California Love

Posted on March 31, 2014 by The Roaming Bean in California Love // 2 Comments

Santa Monica at Sunset
Santa Monica at Sunset

Santa Monica at Sunset

I have a confession:

I’m a total California snob.

I’ve lived here all my life, born and raised right outside of the City of Angels itself, yet I know my way around other cities, even countries, better than my neighborhood. Maybe it’s the the “grass is greener on the other side” thing, maybe I just don’t know how great my state is (based on everyone else’s opinions), so I’m putting an end to my snobbery. Well, at least I am trying.

My international travels have been put on a hold for a small period, and now I will be checking out what the Sunshine State is really about, starting with a trip to Northern California next week. I’ve been a few times, yet I didn’t really absorb all that area of my state has to offer, so I am looking forward to seeing things through a new set of eyes. I’m also really excited about a trip into Napa to relax in the vineyards get wasted off booze.

When I’m not on the road, I’m hitting all the festivals, food trucks, restaurant openings, and anything else I can manage to do.

Don’t fail me, California… Let’s do this….

About The Roaming Bean (109 Articles)
You're probably wondering what the heck is a "Roaming Bean"... Given that I am clearly not a Bean, and my name is Jen, what gives with this Bean thing, right? A friend of mine called me JenBean as a child, and it kinda stuck. Actually, it really stuck... even my license plate says Jenbean. And seeing as I have this grand lust to wander the world, The Roaming Bean seemed suitable. I've changed my career path more times than I have my underwear (minus all the times I've gone commando).... from animating, to forensic pathology, to international business, to fashion marketing and even to my wonderful and favorite of the bunch, degree in culinary arts, nothing kept my attention. Nothing was fun enough to do every day for the rest of my life. I mean, even though I cooked for celebrities in the heart of Hollywood, CA, why the hell would I want to sweat my ass off in a ridiculously HOT kitchen for most of the day and go home smelling like beef and onions? And the chef hat?? Do you know what that did to my hair?? Enter traveling.... The rainy day I descended down the tower of Notre Dame in Paris, gripping on to the railing for dear life so not to slip and tumble to an early death from the torrential down pour that was causing a small flood in the stairwell, my life changed. When I safely made it to the ground, legs shaky from an apparent lack of fitness it requires to walk up and down 387 steep stairs, I realized my hands were stained a delightful copper color from the rusted hand rail I had so dearly clung to. Desperate to get the icky stuff off my supple hands, and no running water in sight, I did what any other hopeless idiot would have done: I washed my hands in the nearest Parisian gutter. It was that moment that changed my life... I threw away my hair dryer, my rolling luggage and my dignity. I let my hair go natural, I bought a back pack and I CAMPED through Europe for a month and a half. Yes my friends, I crossed over into a savage traveling beast. Ok, a lot of people travel that way. But I didn't. And I'm so incredibly thankful for that rainy day in Paris that made me realize the world is a pretty sweet place. That realization led me on a quest; a quest to get out there, see things, soak up some local culture and eat my way around the world (with minimal food-related illnesses, such as but not limited to raging diarrhea).

2 Comments on California Love

  1. Su-sieee! Mac // April 4, 2014 at 5:57 pm // Reply

    Everywhere I’ve been outside of California, I usually think of how that somewhere looks like someplace I know in California. I suppose that makes me a snob, too. I live in Hollister, California by the way. I do a blog called Take 25 to Hollister, but that’s not what I’ve linked up with the A to Z challenge. Happy Roaming. 🙂
    The View from the Top of the Ladder

  2. Connie Morris // April 1, 2014 at 8:54 am // Reply

    Great idea, I recently met a couple from Canada who were here to visit some of our national parks. They made the comment that our national park system was the best ever. HMMMM made me think, we really do forget what a beautiful country “we” live in. So enjoy discovering California.

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