Peggy Sue's 50's Diner

Peggy Sue’s is an original roadside Diner at Yermo, 10 miles north of Barstow, on California Interstate 15 between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. It was built in 1954 with 9 counter stools and 3 booths. It sits in the shadow of the Calico Mountains and was built from railroad ties and mortar from the nearby Union Pacific Rail yard. It was reopened in 1987 with an attempt to restore and preserve it in its original state. The diner was the perfect place to display the owners extensive collection of movie and TV memorabilia.

If you are driving on I-15 between Los Angeles and Las Vegas take a break at Yermo some 10 miles north of Barstow and visit Peggy Sue's 50's diner. Entering the diner is like entering a time warp - everything is 50's .... the decor, the music, the memorabelia, the waitress' uniforms. The food is basic American diner-style food; burgers, fries, chicken, pork chops, biscuits and gravy, old fashioned ice cream, malts, sundaes, floats with a selection of period-style dessert pies.

As you enter the diner you are asked to seat yourself .... "Follow the yellow brick road!" the waitress shouts out .... a yellow line painted on the checkerboard floor leading you to the multiple rooms of the diner. We were lucky to grab a booth in the first small portion of the diner giving us a great view of the original counter and stools.

There are numerous statues around the diner with the Blues Brothers, Elvis and Marilyn Monroe and the walls are adorned with an incredible selection of photographs and memorabilia.

There is a pizza restaurant through the back of the diner and they also have a dinosaur theme park and a 5 & dime store to buy numerous unique items. Even the rest rooms are decorated with wonderful wall murals.

This restaurant is extremely authentic and you can almost feel you have been transported back in the 50's era. After driving through the Mojave desert for a few hours this place is a most welcome stopping and resting point - highly recommended.

Sleep

All over Asia I have witnessed an incredible ability of people to sleep almost anywhere. No matter what cramped situation, noisy location or downright dirty environment people have no problems in making themselves comfortable and getting some shut eye. Oh how I wish I could learn that ability.  Even on long haul flights of 12 hours I am the guy who is sitting straight up with eyes wide open while everyone around me is making the most of it.

The meat market above in Siem Reap was a great example where this lady simply slung up her hammock over the stall and got busy with the Zzzz's.

So whether it's a hammock a floor mat or a chair Asians are well experienced of getting horizontal if only for a short while. This lady above has neatly propped her legs up the wall and placed a straw fan over her eyes as shades.

And ... it doesn't really matter what you look like. Again the Asians have apparently no shame or worry about appearances ..... this old guy in Urumqi in West China has laid himself out in the middle of the town square and taken off his shoes to get comfy. Holy socks ...... not a problem. They call it ventilation!

This guy in Hangzhou, China has chosen a perfect spot in front of some grand old doors and complete with his "Nordic Casual Style" sleeping bag he can sleep throughout the cold winter night.

Or if you're a taxi driver, lorry driver or trishaw rider you have already the perfect place to stretch out and snooze as seen here with this trishaw rider in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

Break Time

This shoe shiner in Madrid, Spain takes a break to read the paper during a quiet spell. I loved the contrast of strong colours between the red of his chair and the green wall behind.

Sleeping Man

This man decided to lay out in the middle of the central area of Urumqi, China and take a long doze. You can tell it's a hot day as has shaded his eyes with his cap and is wearing his specially designed socks with ventilation holes!

You can see this image and many more in my newly designed website gallery.

Butcher's Breaktime

This butcher in the market in Siem Reap, Cambodia had a unique technique for taking a break during the busy day .... a hammock strung over the meat table! Simple, ingenious ... but perhaps not particularly hygienic.