San Francisco International Airport

This is the final post for my San Francisco Seattle trip to the USA. I woke this morning in our Seattle apartment, had a leisurely brekky and we packed our suitcases which of course now have to carry the extras that we've purchased while here. Sensibly, and as somewhat seasoned travellers, we spread them over our two bags to even out the weight and not violate the restrictions that would incur a fee.

We had a very smooth ride out to the airport and sat in one of those fancy eateries that charge like wounded bulls to eat some chips and drink a beer. It was nice, and I must say, the view out over the tarmac through the curved windows was spectacular.

``Our flight was uneventful, which is the way you want them. I read another chapter of my novel, Migrations by Charlotte Conaghy, while Chris listened to music. I took some pics of Puget Sound from the air which just looked like a postcard. Stunningly beautiful. And a few pics too of Mt Rainier in its snow-covered glory. A shame we never got out there to see it in the flesh. But them's the breaks with holiday sickness. You have go with the flow, adjust, and make the best.

Coming into San Fran was special. You get a great view of the city surrounded by the mountains. We have a six hour hour lay over here and fly out tonight at 11pm, having arrived 4.20pm. It's all good though. We've had dinner, I have done some more DuoLingo and we've just now come for a walk and are sitting back with a beer and a wine while I write this 'last post'.

Despite the interposition of illness, which I'm still not fully recovered from, I have enjoyed this holiday. Both cities have their own magic, their own sensibility, their own way of getting in. San Fran is adorable in so many ways, but it was my third visit to the city by the bay, and I feel a certain familiarity with it. Seeing it with Chris for our second go has been special. It can bring delight so quickly.

Seattle has been an eye-opener. It's like there are two Seattles, one by day, and one by night. The one by day seems deserted except for tourists like us and the odd local going about their business. But by night, the neon signs are illuminated, the cafes and restaurants fill up and there is life and energy here. It's quite lovely and has a great feel.

Our visit to the US has coincided with the beginning weeks of the Trump presidency. There is no getting away from it. I am still processing it all, like so many others. I have always felt the man was fake, that the little show he put on at his rallies with all the usual greatest hits is performative. I think he prefers rallies to governing. They stroke his ego more.

I don't really think Trump stands for much at all other than fueling his planet-sized ego. I suspect he's quite malleable. His treatment of friends and allies has been appalling. I watched in dismay his treatment of President Zelensky in the Oval Office with he and his little attack terrier Vance set upon him to humiliate him in front of the world. I think that backfired. As one of my brothers might say, "he shit in his own nest".

Having read The Forever War by Nick Bryant, and bought another similar tome here to read when I get back home, I am convinced that America is broken, broken to its DNA, its origin story no less traumatic and obscene than our own. The US has a long way to go to heal the wounds of its inherent racism, its greed, its capitalistic democracy, and its acceptance of the poverty/wealth divide as being normal. I see such beauty here as you will see in some of the pics, such incredible potential in the brains trust America has been given, yet their politics is broken, they do not know how to govern themselves nor how to foster a just and equitable society.

I have a renewed appreciation for my own country Australia. I said it before in an earlier post, but I am convinced along with Paul Keating that we have created a better society than America's. And ours needs work! America's is on life support. Life and values are similar but different in Australia. I would say now after three weeks back here, better. I can't not think it.

Chris and I have a big year before us. We are both optimistic and come what may, we'll continue to face life together just as we have for the last twenty-five years, holding each other up, being there for each other. So to the United States, it's good night, good bye and good luck.Read more