It costs too much money for one, and with the present political climate, I do not even want to admit I am an American citizen. The biggest expense is the car rental, but Kathie said she would pick me up at the airport and I could stay on her sofa. This saved me the car rental plus a hotel room. My lawyer who had a guest house where I stayed for years has retired and moved. The day before I was to leave Kathie called to say her car was in the shop. For six weeks she kept saying it needed repairs and I begged her to do it before I arrived, but NO! I was pissed but arranged for a car at the airport. For three and a half days, it cost more than my round trip plane ticket. I found there is a shuttle service, but without a car, how would I get around? Southern California is not possible without a car.
The first day I was to see a very dear friend who discovered he had pancreatic cancer a few months ago. He under went a 10 hour surgery and was recovering enough that they were going to pick me up at Kathie's. Once I rented a car I tried to contact them to say I could now meet them. No response! I set off for the lab where I was to have tests done before I saw my doctor. My P.O, Box had no mail of any kind in it. I had asked the doctors nurse to be sure and send me the authorization and also asked her where to go for the lab tests. So I drove to Mission Viejo to a medical complex with only paid parking. The lab had no record of me at all. I was not pleased. Once I got back to Kathie's I called the nurse (I have no U.S. phone of my own). She claimed to have no knowledge of my request. Shouldn't the doctor order the tests after I made the appointment? I told her she not only said she would take care of the authorization but gave me the address of the lab. She denied it. This was a new doctor. It seems I have not only out lived most of my friends, but my doctor as well. I had yet to meet the man and already I did not like him.
I did hear back from my friend who was back in the hospital. It seems chemo therapy is not was making better him but worse (not surprised). We agreed to meet in a few days. Kathie and I were going to take our usual trip on the train to "The City of the Angels" (What a misnomer !). So I went to the train station and bought tickets and picked up a copy of the train schedule. We were going to visit the new Broad Museum and I had got tickets on the internet before I left. We left early for the train depot. A really cute sort of mission style building. They have a huge parking lot but every where said "tow away zone" after three hours. It was all reserved for the two restaurant there. Kathie insisted it would be okay, but I was not about to risk having a rental car towed. I thought I would ask the nice lady at the counter where I could park. The tickets were in a packet I had of the train schedule, a map of downtown L.A, and the tickets to the Broad Museum. My jean pockets are too tight so I asked Kathie to carry them in her purse. But apparently just before we left her house, she looked in her purse for something land took the packet out, leaving it on the counter. We had to race back and barely got back in time, but I still did not know where to park. The nice lady led me to the only eight spots left for public parking. Ridiculous ! The train left 30 seconds after we got on board.
It is a very pleasant trip on the train and ends at the wonderful Art Deco Union Depot. It has been beautifully restored to its original glory. We had an hour and half and we both wanted a french dip sandwich from Phillippe's. It has been serving them for 108 years, Don't miss it if you are ever there. But Kathie had on warm boots and a wool sweater and it was 85 degrees. We stopped at Olivera Street to pick up some sandals and a light blouse. Olivera Street is where Los Angeles began. One building says the deed dates to 1542 although the building obviously does not. Most of the existing structures (which were originally homes) were built in the 1700 and 1800's. A charming street but the tourist shops look just like the ones on the island near my home, Still I love the contrast of the old and the new buildings. By the time she had her blouse and sandals, we did not have time for our sandwich. Kathie was sure it was all very close together, but it is not. It is 8 or 10 blocks up hill to the museum.
We walked up the Grand Park which begins at City Hall and goes all the way up to The Music Center. Downtown L.A, is really beautiful now with lots of parks, fountains and gorgeous buildings.
From 1960 to 1964, I worked on the 7th floor of the iconic City Hall building. I looked out over what would be the Grand Park (they were talking about it then) but all I saw were slums, crumbling buildings and vacant lots. It took over 50 years, but it is now beautiful The architect for the Broad Museum was severely criticized as The Broad looks like a lump compared to the beautiful soaring Disney Hall covered with polished stainless steel. But that was the architects intent - to make a contrast, Inside is gorgeous with huge spaces of brilliantly lit rooms. It is all post war modern art (not really my cup of tea) I prefer the French Impressionist or the old masters, but I did find a few painting I could admire (I even recognize some of the art work) They allow no photos with a flash and I have never found out how to cut off my flash, but I took a quick one on the lower level as we exited.
We then went to Philippe's for our french dip sandwich. They invented them and they are still the best ever. The place looks exactly the same as it did when I was a kid and my parents took me there with the same tables and stools and saw dust on the floor. Again, we barely made the train going back but luckily got on one of the little shuttle buses they have for old people and it took it right to our train. I always enjoy going to L.A, but probably this was my last time.
Next day I had to meet Donna for lunch. She is a Trump supporter so I was not looking forward to it. I immediately told her that she will not change my mind nor do I think I can change hers, so let's not talk about Trump. But you can't stop these people. I am not sure how I managed to get through lunch let alone digest it. But we met a Cedar Creek across the street from the old Mission San Juan in their beautiful patio, so I tried to focus on that. My next stop was my doctor. I had deliberately made the appointment for my last day there so there was plenty of time for the lab tests (which he did not order).
Of course it was an hour after my appointment time before he walked into the room. He opened my folder (inherited from my old doctor) and preceded to read off a list of tests he wanted done (bone scan, C.T. scan, blood tests). Why didn't he order them before? I told him I was leaving the next day and he said to cancel my flight. (I don't think so!) Obviously he had never looked at my chart until he walked in the room. I told him that I felt great and the only symptom of old age that I could think of was flatulence. He ignored the statement and did not even crack a smile. You cannot trust people with no sense of humor. I had already decided I did not like him and my opinion did not change. From there I went to meet up with my friend with pancreatic cancer. He has lost so much weight and he looked like a shell of his former self. But his eyes had a steely determination. That plus a good attitude is more than half the battle. At least that is my excuse for living too long.
It was nice to see some friends (except Donna) and I enjoyed the train trip to old L.A. but I do think it was the last time I will do it. We have doctors here and if people want to see me, they can come here. Noriko came all the way from Japan, why can't they?
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