The In-N-Out Experience

Our last meal in California was at In-N-Out Burger at LAX Airport. In-N-Out has been recommended to me only minutes after we passed immigration and it has been many times again during out stay. Have you eaten already at In-N-Out? was a common phrase. Such highly praised things should not be missed and so we squeezed in this visit. I don't know if it was because of us or or the burgers... we were a group of 11 who showed up together.



The menu is pretty simple: burgers, fries and beverages. the burgers come in three different basic types (hamburger, cheeseburger, double cheeseburger) with a few options. That's it and it tastes delicious - not only for a fast food place. The fries are made fresh by hand at the shop and for the patties, the family owned company has got their own butchery. No microwave, no heat lamp, and no freezer compromise the taste. I loved it.

5 on the Fifth - Fun and Games

This month's 5 on the fifth theme is Fun and Games.

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Gisel and Nallely are dancing into 2011


Eduardito driving a 1965 Ford Mustang


Stuck till grabbed for two quarters in a Denny's


Eduarditos games



Jacqueline enjoying a Coca Cola.

We're back

Yes, our holidays in sunny California are over. We're back in the mild Swiss climate.

Our home base was South Central Los Angeles. Yes, it's exactly the place travel guides recommend not to visit. Although, I was the only pinche güero in sight, I never felt uncomfortable in any way. Toño's relatives took perfectly care of me. I have not the slightest idea, why the gringos make such a fuss about their neighbours from the south. The Mexicans I met set a shining example of taking care of each other and holding together as a family. IMHO you can't wish more upright, decent and hard working citizens.

4th of July Volleyball tournament in South Central LA.

Well the main purpose of our visit, the Quinceañera took place at Desert Hot Springs, which is close to the famous Palm Springs. It set the antipode to our Siberia trip. The thermometer read up to 113°F/45°C. We covered a range of 175°F/97°C and 19 time zones in less than a six months.



The Quinceañera itself was a blast. The unbelievable part was that I spent more time on the dance floor than Toño. There were about 350 people. Many of whom Toño has not seen for years. He is still the better dancer, but he had to catch up a lot with his family.

We also went to Las Vegas to see an uncle and niece of Toño and to Hollywood to meet with a friend from Mexico D.F. who is a director of photography to dine in a house which ones belonged to Charlie Chaplin. You see, there was no time for any sightseeing left.

We're off

We're off to our holidays - sorry, vacations - in sunny California. Actually, it's visiting relatives of Toño. We're invited to a Quinceañera.



Yes. I've got Armistead Maupin's brand spanking new book with me, but we will not go to San Francisco to let our hair down. Our destinations will be Los Angeles to celebrate 4th of July, Palm Springs for the Quinceañera and maybe Las Vegas.

We will be back in a fortnight. See you then. Behave and don't do anything we would not do.

Nueva Helvetia Is Calling

I just has been confirmed that Toño and I will go to California* in July to participate in a Quinceañera, the most important day in the life of a Mexican woman besides of her wedding. We are very exited! Californians, put away the hippies, we are coming!



Wow, this year, we will cover 18 time zones.

* Nueva Helvetia in Spanish, meaning "New Switzerland", was a Mexican-era California settlement (read more)