Word-up fellow citizens...How are you? Well, I hope. Not actually a huge amount to report right now, but felt the need to "check in" as they say. So, the pic above is the view of my sister's back garden, complete with requisite pool (pool boy not included in photo). To be honest, the weather is fairly unimpressive right now: the temperature is hovering around the 64 F mark, and it is dull and overcast. The only improvement over the weather in the UK is that it very rarely rains in the Summer season here, so I suppose that is one saving grace. However, the first day we were here it was a beautiful 82F with uninterrupted sunshine from dawn til dusk. Ah well, you can't have everything.
The salient feature of my trip thus far rather sadly, was probably my rather lovely experience at LAX. This was something that had been preying on my mind running up to my flight out, particularly given I had heard some rather unnerving stories of other British Asian Muslim men who had had less than welcoming experiences entering the US. And boy, US Border Control did not fail to deliver. Having passed my mum through fine, my passport was promptly passed to two other border control guys, who looked at me rather suspiciously; at this point I knew something was up. I was then taken aside by this dude who promptly interrogated me about my background, job, education, where I had been and the purpose of my stay. He made me write my sister's address and contact details as well as my own in the UK, on a piece of paper. He then made me wait whilst he input these details onto their IT database. This was all after having my finger and thumbprints taken, electronically. To say the experience was uncomfortable would be an understatement: I was genuinely scared and a little intimidated. The main thing was that I kept my cool throughout though I think the security guy definitely sensed my anxiety and tried to placate this by telling me that he was "mandated to perform such procedures" in some ridiculous American accent. Don't get me wrong I'm not anti-American, but what I take massive issue with is US foreign policy, and the country's rather hostile and arrogant attitudes towards foreigners, in particular Muslim males. Basically, it's shitty fitting a terrorist profile, and doesn't help that my first name is actually Mohammad. That, plus the fact that in recent years, Britain seems to have been a hub in the Al-Qaida terrorist network. Oh shit, the CIA are probably onto me now for even mentioning this...
Moving on to something more upbeat, I have been preparing to spend a couple of days and nights in San Francisco, which is about 400 miles north of LA. I have heard really good things about the city, particularly relating to the fact that it is supposed to have a really laid back, liberal vibe and is really ethnically diverse and tolerant in outlook. Have decided to fly from LAX which will take less than an hour and a half to San Francisco International Airport, which is about 10 -15 miles south of the city. Having thought about my limited budget, and not really being up for staying alone, I signed up to "Couchsurfing.org", having met many couchsurfers in London a couple of years ago when I lived with my friend, Greg, on Brick Lane. To be honest, most of the couchsurfers seemed really sound, and rather strangely, I feel considerably less sceptical at this point in my life than I did then. This is probably because I am jobless and preparing to go back to full-time education so feel relatively mentally and spiritually free . Anyway, having signed up I have been looking for interesting, open-minded hosts in San Francisco, and was drawn towards the profile of a 26 year old art curator called Angelica, who lives in "Mission District", which I gather is in the cool, boho part of the city. I liked her taste and style, and found her half-Korean background to be rather interesting so decided to send her a message (will also have to admit that she is really pretty in a kooky way though my intentions are honourable, honest guv!). She has promptly got back to me with her number so I may well be staying with her when I head to SF in a couple of weeks. Watch this space.
My itinerary also includes going to Washington DC with my mum and sister for 4 nights next week, and a trip to San Diego for a night the day after I am due to return from SF. However, this week my mum and I have been mostly chilling, as my sister, her husband and their two boys are at work/school. My eldest nephew, Nathan, graduates from high school in a couple of days so I will be going to his graduation ceremony, and then for a Chinese afterwards. Will be interesting (and perhaps a little nauseating) seeing all these wide-eyed 18 year old Californian kids whooping and such like. Still, can't really begrudge them their moment. Nathan is off to The University of California Irvine, to study Medicine (well pre-Med, Biology major) so is well and truly keeping it in the family. My ma is of course, over the moon about this, seeing as none of her kids managed to become doctors...
Anyway, sorry if this entry has been a little dry, but it should give you a taster of things to come. Props to my boy, Rico, for giving me the inspiration for the rather silly, but appropriate title.
Peace out hombres,
F.
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