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San Francisco - Part 1
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We set off from home on Boxing Day, headed for Newcastle Airport. We were both feeling a little anxious, but also really excited about our trip. We flew down to Heathrow and got stung 25 quid for a 5 minute taxi ride to the hotel (the joys of being in London on Boxing Day). As expected, we got very little sleep and we were up at 5am to go back to the airport for our onward flight to San Francisco. On arriving at Heathrow T3, we checked in and to our horror, we hadn't been sat together ... no way a 10 hour flight sat at opposite ends of the plane. Thankfully Lois not willing to stand for this, approached a lady in a long red coat and somehow managed to wangle it so that we could sit together.Our first thoughts when getting on the plane were 'WOW this is nice' but then when we were ushered further along to our seats, we realised we'd boarded via 1st class ... saying that though, for a 10.5 hour flight it wasn't that bad ... we were sufficiently fed and watered for free all the way (happy days) and although we'd agreed to share the window seat, I was firmly rooted and Lois didn't put up a fight unusually. Saw some beautiful views flying over Canada.We arrived in San Francisco and although we'd been up for 15.5 hours it was only 12.30 lunchtime (8 hours behind) so felt like we had entered the twilight zone. Auntie Paula and our cousin Matthew met us at the airport and drove us to the apartment on Nob Hill, where we dumped our bags. We went for lunch and a walk around downtown. Fueled with Starbucks, we were trying to stay awake as long as possible so we could get on US time. Managed to get a good deal on some bus / cable car passes from some dodgy Aussie. We went back to the flat around 7pm and Auntie Paula headed back to her other place in Marin. As a last attempt to stay awake, I decided to microwave some popcorn and in doing so, blew the fuses in the flat ... We later learned that this is common in San Fran as the buildings are so old and the electrics can be overworked in large apartments. Unfortunately after searching for the fuse box and trying to get hold on Auntie Paula, without success, we ended up in bed at 8pm as cold and in darkness ... so much for getting on US time.Next morning we were awake at 4am (oh joy). As soon as it was light, we got up and got out as were eager to explore the city. Lois had borrowed some of Paula's jeans and a few steep hills later, she realised that a size 8 is not an 8 over here as they were hanging off her butt. This resulted in us mooching around downtown trying to find a dollar belt (with our budget in mind) but still ended up spending 15 bucks (gutted) saying that though, most of the shops around Union Square are not made for scruffy backpackers so we did OK and Auntie Paula is gonna take it back for a refund for us so we can have beer tonight! Woo Hoo!!!! It was a gorgeous sunny day (every day has been unusually warm and sunny since we arrived) so we are very lucky as it's normally cold and miserable at this time of year ... we decided we fancied a trip to Fisherman's Wharf, which is down at the bay in San Fran and although we were advised to take the cable car, Lois insisted that we work off some Christmas dinner (as she had about 5 helpings as always) so we embarked on the uphill mission. To be honest, I complained for the majority of the journey until we got to the downhill section towards the end - damn jet lag ... but on arriving at Pier 39 a smile appeared across my face as the atmosphere was buzzing, the midday sun was beating down and the mating calls of the local sea lions seemed to be in tune with the Rastafarian kettle drummers. After a venture down the pier and taking a few pictures of Alcatraz, which is just off the bay, the familiar sound of Lois' stomach rumbling and noticing mine was also empty, led us to tourist central where we were lured into a seafood joint. As it's holiday season, everywhere was packed and we were told we would have to wait for a table, so we sat at the bar and ordered a couple of pints of Stella. The barman handed us the bill and we nearly fell off our stools - $13.10 which at the moment is about 9 quid aiyaah!!!! The menu outside had no prices, so what was to come was a shock to the pocket. As this was our first encounter with American prices, we assumed this was normal, so stayed and ordered some food. I tried crabcakes and Lois had a fish duo of rare tuna and cajun catfish - mine was lacking in heat and Lois seemed pretty happy until she couldn't resist trying the strange looking accompaniments on the side of her plate. The first were pink soft flakey things ... apparently tasting like soap (I've never seen Lois spit anything out before or her face so screwed up until she tried the next one) ... what looked to be a small bright green ball of play-doh - most would have avoided but not Lois. This one she described as 'firey' soap and tried to wipe it off her tongue with her napkin. We later found out this was ginger and wakabi - Lois will avoid these at all costs in future! So an average meal and 2 pints each came to $65.00 and the scoundrels had the cheek to add 3.5% surcharge for San Fran Healthcare charity - so needless to say, we didn't tip!!!We went back out onto the seafront; enjoyed the last bit of afternoon sun and saw some crazy street performers. As the sun set, a wave of jet lag came over us once more, so we retreated to Starbucks for a shot of adrenaline to the heart. As we had pretty much blown our whole day's budget on 1 scabby meal, we