to ask if they fly. They confirmed pilots are already there. When I informed that I am going for paragliding, their expressions were like ” r u the one who has a fever and wanted to rest the whole day?”. But they didn’t stop me. I drove to fulfill my dream. I was the first one to fly that day. I am not afraid of heights nor of flying. But papers that they made me sign and the video that they took making me say my name, date and that “I know that this is a dangerous sport and there is a high risk of severe physical injury, paralysis and even death” made me think about my family and give a second thought. But, knowing that Fears that we don’t face become our limits and that the one who does not fear Death dies only once, I just stopped thinking and went for flying. It was an amazing experience for 20-25 minutes, flying along the Coast of Torrey pines, above the cliffs, watching the dolphins diving in the sea, having a birds view of the whole scenery. After landing called up home immediately and informed them that I am safe, as though it takes guts to fly, but lot more to let loved ones fly. I often get question “how much did it cost”… I just feel that experiences are just worth themselves and can not be valued in terms of money. It was worth the escalated cough & fever and sleepless nights for the next few days. 
Work used to get over by 4pm and I utilized the time to visit La Jolla Shores Beach, La Jolla Cove etc. La Jolla Cove is one of my favorite places at San Diego. The first time I visited La Jolla Cove, the Waves were so high and the sound of the Sea was so wild…I had immediately fallen in love with that place. There were lot of seals lying around. Lot more seagulls and colorful pelican birds nest on the cliffs. It was Foggy that day and the whole area looked magical. Though it was sea shore, the air was not sticky. The water of the ocean was not sticky either, instead it gave a soft feeling of conditioner, may be due to the sea weeds.
Caroline’s Sea Side Café is a nice place to visit for a brunch, though most of the time it is overcrowded. Weekends and holidays, one can park in the parking lots near to the Café and walk down to the Beach. There is a long Pier just a hundred meter from the Café which adds to the look of the Beach. After work, as the traffic used to be heavy, getting down to beach near Caroline’s Café was the easiest option available. I went there most evenings and enjoyed walking on the sand bare foot, allowing chilly waves touch my feet once in a while, watching the surfers and the birds. I feel that Nature is the only thing which has the capacity to make me not to miss my dear ones while being alone and to make me be at present without thoughts of past or future or of people. 
At the Glider port, one can walk down the cliffs and reach the Beach. It is worth the experience to go down to beach, though it is bit tiring to climb up.
There are numerous places to visit like Mission Beach, Point Loma, Sea World and the Famous San Diego Zoo. Though San Diego Zoo is considered worlds No. 1 Zoo, I did not feel that charm when I visited the Zoo. May be because the animals are being kept in cages…. I like our Duisburg Zoo in Germany better. But SeaWorld did impress me with its numerous shows like Pet show, Seal dance, Dolphin and Orca Show.
Another place I liked the most near San Diego is “Ocean Side”. The Beach has a wooden pier of length around 596 meters. It is really a nice experience to walk on the Pier watching the surfers trying to ride the waves.
Even though I visited San Diego each time alone, the place has never made me feel lonely. People are friendly and nature makes me feel I belong there. Except for the long flight, I would love to visit San Diego again and again…and I don’t think I would ever feel enough.