Translation: Maintain open eyes.
That was what the bus told me while I was on it today. Although I felt like I had to do it more once I had stepped off. This evening was a bit stressful, having gotten off next to a bridge with tons of homeless people standing around their tents. I am familiar with homeless people--trust me. But this was different. Homeless people that you don't know are different.
But let's back up to the beginning, shall we?
It started at approximately 8:00 a.m., when I left the hostel to catch a couple buses to the Fisherman's Wharf for breakfast and then a three-hour bike tour. The buses went swimmingly, as I'm sure they always do, but I didn't have to wait long for them even after missing the first. Breakfast was sub-par.
Beautiful, but what should I expect from a place that specializes in coffee and happened to be the first eating establishment I came to? Let's just say I was hungry. And spent $15 too many on breakfast.
Yes, that is a Pumpkin Spice latte on the right. From the North Pointe Bakery.
Berries were okay. I would have preferred just the bread to be honest.
Next stop, bike tour! I booked through Blazing Saddles, a group tour that would take me from Fisherman's Wharf down through Presidio, across the Golden Gate Bridge, and then down to Sausalito where I could board a ferry to get back to the mainland.
Best part? Getting to do it with a family from Mexico City! Let's just say Emily got in her Spanish practice for the day. :)
You see that golden dome in the distance? It's thought to be the inspiration for R2D2 from Starwars. It's actually called the Palace of the Arts, and I got to see it up close and personal.
Yep, that's me up there, helmet in hand...
We were in the center of this lovely area called Presidio, where the houses were worth millions of dollars because of their spectacular ocean views. Small, but the outsides looked just breathtaking.
I saw these along the ride to the bridge.
The next stop was just for pictures right before we crossed. I was way more excited than nervous, and feeling pretty awesome for keeping up so well with our tour guides. The others struggled a tidge, but they probably also aren't familiar with the Lawrence hills I am. 14th street man...
Next up, crossing! Windy and cold. So glad that I brought my gloves. They saved me today. No really good pictures taken until we had ridden all the way down to Sausalito.
Best food I've had since I got here was at a restaurant called Fish. How original, right? It took me about fifteen minutes to ride there from the end of our tour, and it was so well worth it. And the $23 I spent on it. Water for me, please.
So what is all of that, you're asking? The Fish. Hangtown Fry. Butter-fried Pacific oysters, steamed Petaluma farm eggs, wild mushroom bread pudding and bacon spinach (underneath the fish/bread pudding). The most impressive part was the dryness of the batter on the oysters. It wasn't greasy at all. The fish, however, tasted like fish, and that did not settle well with me. I made it through about 75% of the plate before I felt nauseated.
Cool plaza in Sausalito. Everything's better with giant elephants.
Back alleys are the coolest!
Lovely ocean views. Just the sound of the water is enough to make me want to move to the coast.
This was actually back at Pier 1, where the ferry dropped us off. I was just about to head back to a bed to nap when I walked across a neat indoor shopping center. And guess what I discovered? Sesame ice cream. I would make some myself if I knew how. Shout out to Casey: Please come up with a recipe for this please! Gracias. :)
I didn't take any more pictures than that, but my evening is still going. We've caught up to the part where I hopped on a bus at the Fisherman's Wharf and then realized I was going the wrong way. I walked about 15 blocks to get back to my hostel, and it was long but lovely. Graffiti filled my evening. I would like to make sure I share pictures of the Mission district later this week. It's amazing what people are capable of doing to buildings to make them beautiful.
Tonight's plan: Sleep!
Tomorrow's plan: Not do so much! I was supposed to go to the botanical gardens today but they closed at 4 so it's been put off to tomorrow. Alcatraz is the only thing that I've financially committed to. Really what I'd like to do is just find a coffee shop and read for a few hours. Something with an ocean view would be nice, but all I really want is warmth and a good read.
Hasta mañana!
That was what the bus told me while I was on it today. Although I felt like I had to do it more once I had stepped off. This evening was a bit stressful, having gotten off next to a bridge with tons of homeless people standing around their tents. I am familiar with homeless people--trust me. But this was different. Homeless people that you don't know are different.
But let's back up to the beginning, shall we?
It started at approximately 8:00 a.m., when I left the hostel to catch a couple buses to the Fisherman's Wharf for breakfast and then a three-hour bike tour. The buses went swimmingly, as I'm sure they always do, but I didn't have to wait long for them even after missing the first. Breakfast was sub-par.
Beautiful, but what should I expect from a place that specializes in coffee and happened to be the first eating establishment I came to? Let's just say I was hungry. And spent $15 too many on breakfast.
Berries were okay. I would have preferred just the bread to be honest.
Next stop, bike tour! I booked through Blazing Saddles, a group tour that would take me from Fisherman's Wharf down through Presidio, across the Golden Gate Bridge, and then down to Sausalito where I could board a ferry to get back to the mainland.
Best part? Getting to do it with a family from Mexico City! Let's just say Emily got in her Spanish practice for the day. :)
You see that golden dome in the distance? It's thought to be the inspiration for R2D2 from Starwars. It's actually called the Palace of the Arts, and I got to see it up close and personal.
Yep, that's me up there, helmet in hand...
We were in the center of this lovely area called Presidio, where the houses were worth millions of dollars because of their spectacular ocean views. Small, but the outsides looked just breathtaking.
I saw these along the ride to the bridge.
The next stop was just for pictures right before we crossed. I was way more excited than nervous, and feeling pretty awesome for keeping up so well with our tour guides. The others struggled a tidge, but they probably also aren't familiar with the Lawrence hills I am. 14th street man...
Next up, crossing! Windy and cold. So glad that I brought my gloves. They saved me today. No really good pictures taken until we had ridden all the way down to Sausalito.
Best food I've had since I got here was at a restaurant called Fish. How original, right? It took me about fifteen minutes to ride there from the end of our tour, and it was so well worth it. And the $23 I spent on it. Water for me, please.
So what is all of that, you're asking? The Fish. Hangtown Fry. Butter-fried Pacific oysters, steamed Petaluma farm eggs, wild mushroom bread pudding and bacon spinach (underneath the fish/bread pudding). The most impressive part was the dryness of the batter on the oysters. It wasn't greasy at all. The fish, however, tasted like fish, and that did not settle well with me. I made it through about 75% of the plate before I felt nauseated.
Cool plaza in Sausalito. Everything's better with giant elephants.
Back alleys are the coolest!
Lovely ocean views. Just the sound of the water is enough to make me want to move to the coast.
This was actually back at Pier 1, where the ferry dropped us off. I was just about to head back to a bed to nap when I walked across a neat indoor shopping center. And guess what I discovered? Sesame ice cream. I would make some myself if I knew how. Shout out to Casey: Please come up with a recipe for this please! Gracias. :)
I didn't take any more pictures than that, but my evening is still going. We've caught up to the part where I hopped on a bus at the Fisherman's Wharf and then realized I was going the wrong way. I walked about 15 blocks to get back to my hostel, and it was long but lovely. Graffiti filled my evening. I would like to make sure I share pictures of the Mission district later this week. It's amazing what people are capable of doing to buildings to make them beautiful.
Tonight's plan: Sleep!
Tomorrow's plan: Not do so much! I was supposed to go to the botanical gardens today but they closed at 4 so it's been put off to tomorrow. Alcatraz is the only thing that I've financially committed to. Really what I'd like to do is just find a coffee shop and read for a few hours. Something with an ocean view would be nice, but all I really want is warmth and a good read.
Hasta mañana!
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