embarked on our hike back up to Sacramento Street. We took a different route through North Beach which is a great area ... full of trendy bars and restaurants (we wished we hadn't given in to hunger 3 hours before) ... we will be sure to return before we leave San Fran. I realised how unfit I am when we walked from the bottom of Sacramento to the flat ... all uphill in new shoes ... not the best idea we had but we made it. We briefly met Leah (who sub-lets a room in the flat), then we headed back out to get some provisions which involved a few more hills, but we stopped at Huntingdon Square Park on the way back which had water fountains and Christmas lights in the trees and was overlooked by Grace Cathedral. We sat on a bench and enjoyed a bar of chocolate and relaxed to the sound of the running water surrounded by dog walkers. After another early rise, we took a walk through Chinatown and then down to Union Square where there is a huge Christmas tree ... the weather was again glorious. Like many others we sat around enjoying the sunshine and watching the ice skaters before heading back up to the flat on a cable car. Auntie Paula picked us up early afternoon and we headed to Crissy Field which is the closest beach to the Golden Gate Bridge ... you can see right out into the Bay and views of Marin County (where Auntie Paula lives). We then swung by the Palace of Fine Arts which is beautiful and they had a lovely duck pond. To avoid hitting rush hour we set off over the Golden Gate Bridge ... where the views of Sausalito and Marin are spectacular and looking back at San Francisco itself was amazing (didn't manage to get any pictures - but we are getting the ferry back over on Saturday so will hopefully get some then). Once we arrived at Paula and Matthew's condo we just kicked back and chilled out ... Auntie Paula cooked us a lovely meal and we relaxed with a nice glass of wine. Yesterday (Tuesday) again a beautiful morning, we ate our breakfast looking out on red squirrels running up and down the redwood trees. We had a walk into Ross Common which is a quaint little American town (could even be English) and then visited a couple of country malls to get a few bits and pieces. Nipped into AAA to enquire about a rental car to drive to LA and they reckoned they wanted $500 for 2 days OMG!!!We have since found better quotes thank goodness. By 1pm (our daily jet lag episode takes hold) Starbucks and See's Candies were required. We thought we had cracked the US time change and got off lightly with mild jet lag but driving up in the affluent neighborhoods in the hills, we both began to feel really sick so came back to the condo for a 20 minute power nap and another of Auntie Paula's potions. Thankfully the jet lag episode quickly subsided and we headed off for Indian High Tea at Yasmin's house in a town called Sleepy Hollow that the film was based on. No headless horseman encounters thank goodness. Yasmin has a lovely home and made us feel very welcome. On the way back, we drove through Fairfax which is a very wealthy hippy town which actually resembles Thirsk (97% of residents in the town voted to have cannabis legalised for medicinal purposes) :-) We finished the evening chatting an eating chocolate again; must get back to the city and get back on those hills. So it's New Year's Eve morning and as we are writing this, all of you back home are probably gearing up for your New Year celebrations. We are off to the health club in a bit for a jacuzzi and chill out etc before heading back into the city around 2pm to get ready for our night out on the town. Just as the bells are chiming here, you will probably all be nursing your early morning hangovers :-)Wishing you all a very Happy New Year ... Lots of love Sophie & Lois x x x Next update in 2009 x x x
Latest Comments (5)
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Hello gals (reply)
Feb 9, 2009 12:12 EST by henrygormane
Hi this is Henry from Nigeria, .....You mum gave me this link ; it's wonderful to keep in touch with your loved ones while touring the world!!!. I still remembered the short stay I had with you at Stockton. I need your phone numbers over there and email. I need to talk with you. In the mean time enjoy you trip... Hope you plan to touch on Africa ...lol
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happy new year (reply)
Jan 10, 2009 11:22 EST by joerigatonis
hi girls you look like your getting into the swing of things!!!!! take care and enjoy yourselves x nicola - joe rigatonis
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Sound fab (reply)
Jan 7, 2009 07:55 EST by chwilkinson
Hi Sophie/Lois,
Sound like you are both having a really fab time, it makes us all so jealous.
Looking foward to reading your next updates, hope you continue to have a great time.
Luv
Caroline
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Hi! (reply)
Jan 6, 2009 05:45 EST by hikerboy
Hi Lois & Sophie,
Decided to register and say hello.
Lots of lovely pictures and a great description of your journey so far - really was like being there!
Happy New Year (belated) to you both and I look forward to reading the next installation.
Eric
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San Fran (reply)
Jan 1, 2009 09:26 EST by spuggy
Just enjoyed your photographs of SF. Lovely reminders of when I was there 4 years ago! I am taking a copy of the written blog to Gran's this afternoon to read. Hope you haven't got sore heads after the New Year's Eve partying! Big hugs to you all. Give one for me to Paula and Matthew. Happy 2009!
Love you loads,
Mum
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