Dallas & Fort Worth, Texas

07/01/2013, Monday, Dallas, Texas

We arrived in Texas last Friday night, and F. 's first stop was again the emergency room. He was shaking on the plane. L. has diarrhea. She is very uncomfortable. Two sick people in the family again... This time we are staying with Ç. and causing them such discomfort. L. cries a lot, does not eat anything. Quite a difficult situation...

Our first day in Texas was spent visiting F.'s high school friend and a distant non-blood relative. This was when we first saw Texas' s straight, wide and empty land as well as endless roads.

We have seen the street where Kennedy was shot, which is in the city center of Dallas. 

It can be considered as a quite small, typical American town center. We were not able to see many people on the streets.

Fort Worth city center (an hour away from Dallas) is also similar, but a bit livelier, with a population browsing the streets.

Fort Worth Stockyards is a proper Texan cowboy town as I pictured in my mind. 

Of course, at the moment it is quite touristy, but at least it can be considered authentic.

Here it is possible to see oxen, called Longhorns, with horns of spectacular beauty as well as cowboys wandering on their horses (all for tourists, I am sure). 

Nevertheless, this is exactly how I would imagine a cowboy town to be.

Beverly Dr., Hillside Park neighborhood in Dallas is an area of large wealthy estates. But the most eye-catching and memorable sight in Texas for me have been the highways.

It is as if the entire state is knitted with roads and highways. Roads built over roads are like a science fiction film, reminiscent of another planet.

The Southfork Ranch in Murphy where the famous soap opera Dallas was filmed, as everywhere in Texas (probably because of the current season), is covered with dry yellow grass, and in fact is not worth a visit. 

Most of the episodes (indoor scenes) were shot in a studio in Southern California. 

Outdoor scenes were filmed in front of this farm house, which is actually quite small. 

The current owners now redecorated the inside of the house, but in fact while the series were filmed, there was still a family living in here. The actual size of the house does not correspond at all to what appears on the screen. It is incredibly small.

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Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez and the Vineyards

27/12/2012, Thursday, Santa Barbara, CA

Last night L. woke up at 3 am with 38.5 degree fever. I was very worried that it was going to worsen. Thank God, her fever dropped and during the day her coughing reduced. But she still has a very runny nose and is sneezy. At least, her respiratory canals are open and she doesn’t have a headache.

After leaving Beverly Hills, we continued our journey towards Santa Barbara on the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). The view was spectacular. 

We passed by the blue and calm ocean and wide, clean, sandy beaches on our left and green hills and mountains with palm trees and cacti on our right. 

We passed through Malibu. The houses here block the ocean view but this doesn’t last long. The nature and roads of this region made me forget completely that I am in America. In places, I felt like I was in Southern Turkey and in some in Southern France. I would have never guessed that there is such natural beauty in America.

We settled in room 6 at Blue Sands Motel for tonight. Thank God that F. seems to be getting better too. As our journey tomorrow will be long, we have decided to go to Neverland today. Since the age of 11-12, I used to study these regions, mountains and roads in the atlas and try to figure out where Neverland is. I have dreamt of and tried coming here for years. It was meant for today.

As we drove up the Santa Ynez Mountains, I was overcome by a variety of emotions in the face of incomparable beauty and peacefulness of the nature. 

As I was gob smacked by the natural beauty, I understood fully well why Michael chose to live here. 

These heavenly mountains and valley are far away from all the bustling, ugliness and dirt. Besides peace, my heart was palpating and my mouth was dry as if I was going to Michael’s concert.

I knew that the private equity firm, which now controls Neverland didn’t leave anything here. Nevertheless, I would have regretted not coming and stepping my foot here. Of course, it is impossible to enter the ranch. Even though the land is very large, it is surrounded with wires. Actually, my plan was to jump over and go in but F. warned me that the security would arrest me.

Nothing is left from Michael’s days at Neverland’s main gate. 

There are curious cars and people coming to the gate. It is impossible to see the house from the entrance. Fans have written their names and thoughts on the rocks at the entrance and the gate. 

One sent a Christmas tree along with a Christmas card underneath. F. gave me a pen and so I wrote our three names, the date and that we always love him.

There were a couple of cars on the other side of the gate. Suddenly a blond, ice blue eyed man appeared and told me off to not park our car on the grass. 

