It’s All Maya!

6 of us went to New York City.
8 of us flew to Texas.
10 of us traveled to Phoenix.
6 of us continued on to Las Vegas.

So when the decision was made to fly to San Francisco, you know it wasn’t going to be just Patrick and I getting on that plane!  Nope, there were eleven of us!!!

As any well seasoned traveler knows, just getting two people to agree on where to go and what to do is already a chore; imagine getting eleven people wanting to do the same thing, especially when the ages range from 13 years-old to 87 years-young!!!

Once again we rented a mini bus to take us up and down the coast.  Everyone wanted to see the Redwoods so up to Eureka we headed where there had recently been a 6.5 earthquake that still had many of the locals on edge!  The people in Eureka are as hospitable as one could ever hope to meet, especially when the eleven of us invaded restaurants, shops, and hotels just by entering their establishments.

Someone suggested going to a fast-food chain for a milkshake.  It was a great idea!  It’s something that just doesn’t come to mind when you’ve spent years living in France and never snack in between meals.  I couldn’t wait to have a vanilla milkshake!  The first in over 25 years!  (No kidding!)  I was already imagining how good it would taste, so I didn’t notice the young girls and ladies looking our way.

As several of them made their way over to us, they stopped to ask if it was really him, Johnny Depp…..  “Where, where?” I wanted to know or was the thick, creamy, milkshake too much for me and making me drunk?!!!

Young girl:  “Are you really Johnny Depp?”
My Nephew:  (Small chuckle)  “No, I get that a lot.”
Lady:  “You look just like him!”  (She was actually swooning!)
Another girl:  “Are you here for a movie?”
My Nephew:  “No, we’re just visiting the area.”
Young girl:  “Can I take a picture with you?”
My Nephew:  “Sure, no problem.”

One after another, photos were taken.  Uh, but when did this turn from looking like Johnny to being Johnny??? I thought, as I slurped my delicious milkshake.  We teased Anthony about it later, but he’s use to it.  If it’s not Johnny Depp, then they mistake him for Benjamin Bratt.  Which reminded me of the time I had come back to the States after an absence of about ten years.  My mother, brother and I were walking into a store when a sales clerk came running up to me all excited….

Sales Clerk:  “Is it you, is it really you?!!!”
Me:  “Yes!  It’s me!” I answered somewhat surprised.  Do I know this girl? I wondered.
Sales Clerk:  “Oh I just love you!” she stared at me with adoring eyes.
Me:  “Uh, wait….who do you think I am?”
Sales Clerk:  “Why….Maria Conchita Alonso.”
Me:  “Maria….Con….Who???”

My brother started laughing.  “You don’t know who Maria Conchita Alonso is?”  Uh, no….she wasn’t big in France so I had no idea who she was, but the poor sales girl was so disappointed that I wasn’t her - I should have played along.

Maya Muses:  We spent the night in Eureka before heading back down the Avenue of the Giants the next day back to San Francisco.  Dinner was at a cozy, but busy, seafood restaurant.  It was Johnny Depp and his entourage!  They opened up their banquet room to accommodate us.  Really friendly service, but the chef was way too heavy on the salt.  From the Clam Chowder to the Seafood Fettuccine it was just too salty to appreciate.

Photo Credits:  Personal Photos and Google Images