Ocean Beach

Back when I was in San Francisco I met a guy that introduced me to the wonderful world of Coos Coos and told me If I ever made my way to San Diego, that I would need to stay in the Ocean Beech Hostel. It was a one of the greatest places he had ever stayed, with free BBQ on Tuesday. Then when I was in Monterey I sent a few correspondences to the Ocean Beach hostel in attempts of setting up a work exchange. I had grown tired of this frantic pace of traveling and it was starting to wear on me. I just needed a place to relax and recharge before making the long trek back.

I came down the 405 to the 5 exiting at Sea World Dr, taking that to Sunset cliffs Blvd over to Newport Ave. The site on Newport was the quintessential surfer town, bustling with activity. The sides of the streets were littered with surf/skate shops and small places to eat and get your drink on. I found a place a to park and made my way over to the hostel. The first thing that caught my eye when I approached were the 4 long boards leaning against the railing of the porch. My attention to the boards was short lived as a gentleman running down the steps with his surf board nearly knocked me over. I could tell that this was indeed a lively place to stay as the porch was buzzing with activity. Two people were locked in a heated game of checkers and behind them three people laughed and shared stories about their travels. As I walked through the threshold I was immediately guided to a small office area where a I caught a rather large fella engaged in futile attempts to swat flies.
"eh excuse me" I said "are you the."
"why yaz I amz" he spoke in an accent that sounded like it came from the east coast "what can I do fo yaz?" I explained all about how I was in contact with the owner of the hostel and was trying to work out a work exchange. The man gave me a funny look and said "I gotz bad news fo ya, the owner, he aint here'z taday, so I don't know nothin you talking about."
I was dumbfounded that wasn't quite the response I was looking for, So then I asked "when will he back?"
"He'll be back sometime tomaru'z why don't you come back then." He seemed pretty final about the whole thing, so I asked if I could bunk here for the night. He looked at me carefully then said "I need ta see'z your passport." I was confused so I asked "what? I don't have a passport?" then he said "wells then, you can't stay here, this is fo international travelerz only!"
I was frustrated now and trying to rationalize with the man.
"but, but....what if I go to Mexico and come back then I would be an international traveler, then could I stay?" He seemed irritated with me and replied, "No. Canada and Mexico's don't apply eithers!" Just to be a smart ass I said "well what about you? where are you from?" He smirked and said "Me, I'm from Jersey's!" Which judging by this mans IQ made him an international traveler, or just an asshole!

I turned and made my way to the door begrudgingly, and just as I went to step out, the man spoke again.
"Hey....ah if you needz a place to stay'z for the night, you can eh try Point Loma." Point Loma?
I asked where it was.
"well'z, I don't have any maps left, but" he lifted his hand and pointed east, "its that way." I gave out a very frustrated and ironic laugh as I made my way through the door.

I was in a rather desperate mood now, my mind was racing with what I was going to do. I walked a few blocks west and emerged at the beach. Out in the distance I could 30 of so surfers battling it out for waves. I decided to take a seat on a small wall that divided the beach from the sidewalk and just stair out at the pacific and watch. The combination of the warm sun, crashing waves and cool ocean breeze had a wondrous soothing effect and laid my mind at ease. It came to me, that so far with every set back I have experienced, a more wonderful opportunity awaited me.