The trip was short. It was short for the amount of stuff that we did, but in a way, the trip was almost the right length. Not too long. Not too short. It was just, right.

It’s just a matter of the many different places that we visited and the amount of driving for the short amount of time. Lots of driving. From LA – San Diego, LA – Fresno, Fresno – Union City, which ended up as being home base for a few days.

Looking back, I think in a way one more day would have just been almost perfect. Didn’t have to feel rush to get back on Wednesday morning, not that it felt rushed at all, but I wouldn’t really mind having to spend that Wednesday just hanging out and not doing much, but we had a time schedule to meet and it was pretty good.

Overall, I didn’t have any problems with my bro or mom hanging out with me on this road trip. I really didn’t do much planning but the itinerary, which was made revolving around mom’s schedule and what she wanted to do. The most planning I did was for our Napa day, in terms of what time to leave, what we do for lunch and what wineries to explore before our dinner at the French Laundry.

That was my day. That was my one vacation day out of the bunch and it was actually pretty perfect.

I didn’t feel rushed to do anything. It was a relaxing day of tasting, sitting and chatting and then finally enjoying dinner.

I had a great time just hanging out with my family. I had a great time seeing how mom reacted to each tasting and the faces she’ll make. She’s not a wine drinker, but there are definitely some that she liked more than others. The same with my brother. I believe he has a finer palate than I do, in discerning the different tastes from the wine, whereas I am no such expert or snob. I drink. It goes down easy or it packs a punch.

I’m surprised that my bro managed to drink so much and not be that affected. I was doing really well also, but the wine headache did creep up on me during the ride home.

All in all, a great day.

Thinking back to all the trips that I have taken with my mom, it seems that I am glad that I’m able to bring so many firsts to her. I’m glad that my brother and I are able to give her so many firsts, in terms of Napa, in terms of just trying different foods and cuisines, in terms of exploring new and interesting places, countries. Sure she is a much more veteran world traveler than both my brother and me, but I’m glad that we are able to give her so much and be there to have to experience so much.

Most of it is because she is so adventurous and so easy going in many things. She doesn’t care what she does. She’s just there for the ride, riding along with us, being there with us. In a way, I wonder how much of her is a part of me? How much of that personality, that sense of adventure, that easy going nature/disposition that I got from her and how much I got from my dad. I wonder.

* * *

Food.

I think it is a custom that many eastern cultures lives or that of family revolves around food. It was just a week of eating. It just so happens that whenever I travel, whether alone, but especially with my mom and we are visiting family, it is just food. We eat.

We will refuse to go out or just be satisfied with eating leftovers or just say, we’re not hungry, we will eventually go out and eat. It is how it is done with my family.

Yeah, we have a problem.

But food. All in all, most of the food experiences were good ones, especially those that were my brother’s and my choice. Choices from family, not so much.

Maybe it is just our culture and how family spends time, at the dinner table. It’s how it was growing up for the most part, especially when there was family around, or maybe even why eastern cultures tend to server their food family style.

But yes, food.

The French Laundry.

It was for the most part, a once in a lifetime experience. The food was great. The service, amazing.

I think for the most part, I would want to go back in a different season to see what they have on their daily changing menu, like I would love to go back to Yamakase again in a different season to have different ingredients.

There were many standout dishes. Many. The asparagus pasta, the duck, the lamb. I was impressed with many of them and in the end, even though they were such small plates/servings, I was actually full.

It was a good experience and there were so many little gems and surprises throughout the night. Definitely want to do it again.

My bro stepped up and paid for it all, even though I told him to split it with me.

I would love to do another Napa trip again. Whether with friends, by myself, or even with family. I would love too. Only if it was a little closer.

* * *

I think the only problem I have on the trip is sometimes, family can get too much. There was just way too much family and their constant need to eat. It’ll be a slap in the face if we don’t eat out with them. They want to show us respect by taking us out, I understand that, I know that, but c’mon, we can only eat so much.

Blah. It was just a lot of food. Just a lot of food and there were times when I wasn’t even hungry, but still had to eat.

I love my family, but yeah, sometimes they are just too much and just too stubborn. I believe it is a Ho thing. I am stubborn too, and that is that. It’s something I have to really accept. Just annoying.

I know things would have been so different if it was just me traveling alone. But, it is what it is.