Sylvia's Journal

First Axel and I got spoiled, on our way to California. An upgrade to first class on the short hop to New York, then a personal pick up at the jetway by Delta Customer Experience rep Carol who whisked us away in a Delta Porsche across the runways to a far off terminal from where our San Fransisco flight would leave one hour later. The only thing missing from our total delight was an upgrade on the second leg of our trip. But we are not complaining, as the car rental agency also upgraded the smallest car we had rented to a more comfortable size.

Although Sita and family had arrived two hours earlier on a direct flight from Boston, we pulled up at the same time at the Asilomar Conference grounds and state park on the Monterey Peninsula, in Pacific Grove.

While Sita and Axel were busy networking with nearly hundred people who had streamed in from all corners of the world to basically change the way we do business and interact with one another, Jim and I explored the peninsula and the things it had to offer to a four year and a one year old. We met each other ar mealtimes.

The conference center consist of various large standalone halls, built in the Arts and Crafts style in between the world wars, designed by architect Julia Morgan for the YWCA. The houses, the rooms, and even the designs of carpets, curtains and furniture are spectacukar in their simplicity and charm. The sticker price of our three days there was also spectacular and gave us a hint of how Califrnia keeps itself running with about six lines of taxes and fees slapped onto what was already a significant bill for food and lodging.

And so I also spoiled Faro, with constant attention and an occasional icecream, lots of hugs and bedtime stories. I spoiled Sita by being a free babysitter, and Jim by being a companion.