A taste of Frisco

I spent a wonderful three days in San Francisco the sun shone and the skies were blue but as expected it was a little chilly... As I layered up all the clothing in my possession...four vest tops, two t-shirts, a sarong as a scarf, shorts layered with leggings and combat pants I realised that I did not look dissimilar to the street guy living on the pavement next to my accommodation and would need to reconsider the clothing situation for New York...unprepared for the cold is not the word !!!

I had difficulty deciding what kind of time in SF I wanted...so the best word to describe what I did would be 'mooching' or perhaps having a 'gander' a nice mix of the tourist spots with some realism thrown in. There are so many cool things to do in the city I was spoilt for choice.

I was, I have to admit having a little adjustment time being in such an amazing city with access to all sorts of cultures and food choices that I have been without I did find it a little overwhelming at first. America really is a land of plenty or perhaps excess. My transfer through LAX had been less than straight forward and was not a good welcome to the US involving being singled out for additional screening for drugs and explosives by an absurdly rude and obnoxious power tripping woman at airport security...I wasted no time telling her this fact which got me in a spot of bother !

The street the nightmares were made of... One thing on my list of things to do in SF was to attempt to find the site of one of my reoccurring nightmares that has haunted me ever since I can remember having nightmares...it involved a very steep urban hill with a San Francisco tram loosing control and ending up in the bay. I found it and conquered my fear taking the plunge and going on a tram up and down the hill.

Giant crab garden sculpture at Pier 39

The famous Sea Lions at Pier 39

SF Museum of modern Art - though provoking exhibitions by Jeff Wall and Douglas Gordon plus some very nice Rothkos ! Although SFMOMA was impressive and highly polished I made a visit to what was to be one of my favourite galleries of the past 6 months 'Creativity Explored' which is an inspirational project, studio and gallery space with a real mission http://www.creativityexplored.org/

Venturing into the many neighbourhoods of San Francisco was great fun each being very distinct and having thier own specialisms. I spent a night in the Mission area of town drinking pints of margaritas and munching a wonderful giant burreto with Tristen and Jane friends of travel buddy Jess who I met in Cambodia. Thanks or making me so welcome in your city guys !

Help I am cold and my nose is runny and red !
SF by night
On my way to Alcatraz

Arriving on Alcatraz for my spooky night tour on the island was a really unnerving experience, It was great to hear of all stories of the famous gangsters such as Al Capone who have graced the prison as well as the history of the place. The audio tour there is one of the best I have been on.

Did I leave my heart in San Francisco ?...well...I will definitly return one day...