A Palm Springs getaway

A day before New Year eve, we arrived in Palm Springs, traversing traffic jammed freeways for many hours more than we had expected. And it was a mistake to go through entire Los Angeles when the cars and SUVs were merciless and fuming, holiday bound and restless to reach their destination.

But once we reached Palm Springs, it was worth all the gas fumes and the short distance of fog in which we nearly lost our way. This small town of only 35,000 population is very hot in summer. The desert sands, of which it is composed, blazes and raises the temperature. We were there at the best time of the year. The air was cool and pleasant, and we felt hardly any difference from our home in Santa Barbara.
Palm Springs is a quaint town. The decorative lights gave it a festive appearance, which was elevated in mood by the art galleries and arts and crafts displays. It was clear instantly that there is a thriving art industry in Palm Springs. The visitor pamphlet informed us that Thursdays, special art shows are held in a wide area where people could come and have a look and pick good art.
There was no dearth of interesting restaurants around town. And the variety was large for such a small place. It served Thai food at many places, as it did Japanese, Italian, Mexican, and Indian food apart from the American stuff. Many of these places offered Happy Hours for beer and drinks, and unmistakably that drew in customers and kept their bar full.

I read Kazuo Ishiguro's first novel

Kazuo Ishiguro's first novel, A Pale View of the Hills, is about a Japanese woman who remarries, relocates to England, and how her decision to live life in this way is so much similar to Sachiko, the woman she had met long time ago, and her child Mariko who loved cats.

Nowhere is it told blatantly that she is a woman who decides on her own, or is strong. But she does make decisions in the end. She turns out to be a woman with a mind of her own.

The feeling of Japan - Nagasaki and Fukuoka - of England (London, and rural England), and of America - in the American tourist they meet at a fair - are well-blended into the story, without being loud about it. Things are implied, soft and subtle, and one could feel the Japanese etiquette and reverence in the way they spoke.

The effects of World War II, in the thread of the father-in-law coming to visit them comes through clearly. The postcard representation of the War symbols are to an extent funny and humorous to her.

There is an underlying thread of suspense and mystery. There are at least stories beautifully intertwined.