Palm Springs

Yesterday afternoon we drove to Palm Springs.

In some ways, this is like any other American desert city (think Phoenix, Los Angeles). Grid pattern roads, big roads, lots of big shopping malls, big car parks, big cars and trucks, dry and brown, with certain areas of well watered green grass.

Helen booked us into an Inn which at first glance looks like something out of a Quentin Tarantino movie. The reception looks like it hasn't been renovated since the 70s and there's an old Cadillac parked out front. On further inspection it's just decorated to look retro (to fit the aging style of the building itself no doubt).

What makes this town different is that it isn't so busy. The traffic is light, driving around is easier than LA and not as aggressive. There's money around, along Highway 111 there are large dealerships for BMW, Audi and Mercedes but also Maserati, Aston Martin, Bentley. Also some amazing dealerships for classic American cars which are all glistening chrome and vinyl. There are old people everywhere, some scary with facelifts, too much suntan, old ladies dressed up like teenagers, and so on. There are country clubs at every turn. Plenty of blue rinse here. Very entertaining and great for people watching.

The town is set right on the edge of mountains (not Switzerland type mountains, just California type mountains, like brown hills to us New Zealanders) but it's a nice setting and the silouettes at sunset are beautiful especially with the ample palm trees all over town.

So plenty to see as we cruise around in our gas guzzler. Shopping wise, we have everything we need yet don't have the traffic hassles. We easily filled in our day and our remaining baggage allowance.

We stay here again tonight. Tomorrow Helen wants to visit an outlet mall nearby, which we passed yesterday and it looks gigantic. That could be tomorrow spoken for I think. It's our second to last day in America before heading home to NZ.