Christmas on the Prado

We’ve tried to come do Balboa Park December Nights for several years now.  This was the first successful trip.  I’m pretty sure this had to do with the fact that we left the kids behind and made it into a date.  We also got shuttled in for free on a charter which was a nice traffic-less trip.  With an estimated 300,000 people moving through the event over 2 days, a stroller stuffed to the brim with tired kiddos at 10pm is not the most calming family affair.  The museums open their doors free of charge, which we quickly discovered, we would rather pay full price any day.  So we wandered.

Will with a gourmet Monte Cristo in hand(They rolled it in the french toast, and layered the chutney and the brie between the ham and turkey and then fried it!) and me a steaming, creamy cup of hot cocoa.  We watched Christmas dancers and singing children’s choirs.  They even offered sneak peaks of, “The Nutcracker.”  Street performers kept a lively spirit.  Although there were thousands of people there, it didn’t feel crowded.  Everyone was constantly moving so it was very pleasant.  And really, what situation can’t be made better by a giant bag of kettle corn?!

“Fight or Flight”

Will and I slipped out for a Halloween double date a few days ago.  The Haunted Hotel ranks #13 for best Haunted Houses in the country.  So naturally, that’s where we headed.  I don’t scare very easily and my “fight or flight” response tends to heavily favor, fight.  Will can testify of that.  Let’s just say he doesn’t try to jump out from dark corners in our house as much anymore to try and startle me.

The hotel takes points on originality and creativity for sure.  They didn’t get any screams out of me, but they had a poor guy in our group screaming in Spanish most of the time while huddled with the 2 girls he came with.  They seemed legitimately scared.

All that screaming everyone did worked up an appetite so we wandered the Gas Lamp District until we happened upon Lou and Mickey’s .  It was at this point in the evening, sitting out on the patio, my love affair with key lime pie flared something huge.

A Feast of Screams

Who doesn’t love a party with good friends?  Halloween is always a great excuse to get together.  Not to mention, I am a sucker for a great costume!

Will and I tapped into our heritage.  Will’s 1/16th Mexican and I’m 1/16th Spanish…and it showed.  Nacho said it best, “Chancho. When you are a man, sometimes you wear stretchy pants in your room. It’s for fun. ”  Clearly, Will forgot his stretchy pants in his room, no matter, I love him anyway.

Good Morning, San Diego!

This is what happens when I wake Will up early in the morning for a date and have to start him up with a shot of Dr. Pepper.  Just kidding, he was just messin’.  When its a sultry 75 degrees at 7:30 in the morning we just can’t resist a good round of frisbee golf.   What a fun double date!  We chased frisbee golf with a yummy breakfast.   Slowly we are finding the good, the bad and the ugly that is San Diego’s breakfast restaurants.  Good food, good friends, good times!

Toréador, L’amour t’attend!

What a fabulous evening!!  I know Will loves me when he is willing to sit through a 4 hour opera for me…sung in French!  I look at the title and the little, fat man, narrator in my head always reads it with a Spanish flare.  I know, the irony is killing me.  It is set in Seville (Spain), but the opera is sung in French.  Thank goodness for the subtitles, right?

I love getting all gussied up for the evening!  It’s one of the few times all year where everyone is dressed to the hilt.  The tuxedos on debonair old men and women dripping with diamonds create quite the ambiance as their chauffeurs help them them from their cars.  It is quite the sight; the Bentleys and Rolls Royce that line the walk.  But, all of that is just a side show compared to the opera itself.  I know it’s not for everyone, but the control and sheer volume that the singers obtain is amazing!  And next year’s season is already cracked.  The Barber of Seville will be the closing opera of the season…I know you want to go.  Figaro, Figaro, Fiiiiigaro!!!