He definitely did not look like security. I guess that he was an employee of the private equity firm. He had no resemblance to Tarek with whom I met at Encino. Nevertheless, in order to avoid regret, I asked if it is possible to go in. He bluntly answered: “This is a private property.” Without a choice, we headed back. In the meantime, we saw a wild cat sitting peacefully in the ranch. Once he saw us, he ran away jumping. Then he stopped and started watching us. 

This is really a peace of heaven. I am not surprised at all that Michael chose this place for peace and happiness. But neither Michael deserves to be lying inside that cold marble in Forest Lawn nor Neverland deserves to be ripped off of its old days and separated from Michael’s fans.

On our way to our next stop Solvang, we passed through the town of Los Olivos of which Neverland is a part. 

I haven’t seen a single African American here or in all of Santa Barbara. There are Hispanics but especially in the Santa Ynez Valley and Los Olivos, there are only whites and even Red Necks in some places. No wonder Michael faced difficulties here in the last years.

In this beautiful valley, there are vineyards and wineries. As I saw the settlements in this area, I became very jealous of the inhabitants-Michael’s neighbors. Whoever wanted could have easily seen and met with Michael.  

Solvang is a very cute and pretty Danish town. 

The settlers have really created a very nice and cute Denmark here. 

I kept on thinking that Michael also came here, passed through these roads (close to his home) so many times. Then I started crying again. First, they were tears of happiness. God granted me the opportunity to come and see here. I am incredibly happy, very lucky. Then a little bit of tears of sadness. If I weren’t so late in coming here…

We had our dinner at a Mexican restaurant called Los Agavos in Santa Barbara. Finally, we have found a Mexican restaurant just as we wanted with a very delicious menu!

28/12/2012, Friday

My dear L. cried almost the entire night. Of course, we don’t know what was bothering her but I think she had gas. My poor baby couldn’t get enough rest. I wish she would get well fully…

It is possible to see hawks in Santa Ynez and over the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH).

After a short walk in the morning on the beach and by the ocean, we had a splendid breakfast at Joe’s Café on State Street (Santa Barbara). 

I can easily say that I had never had such quality “American” breakfast before in the US. After going around a little in this beautiful town, we started our journey towards Northern California on the PCH surrounded by views of the ocean and green mountains and fields. I really liked Santa Barbara, especially the Santa Ynez Mountains and Valley. I easily understand why people choose to retire here and why Michael chose here to find peace and happiness.  

But this place gave Michael both happiness and loneliness as well as big pain towards the end. The redneck prosecutor of the time was obsessed with him. He didn’t have a place here as an African American. On the other hand, a jury consisting of Caucasians exonerated him. But it was too late. Big wounds were carved in his soul. This fairy town and nature staged a big tragedy.

It was as if I had already seen and known these roads, mountains and nature in Santa Ynez. I never felt like a newcomer. Very strange. I keep on thinking that I wish I could have come when he was alive. I feel regret. But when I was broke, internet and transport were not as developed, it was more difficult. I am constantly trying to bring him back. I need to stop this. The past is in the past. I need to accept that. Now, he is with the Creator, safe and resting. God willing, he is in peace. But I am infinitely grateful to the Creator. Now, I have accomplished all I wanted in life. Now my life is completely and solely dedicated to L. and F. I pray for the same for everyone else.

There is only one more thing I am going to add about this topic. There is absolutely not an iota of thing in the memory of Michael Jackson in Santa Barbara even though it was the place where this important and famous person lived. His name is not written anywhere. I haven’t seen his picture anywhere. His trace is erased even from Neverland. The superficial success of racism and jealousy. It is impossible to erase love and the truth from hearts and mind.

The Pismo Beach was our next stop. 

It is mainly a camper’s beach. Nevertheless, the beach’s width, sand and water are amazing. The waves are ideal for surfers.

In fact, PCH is not that different than Aegean roads. But nature here is unspoilt.

As the dark settled, we just arrived at Butterfly Grove Inn in Pacific Grove. We settled in room 12. As Pacific Grove is a very small town, the restaurant options are very limited. Wherever we tried was packed full. We chose the restaurant with the shortest waiting time of 20 minutes…

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Las Vegas (Nevada), Grand Canyon (Arizona) & Palm Springs (California)

12.19.2012, Wednesday, Las Vegas, Nevada

This is our first ever long distance trip with our 15 month old baby L. The 11-hour plane ride has not been as challenging as I feared. Dear L. has been wonderful during the journey. But everything has changed  after settling in our room number 1603 at the Platinum Hotel in Las Vegas. It is now 1:47 AM and L. has been awake for 3 hours. She woke up screaming. She is just not used to the time yet, of course.

