Today we're taking a wild ride through the sun-kissed boulevards, the foggy hills, and the avocado-filled grocery stores of the one and only - California. California, the Golden State, is a place where dreams come true, or so they say (but no matter what they say, I confirm, it's a dream factory). 

It's a place where you can surf in the morning, ski in the afternoon, and still have time for a Hollywood premiere in the evening. It's a place where you can find a vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, ethically sourced, fair-trade, locally grown, organic kale smoothie on every corner. And it's also a place where you can experience all four seasons in a single day, if you're brave enough to venture from the sunny beaches to the snowy mountains. 

First things first, let's talk about the weather. California is famous for its sunny, warm climate, but let me tell you, it's not always sunshine and rainbows. Sometimes it's sunshine and...fog. Yes, you heard it right. If you're living in San Francisco, you'll get to know our dear friend, Karl the Fog. Karl is like that uninvited guest who shows up at your party and refuses to leave. One moment you're enjoying a sunny day at the beach, and the next, you're engulfed in a chilly, gray mist. But hey, it's all part of the charm, right? 

Now, let's move on to the food. California is a foodie's paradise. From the freshest seafood in San Francisco, to the best Mexican food outside of Mexico in San Diego, to the gourmet food trucks in LA, there's something for everyone. And can't forget about the avocados. Oh, the avocados! They're everywhere. They're in your salad, they're on your toast, they're in your smoothie. They're even in your ice cream. Yes, avocado ice cream is a thing here. And it's surprisingly delicious. But beware, the price of avocados can fluctuate more than Bitcoin. One day you're buying a bag for $5, the next day it's $20. It's a high-stakes game, my friends. 

Living in California also means sharing your space with some interesting wildlife. And by interesting, I mean raccoons that can open your trash cans, coyotes that roam the streets at night, and squirrels that are so bold they'll practically take the food right out of your hand. And remember about the mountain lions. Yes, mountain lions. They're like the celebrities of the animal kingdom here. Rarely seen, but always talked about. 

Speaking of celebrities, time to talk about Hollywood. Living in California, especially in Los Angeles, means you're always just one degree of separation from someone famous. Your barista might be an aspiring actor, your Uber driver might be a screenwriter, and your neighbor might be a reality TV star. You might even find yourself in the background of a movie scene while you're just going about your day (yes, yes, true story - but hola hola, it happens also in one beautiful island called Santorini...). It's like living in a perpetual episode of "Entourage." 

But it's not all glitz and glamour. Living in California also means dealing with traffic. Oh, the traffic. It's like a never-ending game of Tetris, but with cars. You haven't truly experienced California until you've sat in bumper-to-bumper traffic on the 405 during rush hour. It's a rite of passage. It's a test of patience. It's a lesson in the art of car karaoke. And let's not even get started on the parking. Finding a parking spot in LA is like finding a unicorn (and I'm one of them). It's a mythical creature that everyone talks about but no one has actually seen. You might find yourself circling the block for what feels like hours, only to end up parking a mile away from your destination. But hey, at least it's good exercise, right? 

Thinking of exercise, good to mention the fitness culture. California is the land of yoga pants and green juice. It's a place where hiking is considered a social activity and where "spin class" is a legitimate answer to the question, "What are you doing this weekend?" It's a place where people take their dogs surfing and where rollerblading is still a thing. Yes, rollerblading - now you know why I have kinda lot of rollerblading pics on my Instagram, huh? It's like the '90s never left. But it's not all about the physical here. 

California is also a hub for tech and innovation. Silicon Valley, located in the Bay Area, is home to some of the biggest tech companies in the world. It's a place where self-driving cars are a common sight and where people talk about algorithms and artificial intelligence like it's casual dinner conversation. It's a place where everyone has a start-up idea and where the phrase "I'm in between jobs" actually means "I'm working on my app." 

Now a minute for the natural beauty. From the stunning coastline of Big Sur, to the towering redwoods of Sequoia National Park, to the breathtaking views of Yosemite, California is a nature lover's paradise. It's a place where you can watch the sunrise over the desert in Joshua Tree, then admire the sunset over the ocean in Malibu. It's a place where you can go whale watching in the morning, then stargaze in the desert at night. 

But despite all its quirks and eccentricities, there's something truly magical about California. It's a place where anything seems possible. It's a place where you can be whoever you want to be.  Where you can feel like a hero or a celebrity. It's a place where you can chase your dreams, no matter how big or small. It's a place where you can find beauty in the unexpected, from the fog rolling in over the Golden Gate Bridge, to the sight of a mountain lion in your backyard. 

It's a place where you can find community, whether it's among the surfers at Huntington Beach, the artists in Venice, or the techies in Silicon Valley. 

So yes, California might be a land of traffic and expensive avocados, of foggy days and celebrity sightings, of start-ups and fitness fanatics. But it's also a land of dreamers and doers, of innovators and creators, of diversity and acceptance. It's a place that's as complex as it is captivating, as challenging as it is rewarding. It's a place that, once you've experienced, you'll never forget. And that, my friends, is the wild ride that is California. 

