Let’s discuss California.
Now that I have finally been there, I think I can comment on it. (Actually I was in California twenty years ago on a family vacation, but I don’t think we ever went to a major metropolitan area.)
The people there were friendly. And, in a surprising difference from other places I’ve been, they were not fat. Healthy people were a common sight. Also, I didn’t see as many American flags as I’m used to. This state really is different from every other one in the union.
The problem with L.A. is that, to get anywhere, you need to drive. And the driving there is terrible. Very slow. A local told me that most people rarely leave an area of five miles from where they live. I can believe that. The city also makes driving feel threatening. In several places I saw those barbs that would sherd your car’s tires if you go through in the wrong direction. Are people there that ignorant of the rules that they need to threaten you with hundreds of dollars in damage? No forgiveness for driving here.
Palm trees were a common enough vegetation. In Canada, when the leaves fall from the trees, they are easy to sweep away. When a palm tree frond falls, it becomes a major traffic hazard.
My biggest regret was that I wasn’t busier there. Most of the time I was just flapping in the breeze and going along with whatever was happening. This was not an efficient use of my time. But now that I have knowledge, I think I could plan a much better trip. One where I am going non-stop. That is how my vacations should be.