Day 41: Las Quatro Milpas

As a San Diego native, I grew up on hole-in-the-wall Mexican food.  Usually, we ate at places near our house (Spring Valley and National City), but we also ate outside our comfort zone.  One day, my dad came home from work (while he was in the Navy) raving about a place in the Barrio called Las Quatro Milpas, or as we call it Milpas.  Milpas is off Cesar Chavez Blvd between downtown San Diego and the Coronado Bay Bridge.  It's only open 11am-2pm because the neighborhood is so bad.  It's always packed with military, police, fireman, and persons of Mexican descent (which sounds bad, but that's how you know it's good!).  My family has been eating there for over 20 years.

Today, I took my coworker, Eddie, to Milpas for his first time.  Eddie offered to help me buy our Walt Disney World tickets on 32nd St ($135 for a 4 day park hopper...a great deal, we saved over $840), so I decided to take him to lunch (Milpas is on the way). My dad could have bought them in Texas, but it's a two hour drive, so I volunteered to buy them through one of my many retired Navy friends.  

If you want to try Milpas, head down there around 11am, otherwise the line can get a little long.  I always order five rolled tacos with no lettuce (sour cream, salsa, and cheese included) and a Diet Pepsi, while Eddie chose two chicken tacos, a Chorizo,  Beans, and Rice bowl, tortillas, and a Coke...all for $12.75 (a bargain for two people).  Today, Milpas did not disappoint.  As soon as we left, Eddie wanted to go back for more food :)  I love authentic Mexican food.

Day 3: Air Travel

This morning, as I sit at the airport waiting to fly back to San Diego, I am very thankful for air travel.  If air travel wasn't possible, I wouldn't be able to see my family and friends (who live far away) nearly as often as I do.  I couldn't drive the 22 hours to my parent's home in Plano, TX, except maybe once a year.  In 2011, I flew to Boise, Idaho for my Grandfather's 80th birthday; San Francisco, California for Meghan's 30th Birthday and baby shower; and Dallas, Texas 5 times including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and a family vacation.  I also had multiple friends and family members visit me in San Diego.

I didn't step on a plane until I was almost 18 years old, but I haven't stopped flying since then.  My first flight took me to San Jose, CA with my high school Key Club (a service club).  We spent a couple days at a conference, but had plenty of fun, too.  Since then, I've been to Texas (too many times to count), Philadelphia, Baltimore, Charleston, Seattle, Hawaii, and Australia (just to name a few places).  I actually love flying alone...I read, listen to music, make to do lists, and play sudoku, but I also love traveling with my friends (Stacey, Sonja, Barbie, etc).  My favorite airlines are Southwest (for quick trips) and American (for anywhere else). 

In 1st quarter 2012, I already have vacations planned to San Francisco, CA to see the Murphy Family (I can't wait to meet Baby Liam) and Orlando, FL to visit Walt Disney World (for Monroe's first trip to see Mickey Mouse and to meet my new nephew for the first time).  I know you will see lots of posts about those trips :).