San Francisco Adventures

San Francisco. I took the BART to downtown, after finally making it to SF after 3 flights, one day and a whole lot of stale airport air. I met Katy at the appointed place outside GAP by the street cars, after talking to several street hustlers – “I love your flowers!” – they all adored my shoulders… which were exposed because it was freaking hot.

After meeting up with my lovely friend, I had a terrifying experience on the street car; clinging to the side with my luggage hanging off the side, precariously balancing on a step. [Also after 8 years apart, within our first moments together, some elderly people told us off for 'cussing'. Rad. Just like when we were kids!]

Finally we made it to Katy’s beautiful apartment and I settled in by drinking Mexican beer on the rooftop. After getting ready there was a wild taxi drive, up and down hills, to the Mission – where I met the burrito of my dreams. It was the size of a baby. Not joking, see:

We headed to the Financial District, and up a tower to the Carnelian Room for a rather fancy cocktail and a look at the view. It was so high my ears popped! K. pointed out all the sites and we gossiped. We also discovered a carnelian is a reddish/brown gem… thanks iPhone!

Chinatown was rather lovely – we stopped at a dive bar where everyone was playing dice… Followed by a visit to the bakery where one day in July 1996 Bill Clinton also sampled pastries between 5 and 5.30pm. Mm, we gorged ourselves sticky sesame seed and black bean buns – they were so greasy, but perfect.

From there the night is a blur… A quick peep (!) at the iconic City Lights Book Store, making friends with nice people in a bar, cabbing home, drinking more beer, yelling on the roof top and taking photographs – long exposures of SF city.

An excellent effort for 24 hours, if I do say so myself. SF, you’re so nice!

Tagged as: 2009, Amber, america, san francisco, Travel