I wasn’t going to blog our weekend in Solana Beach because it was one of those rabble-rousing weekends of debauchery BUT as I was going over my photos (I took my camera with me!) I realized I had more to say about this fun little weekend trip than I thought! Added value, right?

First of all I cannot express how much fun the train ride is. On the way to the races it was quite crowded and rowdy and even though we had splurged on business class we didn’t actually end up in business class or reap any of the business class benefits. However, on the way home on Sunday we did and let me tell you, they treat you like first class!

Free snacks, free water, free coffee, free tiny bottles of wine, free smiles and jokes from the guy who collects your ticket… It was actually really amazing and you only pay $10 extra! You get way better treatment in business class than you ever would on first class on an airplane. It’s like the trains are still back in time.

So before they figure out they are losing money you should treat yourself to a little surfliner cruise. It’s really fun, peaceful (I love watching out the windows) and you meet new people. And I haven’t even mentioned the BEST PART OF ALL: you beat the traffic on the 405 on a weekend! It’s so satisfying to look out the window as you whiz past zillions of cars stuck in traffic. SO LONG SUCKERS! you’ll say in your brain. Trains are the BEST.

Next best thing about our Solana Beach weekend is my friend Erika’s parents’ condo. Having a friend with a vacation condo is key. I really love her condo because it is all white and if I blur my eyes I can pretend I am vacationing on a Greek island. It’s close enough to the ocean to see it from their balcony but not close enough to actually walk, unless you really want to get a good walk in. But that’s okay because we were there for the Del Mar races anyway.

I’m not like a super huge race or gambling fan but I can appreciate it once a year or so. There’s something fun and exciting about being in the stands with a bunch of people and rooting for a horse that has a pretty name. Payam is much more of a gambler than any of us and he actually referred to some stats in a book but that was way beyond me. I was obviously more into picture taking and having a drink or three.

In fact I had so many drinks I had some pictures in my camera that I don’t even remember taking. These people look like fun.

I’m not sure why I took their picture but it looks like they were a fun bunch.

Most of all it was fun being with our friends. It was Erika’s birthday so we celebrated all day long, like you do. Lots of good food, lots of drinks and lots of being silly.

But before any of you worry about me being an alcoholic (believe me, I worry too) let me share that I have seriously cut down and because of that I’ve lost weight! Go figure! I used to love a glass of wine when I was cooking a complicated recipe but I’ve cut wine out completely (watching my sugar intake) and after a week of not having it I didn’t even miss it anymore! I think I was addicted to the sugar and not the alcohol. Of course, I still love a Persian margarita  (lime, lots of ice and expensive tequila) now and then but I’ll save the caloric drinking for special occasions with awesome train rides, white condos and friends.