Friday, August 2, 2002

Breakfast at DuPar's, the restaurant in the Ramada we were staying. Checked out of the Ramada. We stayed 3 nights. Our room rate was US$135 per night, which was the cheapest we could find in this area for these days for a room that would sleep four people. Parking was $18 per car per night. Our bill came to $532.65. Our Internet connection didn't work at all, and neither did the Internet kiosk in the lobby of the Ramada. Santa Palm Car wash. On our way to the 405 we stopped at a red light at Robertson and Santa Monica Boulevard. To our astonishment, a man wearing oversized clothes did 3 cartwheels in the crosswalk before us, crossing the half the street as he cartwheeled. When he finished, he jumped up and put his hands in the air. We didn't realize immediately what was going on. Patrick just thought he was very happy about something. After the man finished, he held out a worn, styrofoam cup to nearby cars like ours waiting for a green light. His gig seemed to be "cartwheels for cash," and it made my heart warm to see homeless people who still knew how to keep fit. Traffic on the way to Laguna Beach. Checked in to the Coast Inn, where we stayed in Room 29. Late lunch at Laguna Village Cafe where the view of the ocean was amazing and the service was exceptionally slow. The large table next to us had a fit when a seagull crapped on about 5 of the diners at once. Rented movies at Gay Mart. Relaxed, took a nap. Late dinner at Woody's, which we very much enjoyed. I especially liked the umbrellas which served multiple purposes: they were heatlamps, they provided lighting by way of a small lamp directed at the inside of the umbrella, and they provided protection from birdshit. You could tell that they were also quite adjustable, allowing the restaurant staff to open and close and reposition them as desired. The entire restaurant and bar was packed during our meal, mostly men between 20 and 40—a very social scene. Patrick had the ahi poke tower starter with the monkfish entree. I had the caesar salad and the mahi mahi. Patrick also had a glass of pinot la crema. I had an iced tea. For dessert, two coffees and one chocolate torte. Our bill came to US$86.20 before tip. Dinner here was enjoyable in all respects. The food was delicious. Our server Hector was attentive. The crowd was amiable. We'd come back again for certain. We went to the Boom Boom Room before 9 PM so that we could get in for free. The DJ in the front bar area pleased us more than the DJ in the back dance area. This was so much the case that Patrick told him as much.