San Jose Vagabond Inn

... an easy drive to San Jose, our destination for the day.<br><br>We had already seen the Doubletree at the airport when we were leaving the rental car place so it was easy to find. We had a room on the second floor which meant we could take steps instead of elevators and had easy access to the pool and work out room. We went to bed early because my presentation was at 8:30 the next day.

... 8:00 AM 8:00 PM 02/10/09 029 At Sea 02/11/09 030 At Sea 02/12/09 030 Auckland, New ...

... who told me I could stay with her and we shifted plans so that I would go up there tomorrow night. So I spent more time than I thought I would with Lisa, her mom Ellen and her brother Jeffrey. They were gonna go out to party with a Kenyan family they knew but I also wanted to spend time with Peter back at the Freudenberger home so they invited me to walk with them tomorrow morning if I had the time. I went back to the house where we were getting ready to play poker with a friend Amy ...

... fees since Ecuador uses the US dollar - in that case, there's no reason for a fee since there's nocurrency change required, right? No such luck. Citibank will continue to charge the 3% fee for every Ecuadorian charge even though Ecuador uses the US dollar. As you might guess, we're not planning on using our Citibank card much this coming year. (Their ...

... teaspoons of Muggings and Murders, 3 tablespoons of Poor Infrastructure, 1/2 cup of Corruption, 4 ounces of Political Instability, 6 lbs. of Poorly Funded Schools and 1 head of a Neurotic Ruler chopped into small pieces of greed and gluttony. But there is one more ingredient that I have left out, one that may surprise you. I will tell you this ingredient in my last and final entry. Until then, Paul

... could have spelled disaster, i had a teeny map and i'm not too hot with directions, but i surprised meself and did kinda good, with only a few little ventures of goin round in some circles, but generally it was a grand day out, i wandered all over san fran, a park, the levi's section, china town (got a tad lost there - oops) and nearly had another disaster when i tried to get some cash out and the machine decided it liked me card and wanted to keep ...

... darkening landscape below. I can't really see anything, just some desolate, reddish landscape partially obstructed by a few wisps of clouds. From the flight map, it says we're flying over the Great Dividing Range. An imposing name and probably fitting for what looks to me like a dark and lonely place. I begin to second guess myself...again. "What in God's name am I doing flying halfway 'round the world ...

... Well, apparently the trees were named by Mormon settlers who likened the outstretched branches of the tree to the Prophet Joshua raising his hands in supplication and guiding the travelers westward. This peculiar looking plant is extremely thorny and hardy, and the native Americans work its tough leaves into baskets and sandals, and raw or roasted flower buds and seeds make a healthy addition to their diet. Whilst you're in the park, stay on for the spectacular sunsets!

... tourist strip along Bridgeway lined with chic clothing, art galleries and souvenir establishments such as one featuring only refrigerator magnets! One shop that had very striking Japanese Kimono inspired dresses by a Japanese designer was GG's at 755 Bridgeway. We returned to the Casa Madrona to change into more appropriate and warmer clothes for our 6:30-7p, 2-2½ hour Sail on captain Tom's catamaran under the Golden Gate bridge at sunset on the Apparition, a very sleek 38 ...