Next up on my trip was San Diego, California and this was the first destination to which I had never been. (I’m embarrassed to say the city would probably remain unseen had not some longtime friends moved there a year ago) When I planned out my journey I knew I would go places I’d never been before and may never be able to go again, but I decided to make a rule for myself: I would put people before places. Yes, I was going to specific destinations to see and experience them, but I would also be there to visit family and loved ones and friends I simply hadn’t met yet. So I gave myself permission to prioritize hanging out with people over making sure I did the top ten “Things to Do” on TripAdvisor.

Which brings me to my friends in San Diego – Escondido to be exact. They were friends I’d known for over 16 years but hadn’t seen in over four so it goes without saying that to me they were the #1 attraction. And we spent all but one afternoon on my stay catching up, reminiscing about old times, and, to my horror, hearing myself say things to their daughters that only old people say. Like, “Wow, have you grown up!” or “I remember visiting you when you were still in the hospital!”.  Those things just kept coming out of my mouth and the kids would smile graciously but I swear I could hear their internal eye roll. The coup de grace was when I said to their eldest, “Did you know you crawled like a butt dragging crab your first year?” after which I immediately wanted to say , “Just shoot me now” but then I would not just seem old but unstable.

On Friday afternoon, while the kids were in school, my friends and I and their dog Liberty drove down to San Diego. To be honest, I expected San Diego to feel a lot like Los Angeles only more conservative and with warships, but the feel was very different. It was cooler in temperature being on the water, quite clean and modern and even with the high rises there was so much space! (coming from a city with no space, I suspect I will feel like this a lot) So they drove me all around the downtown neighborhoods, the barrios and the up and coming ones, and they talked about all the amazing things in San Diego I would not have time to do. My only request was to see the statue of the iconic kiss between the sailor and nurse. My friends were sure it was located behind the large hotels on the waterfront and we couldn’t get to it when we accidentally happened upon it as we were headed home (did I mention my friends had lived there for an entire year and the husband was former military?)

The statue was much larger than I thought. I learned the actual kiss took place in New York City’s Time Square on V-J Day and that it was totally spontaneous between two strangers.  While we were there a few couples would mirror the smooch pose in front for pictures and there were a few kids who kept climbing around the feet. As we turned to go we were met by this smiling, barrel-chested Chinese man who didn’t speak a word of English. He vigorously motioned and pointed with us which I finally understood to mean he wanted a picture with my friend (who had their dog on leash) in front of the statue. It seemed like an odd request but then my friend was blonde and beautiful, I would guess lots of people would want a picture with her.

My friend was game to be in the photo so I took the guys’ phone and tried my best with the glaring sun on the camera screen to frame them with the statue just right. When I handed the camera back and he checked the photo he was quite unhappy. More motioning and pointing ensued and I realized that what he wanted most of all was the dog in the photo. Now true their dog Liberty is adorable, but with the language barrier it was impossible to know the reason why (but we had fun speculating later) Several photo attempts later he still wasn’t happy so I just forgot the statue behind them and focused on him with the dog and the blonde and all was well. Each to his own, right?

Departure day came and with it an unspoken sadness not knowing when we’d see each other next. They made me an egg sandwich for the road, I said something cretinous to the kids like, “Don’t grow up too fast!” and we promised not to let four years go by again before the next time. While I pulled out of San Diego with a long list of things I didn’t do I drove away with no regrets. I was full of the love and joy that comes with rekindling a great friendship and that is by far the best “Thing to Do” in any destination.