Architectural Mix

Built in 1930, the El Primero is one of two zigzag modern
design structures in Chula Vista with an art deco flair interior.

Such detail in the window design.

Right next door to the hotel.

Old style clock along Third Avenue.

Neon-colored bike shop.

Wooden structure houses new bakery.

Diverse styles on this street....glad I had a chance to see the El Primero hotel.

So intrigued by this jewel of a building that sets itself apart from the others.

Eating Cactus at El Comal

Heaps of cheese, guacamole and sour cream are often considered obligatory in Mexican restaurants judging by the frequency they show up on the plate.

El Comal in Third Avenue Village in Chula Vista offers authentic homemade Mexican cuisine.

A comal is a smooth flat griddle.

Mariachi band played and took requests.

Not a typical menu - beef tongue (Lengua) and goat meat (Birria) were listed.

Along with salt, bright-colored spices rimmed the glass and flavored the margarita.

I ordered the Huarache Azteca - thin sandal-shaped platform of maize baked on a comal layered with carne asada, cactus, beans, lettuce, tomato and cotija cheese.

For me, the strips of green cactus stole the show - really delicious and hearty paired with the carne asada.

Classic Car with a Twist

At the Cinco de Mayo Celebration in Chula Vista, there were classic automobiles lined up in the street.

All shiny and ready to show off.

But the red car had a little something extra.

An extra arm in the wheel well.

An extra leg underneath.

And don't get me started on the driver and his passenger.

Who obviously had tossed back a few.

The red car got all the attention.

Even the trunk was full of surprises!

This classic in mint condition was not the least bit disturbing.

So no one was taking photos of this beauty...

School Bus Lot

Just off the 805, south of the 52, is an enormous lot.

Filled with one school bus after another after another.

Lined up.

Numbered.

Orderly.

 Waiting for Monday.

Cinco de Mayo

Headed south to Chula Vista.

A few miles from the border of Mexico.

To celebrate the holiday.

There was music, dancing, vivid colors, hair adornments and headpieces.

That knew no bounds.

What a way to brighten a somewhat overcast day.

There were also booths --- to show off birds and win fish.

Rides for the little ones.

Face painting.

And to wrap up the day. 

And your life. 

A booth promoting a local funeral parlor.

Didn't see that one coming...

Even after passing by Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead).

Chocolate or Blueberry Cleanse?

Shaded from the sun, eating salads and drinking unsweetened iced tea, we talked about kick-starting the month of May with a juice cleanse or a fast or a fruit-and-vegetable-only day or some other radical departure from the way we have been indulging recently. 

As we deliberated over what type of plan would be best, we were offered a dessert menu.

And since we were at the Cheesecake Factory, there were two pages of options.

Like the Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake shown below.

Which I happily would have split with my husband.

But he felt it made more sense to get the Wild Blueberry Cheesecake. Since it contained fruit.

Thus easing the transition into a possible juice cleanse.

Winding up the month of April has been delicious!

Leucadia Gardens, Pt. 6

Each of the gardens that we toured in Leucadia was distinct.

Here is the garden that transports you to a tropical island.

Exotic blooms.

Winding pathways.

Waterfall.

Swimming pool.

Cabana for dining.

Frog fountain.

Never a wrong turn - something to delight the senses around every bend.

Koi pond.

Cabana for lounging.

Abundance of colors and textures.

Even a putting green.