The Las Vegas view as the plane was descending was incredible. We dived into the middle of an ocean, full of light. An incalculable waste of energy. As we drove on the famous Strip, waste and other kinds of extremism have become obvious. Our hotel is not a gambling hotel and therefore I am very pleased. It has very nice suites, complimentary valet and is very comfortable to stay with a 15-month-old baby.  Oh, I only wish she would sleep when she is supposed to ....The airline has forgotten our stroller in London. I don’t know how we will carry a 10 kg. baby in our arms as we go around  town all day.

...

15:00

We spent the morning hours exploring Las Vegas. In fact, I'm surprised that this is such a small town. The airport is almost within the city.  It is an artificial city, which has been created as a fantasy world to make money from tourists.  For this reason, everything (from gambling to strip clubs to daily weddings)is permitted.

Like many cities in the United States, I feel a gap between buildings and people. The hotels and casinos here were inspired by major cities in Europe but they lack street life, interpersonal relationships and intimacy. Today, among the many homeless and drunks I have seen, one sight was the most touching. On the wide highways and among the great American cars, a man was riding his bike.  He was carrying his dog at the back with a sign reading “He is All I Have.” It was impossible not to be touched by this scene (especially considering the waste, extremism and spiritual decadence in this town).

19:50

We had the opportunity to roam in Vegas after the dark set in, lights illuminated eye-catching buildings. 

The Venetian Hotel is particularly interesting and impressive.

It is a mistake to call such places simply hotels or casinos because they each have around 30 restaurants, major shopping centers, concert and exhibition halls. Each hotel is the imitation of a city as well as almost a city in itself. The money spent in and around these places is extreme. These hotels in the middle of the desert attracts thousands of tourists every day (with no history, beauty, relying on the past). This was a brand new experience for me. But for me, the day’s most beautiful and special moment was when L. and I walked hand in hand for the first time. The most beautiful sight was L. 's smile and happiness.

Notes: The country is grieving over the shooting of school children in Newton, Connecticut. However, billboards and shops selling guns are very prominent even at the airport. It is very scary and sad to see.

12/21/2012, Friday, Grand Canyon, Arizona

(Today, according to the Mayan calender, it will be the end of the world).

Our journey from Las Vegas to Arizona started through the desert and the nature eventually changed in a way that is reminiscent of the views of the South Aegean and Mediterranean regions in Turkey. 

As we reached 6300 m high in Grand Canyon and minus 14 degrees Celcius, we saw snow covered forests. We stopped by the Hoover Dam for a break situated right on the Nevada and Arizona border.

Grand Canyon is literally a natural wonder. 

It's glorious, majestic, and from place to place frightening because of the depth. 

It is really worth seeing. Canyon’s different waves of color are a work of art. 

This is a paradise for geologists. While driving in the Grand Canyon Park, we came across a female deer standing right in the middle of the road.

This snowy image in front of us was like a dream. There are also pumas living in the park.

12/22/2012, Saturday, Palm Springs, California

On our way to Palm Springs, we decided to drive through the back roads instead of the short cut and go through places that we are accustomed to seeing in the Wild West films. So our first stop was the Mojave Desert. The unique Joshua trees surround the desert. 

These trees were given their name by Mormons who likened them to Prophet Joshua raising his hands up to pray, just like the upward branches of the trees.

Our next stop was the Kelso Sand Dunes. 

It was interesting to see sandy formations in a rocky and stony desert. 

We stopped by the sleepy town of Ambroy, which is very quiet, empty like a typical cowboy town. The town of 29 Palms and its surroundings made us feel like we were in Mexico. All places had Spanish names. The architecture and faces were reminiscent of Mexico.

Palm Springs is truly an oasis in the middle of the desert. Even though it is arid, Mediterranean climate can be felt with the colorful bougainvillea surrounding the town. Palm trees surrounding the roads add to the charm of this settlement. 50-60 years ago, this was the holiday destination of  Hollywood stars. 

Today, it is a resort town for rich pensioners . 

It is quite different than other towns I have seen in the U.S. so far.  The boutiques, museums, architecture are very stylish and good quality. Palm Springs is a must-see stopover between Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

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