Now, let's jump onto the cultural roller-coaster. This state is a kaleidoscope of cultures, a place where you can hear a symphony of languages in a single city block. You can find Little Italy, Chinatown, Little Saigon, Little Ethiopia, and more, all within the confines of the Golden State. It's like a world tour without ever leaving the state (so why to be a flight attendant and fly around the world if I have it all here, huh?). And with this cultural diversity comes a plethora of festivals and celebrations. From the colorful parades of Chinese New Year to the vibrant dances of Cinco de Mayo, there's always a reason to celebrate in California. 

And speaking of celebrations, let's talk about wine. California is the wine country of the US. The vineyards of Napa and Sonoma are like the Beverly Hills of grapes. They're where the rich and famous of the wine world reside. A wine tour in these regions is a must for any wine enthusiast. But be warned, after a day of wine tasting, you might find yourself buying a case of wine that costs more than your monthly rent. But hey, who needs to eat when you have wine, right? 

Now, dive and move on to the sports scene. California is home to some of the most successful sports teams in the country. From the Golden State Warriors in basketball to the San Francisco Giants in baseball, to the LA Galaxy in soccer, there's a team for every sports fan. And remember about the surfers (that's me haha). They're the real athletes here. They battle the waves like gladiators in an arena, with the Pacific Ocean as their battleground. It's a thrilling spectacle that's quintessentially Californian. 

Oh, spectacles, there's of course the fashion scene. California is the birthplace of casual chic. It's a place where flip-flops are considered acceptable footwear for almost any occasion and where it's perfectly normal to wear sunglasses indoors. It's a place where you can wear a bikini top as a bra and where wearing a hoodie to a business meeting is not only acceptable but also fashionable. It's a place where the dress code is "come as you are" and where individuality is celebrated. 

And the music scene? From the hip-hop beats of Compton to the indie rock vibes of Silver Lake, to the country tunes of Bakersfield, California is a symphony of sounds. It's a place where you can find a music festival every weekend and where garage bands are as common as garages. It's a place where you can hear live music at the grocery store, at the beach, even at the airport (ughhh, if it wasn't noisy enough). It's like living in a never-ending music festival. 

This big star - Burning Man, can't be forgotten! This annual event, held in the Nevada desert, is like the unofficial state fair of California. It's a place where the weird, the wild, and the wonderful come together in a celebration of art, self-expression, and community. It's a place where you can see a man juggling fire, a woman riding a giant mechanical seahorse, and a group of people dancing in a dust storm, all in the same day. It's a place where the unexpected is the norm and where the only rule is to be yourself. 

But wait, wait, wait... There are also some really cool places producing experts of this planet... California is home to some of the top universities in the world, including Stanford, UC Berkeley, and Caltech. It's a place where innovation and creativity are nurtured, where the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and doers are being shaped. It's a place where you can study anything from quantum physics to puppetry, from artificial intelligence to ancient history. It's a place where knowledge is power and where education is valued (and this made me feel a need of studying and growing my knowledge under the American flag too).

Now... The mysterious side of California... Booo!This state is home to some of the most intriguing and unexplained phenomena. From the eerie silence of the Mojave Desert to the strange lights over the San Francisco Bay, there's always something that defies explanation (like actually most of the stuff happening around lol). And let's not forget about the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, a mansion with staircases that lead to nowhere and doors that open to walls. It's said to be haunted by the ghosts of those killed with Winchester rifles. Spooky, right?

And speaking of spooky, let's sneak into the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. This is not your average graveyard. It's a place where you can find the final resting places of some of Hollywood's biggest stars, from Judy Garland to Johnny Ramone. It's also a place where you can watch classic movies on a giant outdoor screen, with the stars above and the stars below. It's a uniquely Californian experience.

Almost the end, but we have also not-so-sci-fi future in creation in here, just around the neighborhood - SpaceX. This aerospace manufacturer and space transport services company, founded by Elon Musk, is pushing the boundaries of what's possible. From launching rockets to colonizing Mars, they're turning science fiction into science fact. It's a testament to the pioneering spirit that's so characteristic of California. Do you guys think that one day I'll switch from airplanes to space rockets and change flying around Earth to flying around Mars? Don't be so serious, just kidding ;)  

Now, we are reaching my favorite part - Natural disasters. From earthquakes to wildfires, California is a place where Mother Nature reminds us of her power (yes, humans are still not the most powerful creatures in the world). It's a place where you can experience the ground shaking beneath your feet and see the sky turn orange from the flames. It's a place where resilience is tested and where community comes together in times of crisis, happening more and more often. Ah, and hurricanes, tornados and floods... They love us here too, right?

And speaking of community, let's talk about the people. Californians are a breed of their own. They're dreamers and doers, innovators and creators. They're people who aren't afraid to take risks, to push boundaries, to think outside the box (that's why I fit in so well). They're people who embrace diversity, who champion equality, who fight for what they believe in. They're people who make California the unique, vibrant, and dynamic place that it is, and that I truly fell in love with.

So, there you have it. The wild ride that is California. It's a place of sunshine and fog, of avocados and tech start-ups, of Hollywood stars and mountain lions. It's a place of beauty and chaos, of dreams and challenges, of the ordinary and the extraordinary. It's a place that's as unpredictable as it is unforgettable. It's a place that, once you've experienced, you'll never forget. And that, my friends, is the crazy, mysterious, and utterly captivating charm of my California.

Cheers for you guys, drinking my favorite malibu to the rhythm of ocean waves and enjoying the beach life 🥥🌴