Our Golden Gate Experience

Despite the weather channel forecasting a 100% chance of rain our 2nd full day in San Francisco, we decided to bike across the Golden Gate Bridge and on to Sausalito as planned. After being sized for bicycles and fitted with helmets we were given a map and directions so fast that even the micro machine's announcer (or for a more timely reference, the Jimmy John's announcer) would be proud. It was smooth sailing... uh, biking... to the bay and up toward the bridge. Ironically, the cafe where we had planned to have breakfast, The Warming Hut, had burned down. Too warm, I guess. We went ahead with empty tummies. Just about the time we were ready to cross the bridge the sky opened up. Despite the very wet journey, crossing the bridge was an exhilarating experience. We definitely weren't the only ones braving the weather but clearly the most amateur. After crossing the bridge, our map was not clearly marked and none of us could quite recall what the lady at the bike shop had instructed. We made our way up and down hills and even through a one-way tunnel thinking we were headed to Sausalito... and lunch... but we had gone astray. When we came upon a friendly biker, he chuckled as he told us we were nearly to the ocean when we really needed to be by the bay! So back up the hill, through the tunnel, down the hill, and up the hill we went and FINALLY arrived in Sausalito. By this time it was after 1pm and we were famished. We had a great lunch in a cafe by the bay and did some window shopping. Our journey had taken so long with the detour that we weren't able to bike on to Tiburon. We finally dried off and went to board the ferry with our bikes to take us back across the bay when the weather decided it was not quite done with us. The sky again opened up and winds blew the rain nearly sideways at us. Soaked now for the second time, exhausted from the biking, and looking forward to a hot shower, I almost cried. We finally made our way back to San Francisco only to realize the ferry dropped us off at Pier 1 (not the store!) not Pier 30 like our trusty (?) map had led us to believe... the bike shop was near pier 41. So we mounted our bikes again and somehow pedalled back to the shop. Not wanting to move one more inch, we cabbed our way back to hotel for a long awaited shower.

After a little relaxation, we went to dinner at the Stinking Rose. If you peak at the linked pictures you will see I actually took a picture of my dinner because it was sooooo wonderful. I must tell you that I order Zuppa di Pesce every time I see it on a menu, it is definitely one of my favorite things in the whole world to eat... and you know I love to eat! But this was the best meal I may have eaten so far in my 28 years of life (sorry mom!). It was full of whole crab legs, mussels, fish, and garlic! I am salivating just thinking of it. After Ari and his parents were finally able to roll me away from the table, we made our way to see Beach Blanket Babylon. It is this crazy musical that parodies pop culture. When I went to pick up the tickets at will call I had a little surprise... I bought 8 tickets instead of 4! The first time I purchased them online, it said and error had occurred so I bought them again! I was so upset because it was raining (in case you were wondering... even when I haven't directly mentioned it, it was pretty much at least drizzling every day) and I thought there would be no way people would wait outside to find someone to buy tickets from since the show was sold out. Luckily, I was wrong. Someone needed 4 tickets and I was glad not to make a $200 mistake! The show was AWESOME!! It was funny and the singing and costumes were fabulous. Definitely a must see if you are ever in San Fran. It is constantly updated, too, so even locals love it.

Hailing the Chief Farewell

In a sad state of events, Chief Illiniwek was retired this week secondary to the NCAA banning post-season athletics at Illinois for the use of what it deemed a demeaning mascot. Those of you who know me well know that I am a truly proud U of I alumnus and have always supported the chief as our mascot. I thought supporting him acknowledged the native American culture of Illinois. I have known people that have had the honor of being this mascot and know how hard they worked to bring honor to him and the university. I am deeply saddened that he will know longer be a part of the tradition that is the University of Illinois. So long Chief Illiniwek.

Alcatraz

After our long walk ending at Fisherman's Wharf, we headed toward the ferry to journey to Alcatraz. We signed up for the night tour... which I totally recommend since you really get the spooky feel when the sun goes down. It was drizzly and damp on the day we went (are you starting to sense a theme?) so it was perfect! I was a little concerned about the ferry since I have a bit of a problem with motion sickness, but everything went fine. Once we got off the ferry, we stood under cover for a moment to hear the history of Alcatraz and then headed up to the big house. To tour the prison, you get to take an audio tour which is so cool... you are led up and down the cell blocks by the narratives of wardens and then get to hear stories from the prisoners' points of view. When you are led outside, there is also an awesome view of the city. What I didn't know was that Alcatraz island has had many purposes besides a prison... it started off as a fort for the army, transitioned to a low security military prison, then became the Alcatraz we know, and actually was home to Indians for some time. By far exploring this relic of the past was one of my favorite things in San Francisco.

When we got back we trollied our way back to our hotel and got cleaned up for dinner at Kan Zamman... a Morrocan restaurant with belly dancers. I wasn't quite so sure we would make it there... our cab driver was driving like he had lost the will to live! Once we arrived, however, the atmosphere was fabulous. We sat on pillows around a low table to eat. The food was superb and the belly dancer could balance a sword on her head while she danced! What a night!!

San Francisco... The Long Walk

Despite the dreary weather, Friday (the 9th) we walked from our hotel to Union Square, through Chinatown and North Beach, and to Fisherman's Wharf. The whole journey was about 4 miles. I played tour guide with my book on San Francisco and pointed out interesting architecture and interesting locations. We enjoyed popping in all the little shops in Chinatown and amazingly avoided buying any knock-offs. In North Beach, there is this really awesome building owned now by Francis Ford Coppola in the flat iron shape sometimes seen in Chicago. What is really interesting, is that someone built its mirror image but modern right next to it. This picture is from telegraph hill. We climbed all the way up to Coit Tower which had fantastic views of the city and Alcatraz. Fisherman's Wharf was fun. We explored Pier 39 (a tourist trap, but we were tourists after all!) and then ate at the famous Boudin Bakery... known for its Sourdough Bread. We also toured the bakery and their museum. It had this funny computer program that told you what kind of bread you are... I'm an olive bread?! Apparently this means I love tradition but every once and awhile am adventurous... you be the judge!

San Francisco...Arrival Day

We arrived in San Francisco last Thursday, February 8th to meet Ari's parents for a mini-vacation. The flights were okay: in the first we had an extra seat to spread out but the second longer one from Minneapolis to San Fran was packed. I have never felt more like a sardine. I was delighted to land and stretch out my legs. We then traveled on to our hotel... The Hotel California (ha!). It is a quaint hotel with a retro feel and just two blocks off union square where the major shopping district is located. Ari's parents had been held up by an accident on the way down from Oregon so we sat in the lobby and enjoyed the complimentary wine cocktail hour. Finally, they arrived and got settled in their room. We sat around and caught up and then made our way for a late dinner at AsiaSF.
Asia SF is restaurant known for its transgender wait staff that put on lip sync shows every hour on the bar top. I figured since we were in San Francisco, we might as well soak in the culture. I started out with a pomegranate mojito and sat back to enjoy the show. Honestly, if you had seen half of the staff on the street you would have sworn they were women! The lipsyncing was a riot. They performed both current popular music by Beyonce and also other older songs, "All by Myself." Skip, the owner, probably entertained us the most with his wild views on drugs... as adults we should be able to pick our drug of choice and go with it! Finally, stuffed to the gills with food we retired for the night.