Woke up to a crisp morning for an early morning flight to San Jose. We really didn't want to leave Seattle.
45 minutes past our pickup time, it became apparent that perhaps our shuttle didn't want us to leave either.
To be fair, the driver made up for it with a consistent 80mph+ dash to the airport.
Better than coffee.
First Southwest fly was sort of like an inter-island flight.
... with a much prettier view.
Landed in San Jose and reunited with two bundles of cute.
TOTEMO KAWAII DESU YO!
Booked it to Monterey to spend the day at the aquarium, and get reacquainted with a stranger.
Game-faces.
It's the simple things. Really.
Anne kanpais!
The fog quickly rolled in as night fell, casting a haunting shadow unto the old buildings. It was gorgeous.
The drive back to San Jose was filled with great conversation. Quote of the ride, "I physically grew up in Hawaii, but my mind flourished in San Jose."
@ IKEA.
Once again, the visit started off with a tease of $7.99 end tables I would never be able to take home with me. ARGH.
Their cafeteria is actually a-ok. Spinach crepes made my mouth want more.
Speaking of food ...
Chipotle, why you so good? More importantly, why no Hawaii locations?!!
California requisite.
Had THE best ramen, complete with gorgeous noodles garnished in a deeply flavorful, yet light, broth from a small shop in the corner of a strip mall. The pork ... ohmygosh.
@ Fry's.
Brah.
@ Kinokuniya Book Store
It's an art. Really.
@ Google. The campus is amazing.
You really can find everything you never even thought of at Google.
Google fixies! WANT WANT WANT WANT WANT.
One our way out, we passed an employee on one of these fixies with an uncased Macbook Pro jangling back and forth in the basket. Dude.
San Jose is interesting. Pretty much everyone is a transplant with a sharp focus on the future. Usually my brain moves at a faster speed than my mouth, yet for some reason they sync'd on this trip. It was nice to shoot around various opinions and receive what seemed to be well-thought out, honest answers. Really nice.
Our stay was only for a few days, but it was enough to strengthen some lingering resolutions. Filed those thoughts for another day, though, as San Francisco (& mom and bro) awaited!
Lurk
+
Shuttle Express+
Southwest Airlines+
Monterey Bay Aquarium+
IKEA+
Chipotle Mexican Grill+
In-N-Out Burger+
Fry's Home Electronics+
Kinokuniya Bookstore+
Google
