From cars to feets - Mission Streets!

Having spent the final Saturday of my US adventure driving out of town and admiring cars, Sunday afternoon was spent reclaiming the roads with fellow pedestrians at the Mission Streets event.

Before that though, one half of Team Brunch (the other half were out of town) decided to honour our Sunday tradition and eat. This time we stayed within two blocks of my sublet and tried out Andalu. I had never been there before, and whenever I passed it, I always had the feeling it was overpriced and probably mediocre in food deliciousness.

Well, I am happy to report that this was not the case! I had, what was probably one of my favourite brunch meals of the trip - crab cakes benedict with polenta fries, spinach salad and fruit. Oh, and a mimosa, served the way it should be - in a champagne flute!


I have never really been a fan of polenta, and to be honest I can probably count the amount of times I have tried it on one hand. However, these fries were really yummy, and as a bonus, their half moon shape could bring a smile to anyone's face...


Now as if this wasn't enough to make me want to come back, not only were the prices good (brunch plates all $10 and under and champagne cocktails under $5) and the music amazing (soul classics), but they bring you out a bowl of warm, fluffy, cinnamon doughnut holes whilst you wait for your food to be served. Andalu, for this you have won my heart, and I will be back to visit you (and use those complimentary coupons for 2 free mimosas that you gave us) again!


From Andalu, we headed down Valencia for 'walk in the street' day....and walked in the street.

There is something quite novel about being able to roam free when roads are closed off, however the novelty wears off pretty quickly, especially when there is nothing to actually see apart from crowds of people walking or riding their bicycles all over the place.




I have seen plenty of streets closed off for events or carnivals, but when there is nothing actually going on, it is a little less exciting.

The main highlight for me was stumbling upon a group of people dancing to a stereo outside someone's house - now, dancing in the streets is what I call fun!


What's even more fun, is dancing in the streets to the sounds of MJ and then wondering off to eat delicious, creamy bourbon and cornflake Humphry Slocombe ice cream...and then returning to dance to 'Footloose' and 'Dancing in the Street'...

Road Zombies Car Show.

Mention the words 'all you can eat BBQ' and you are pretty much guaranteed to have my attention.

Throw in some hot rods, danceable music and sunshine, and I'm there.

So on Saturday, the 15th annual Road Zombies Car Club BBQ took place at the Elks Lodge in Santa Clara, where I got to check out The Go Getters once again, as well as eat all manner of burgers, pasta salads, fruit and cookies.

Now it has to be said, that as well as the car show itself, I enjoyed the drive there and back too - not because it was scenic (it wasn't) but because the conversation had me in stitches, as well as being educational (I now know what a 'bat wing' is....although I'd kind of rather I didn't). Double dating is fun - especially when you all have a tendency for sarcastic/silly/smutty humour!


So when we arrived the sun was shining and a load of good lookin' cars were lined up on the grass. Everything was outdoors, with the BBQ and music under a sheltered section that was filled with tables and benches so you could sit in the shade and chow down. It was great to be able to spend the whole day outdoors rather than cooped up in some building.

Actually, this was more like how I was hoping Sacramento Swing Time would be. I think I just seem to have an inbuilt programme that makes me want to spend as much time as possible outside when it is sunny and warm (I don't know if this is because living in England, you learn that you must take advantage of every opportunity you have to enjoy good weather) - that and I really love al fresco dancing.




Knowing my penchant for BBQ, and feeling hungry like the wolf upon arrival, I was expecting to really go for it when I saw the plethora of food on display. However, one plate of food later I was full. Weird...

The Go Getters played a set with an interval in between. I have to say, I preferred them here, than when I saw them at Verdi. I'm not sure if this is because I was so impressed with Ray Collins' Hot Club that night, and they just sort of paled in comparison...either way, I enjoyed listening to them and dancing a bit. Also, whoever the dj was, he played an awesome selection of tunes!




Whilst wandering around taking photos of cars, I stumbled upon a fellow Brit - and from Harrow in London, no less! My ears always prick up when I am at an event like this and I hear a British accent floating about in the distance. As it turns out, he is a classic car photographer living in Santa Clara, and after discussing the wonders of California and the difficulties in obtaining a green card, I went and did a little bit of my own classic car photography...








Other highlights from the day included: receiving a beautiful lily hair fascinator as a gift, laying about in the grass (I'm glad we brought a blanket) as the raffle prizes were being called out, and witnessing the consumption of what was, perhaps, the biggest pickle I have ever seen.


Having been to more car shows in the past couple of months, than I have in my whole lifetime, I am starting feel like it really is time for me to learn to drive...

Bright light city set my soul on fire...

It's been nearly two weeks since Viva Las Vegas and I am still marvelling at all the fun I had....as well as planning my return next year...

What a truly amazing weekend of good old fashioned fun and frolics! After hearing about Viva a couple of years ago, and never having had the chance to go, I finally got round to it this April and it was definitely worth the wait. As well as catching up with friends, I also made lots of wonderful new friends, listened to a lot of great music, admired all the fabulous outfits, got my buffet fix, lusted after all the vintage and retro clothes and accessories on sale, danced my little socks off...and drank booze out of a plastic cowboy boot. Of course.

As well as being entertained by bay area favourites The Hi-Rythm Hustlers, The B-Stars and The Royal Deuces - all of which played blinding shows - I gotta say I was wowed by the wonderful Wanda Jackson. She still has it. In bucketloads. She pulled in a huge crowd, but as ever, that didn't stop my happy feet and I still managed to find space for a dancie dance. Fun.

As a fan of weekenders, I have to say that this has been my best one to date. It had the perfect balance of bands, djs, dancing, style, vendors, glamour and entertainment (fashion show, burlesque competition, tiki pool party, jive contest, car show...) and the fact that it was all held at one hotel (The Orleans) made it really easy to flit about. It was also great to be in the comfort of a hotel, as opposed to the damp and crusty old chalets of the UK holiday camps...I suppose I was particularly comfortable, given that when I went to check in, I was informed that the hotel was very full, so I had been upgraded to a suite. Hello jacuzzi hot tub....fire place....3 bathrooms...kitchen...6 televisions...

My trip was rounded off nicely when I went to board my flight to San Francisco and I was informed that the flight was very full, so I had been upgraded. Lots of legroom = happy Mel.

Luxury, you have found me, and I never want to give you up.

www.vivalasvegas.net