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!!