Coachella Part II

As the sun set on Day 2

Apologies for the finally delay, I had written the entire blog not knowing it was too big and the blogger simply erased the second half, devastated!!!

DAY 3 - Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and Tame Impala

They had balloons over the festival every day.
People would walk around with them attached
changing the patters and adding lights once it got dark
Very cool!

To mix things up at little we decided to step outside the mania that is a festival and head to a cafe for breakfast. As the iPhone had been so successful in finding us an Eski (aka Cooler) we decided to rely on the smart phone to review and find us a close cafe. After a few quick touches of the fingers it had us destined to have breakfast about 7mins away, a place with positive reviews and a good selection of fine American foods, thanks smart phone.

Actually I take that back, it was not a smart phone on this occasion!!! We started driving and as we went the time seemed to increase? Is it not meant to decrease? After 30 mins of the directions changing, increasing and decreasing in time, stomachs rumbling, hangovers setting in we finally found our destination. Thank you technology! I think we were at the furthest Cafe possible from the festival in a completely different town. After the essentials to sustain life we headed back to the festival deciding to take destiny into out own hands. Throwing the phone to the side we simply drove in the direction of the festival. Surprisingly this worked much better, we made it back in half the time, passing numerous Cafes....

VIP next to main stage, where Jessica
Alba was spotted

The remainder of the day was almost  like those past, minimalist clothing, a couple of quiet drinks, food and good music.There was one difference, there was abundant sexual discrimination. Us males usually take the frequent generalizations made about our gender on the chin, we don't complain or make a fuss, but Day 3 was taking it to a new level. It was evident over the past 2 days that security felt males were more likely to smuggle banned substances into the festival, so we were generally checked more closely than females, taking on average twice as long to search as a female search. On day 3 security took it to a new level. To start there are male lines and female lines so you get frisked by the same gender.We entered our respective lines at the same time and location. Each minute Ez moved a step forward and within 10 she was in. During that time I had progressed 1m and still had 10 to go!! Not knowing that sexual discrimination had reached it peak, the males of the population started asking questions and wondering what was going on. Quickly they found out the situation and were informed by others to be prepared for a complete search with exception of that sacred cavity. This actually started laughter around me. The underestimated male race around had anticipated that this day of discrimination after day 1 and had been utilizing the female gender to transport all those banned substances into the event undetected. With time, laughter, banter and a full body search including between the toes and through his thinning hair, I made it through about 40 mins later. Time for music :)  

Upon arrival at the main stage we were treated with the spectacle that is Ghost B.C.We had no idea who they were or what they were like, but they sounded good, the interesting thing was their appearance and staging. We were treated to what could be described as a ritual sacrifice. They were all dressed in black gowns, hoods, masks/makeup and there was some weird stuff happening on stage. Quite entertaining and I would say a little crazy as it was 36 degrees in the shade. This was followed by Airborne Toxic Event, Gaslight Anthem, Lumineers, Tame Impala, Vampire Weekend, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Red Hot Chilli Peppers. One of the highlights was Nick Cave. He puts on a great show and is such an energetic and passionate performer. Obviously the Red Hot Chilli Peppers were awesome and a great way to finish the festival.

All the Coachella art together 

Beautiful festival Feet!

Sunset Final Day

DAY 4 - The beach and home

Day 4 was an early start so we could spend some time at the beach prior to heading back to the desolate Texas. We cruised towards the coast, seeing all the wind turbines and scenery we missed on the dark drive in. It was not a bad drive and around morning tea time we made it to Newport Beach for a cup of tea and biscuits with Jacqueline. She was great, I think she was loving the company. After a chat and with our arms full of Daft Punk merchandise, she gave us directions to all the things we should check out and sent us on our way as she was about to have an art lesson.

We made out way to Laguna  Beach and the sight of the ocean brought a smile to both our faces. Ignoring the other places she suggested we check out, we parked the car, flicked off the shoes, breathed in the salty air and went for a walk along the beach, feeling the grainy sand in between our toes, sun on the face and hearing the small waves crash. We walked for as long as we could, taking in as much as we could and then eventually at the very last minute headed back to the car, to make a bee line for the airport. We were pushing our luck, running late, Az was stressed (super stresed) as he hates being late and we made it to the rental drop off point with 10mins to go before boarding time. We had to then catch a bus to the terminal arriving as the plane was meant to be boarding. We got lucky as 2 things were happening. Firstly as always American Airlines was delayed and secondly there was the sequester. For those who don't know the sequester is a way for the US government to save money. So on particular dates around the USA the government is saving money by only running a skeleton staff in government organisations. Today was the day for airport customs. On entering the terminal there was a line as long as a football field waiting to get through security, Az was positive we would miss out flights. He went straight to the front and managed to talk the guard into letting us slide in at the front. We made out way up the stairs and found another line winding its way towards security. Resigned to the fact that we would be stuck in the airport we slowly made it through and thankfully our flight was delayed by a couple of hours so we arrived just in time to board. Thank you American Airlines! We made it home just after midnight, set our alarm for 6:30am and crashed to get some sleep before work. What a weekend :)

Laguna Beach