I arrived in San Diego after 24h of continuous travel. Customs was a bit of a joke. The airport had an apparent problem in handling the amount of arriving passengers. I estimate more than 500 people waiting to register their luggage and only a few officers trying to handle the situation. Customs reduced to someone picking up the pre-filled forms as fast as possible… Not that I had much value on me.

Waiting at Customs: The two red lights at the back of the hall mark about the end of the line.

The first thing I noticed about San Diego was its nice temperature and climate, even at night. The second impression I received during my cab ride from the airport to the hotel along the Pacific Highway: “This looks like GTA: Vice City”. The buildings along the seaside highway are illuminated in bright colours and palm trees are planted all along the road – I arrived at the West Coast.

Urban Sunset.

All I know about this area comes from either computer games or TV-shows, so these are the kind of comparisons I’ll make. My hotel – you whatchin’ any US-crime shows or thrillers? – there is always an L-shaped 2-story motel with roadside access to the rooms. The kind of place where prostitutes meet their customers and addicts their Nirvana. This is where I reside. As far as I can tell it is only the architecture that resembles my pop-media fuelled expectations.

Here’s something I already know about San Diego: This must be one of the nicest smelling cities on the planet. Lots of plants are blooming. A sweet odour that mixes with salty, fresh pacific air and a slight hint of smoky barbecue. Wouldn’t be surprised to find someone selling bottled San Diego air.

San Diego Maritime Museum. Free admission this day. USS Dolphin in front.

I entered the submarine. It looked quite ready to go. In fact its last mission was in 2006. The periscope was functional, the rudder wasn’t. I tried both.

Mediterranean flora is all over the place…

…making me want to work outside.

The USS Midway’s rear. Too large to pass the Panama Canal.

Riiiight into the Danger Zone.

Being an important Navy harbour San Diego is full of references to the Military…

…and also to related pop-culture.

cc-by Jonas Schöley