Guerilla In The Mist

Today was one of those days when Dogtown is Fogtown ... and that's when my friend Edgar from Costa Rica was coming for his first visit to California ever. It was not at all the stereotypical bright sunshine and blue skies kind of day that those who have only ever seen Venice on t.v. or in movies have come to expect. You could barely SEE the water from the Boardwalk, but you knew it was there.

The good thing about Venice is that it's cool no matter what the weather. We walked the Boardwalk, as you must, and I was happy to see the fog hadn't dampened any spirits. The street performers and vendors - and their attendant crowds -  were still out in force. I particularly liked this guerilla Venice sculpture put up by a creative soul down there. We ducked into Hinano's to show the Costa Rican boy a true Venice experience, and by the time we came back outside, the sun had peeked through very far off over the ocean's horizon, turning the water all silvery. The beauty is always there ... sometimes you just have to look a little harder for it ... and then it's even more worth it. Good life lessons ... for a Pura Vida!

A Fogtown Morning

I think I walked on the beach this morning, but I can't really be sure. It was so foggy you literally could not see a person walking toward you until they were right there. I almost walked into the pier. It was mysterious and awesome, and felt kind of special, since almost no one was out there.

On the return trip, I saw hardy and determined Spring Breaker families out there with their towels and beach umbrellas ... hoping for the best. I had headphones in, and though it was a perfect morning for Radiohead, the soundtrack was made even better by the fog horns punctuating the beats.

Venice is beautiful in the sunshine, and beautiful in the rain. The fog brings out something else though, both softening its edges, and making you aware of them - when you smack right into them. As I type, the sun is poking through, and the folks on holiday will be rewarded for their patience ... but I'll bet they remember the fog more. They were all in it together, and it was all theirs. Special.