After a satisfying night's sleep, during which I did not roll over once (confirmed by Chris and by my complaining back) we rose at about 10.15am and headed out for the day. First stop: brunch. We walked down to the Westfields shopping centre in downtown San Francisco and found a sandwich place. I can understand why so many Americans are fat: the food is delicious, plentiful and cheap. (Although, to be honest, I haven't seen that many fatties here - apart from me and Chris - so maybe the obesity problem is largely confined to smaller, poorer towns, or Australian and Kiwi tourists. Just my sociological observation...for what it's worth...which is probably very little).
After brunch we hopped on cable car to Fisherman's Wharf and visited the Aquarium on the Bay, a small aquarium on the bay....go figure. Highlights included seeing ethereal glowing moon jellies floating gracefully in a huge tank, sharks and fish swimming above our heads, and being able to touch sting rays and starfish in a tidal pool. After the aquarium we wandered around to the other side of the pier to see the world-famous sea lions sunning themselves on floating barges. The last time I was here the barges were full to bursting with sea lions, but today only about a third were full. According to a news report I saw (http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2010-03-03-san-francisco-sea-lions_N.htm) the sea lions all but disappeared a couple of years ago but are now slowly returning. Anyways, a trip to SF is not complete without seeing the sea lions bark and sunbake. Tick!
After leaving Fisherman's Wharf we took a cable car to Lombard Street, home of the world's crookedest street (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lombard_Street_(San_Francisco). The cable car ride was amazing and exhilarating and the view of the city from the top of Lombard Street was simply gorgeous. Thankfully we walked down it and not up it....it is incredibly steep: 40 degrees reportedly. It certainly felt vertiginous walking down it. We then took the cable car back down into the city and engaged in a spot of retail therapy. Well, I shopped while Chris sat in the "boyfriend chair" (http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=The%20Boyfriend%20Chair) and waited for me. Walgreen's was such an orgasmic experience for me yesterday I had to repeat it today. I am seriously thinking of living in one. I could shop there for hours. Why can't we have something this cool in Sydney? Priceline: pfft, you're just a pretender.
And that was our day...we came back to the hotel and ordered room service. Both of us have aching feet and legs so we have declined to go out and partake in SF's legendary bar scene. We are just too knackered. Does this mean we are officially old? I fear so. I prefer to think of it as growing old gracefully.
Tomorrow, an open air double decker bus tour around SF that makes the most of bountiful photo ops around the city.
Love,
Vxxx
Here's my big generalisation (based on my own travels!) Not so many plus sized people in California (or NYC) but otherwise they are indeed plentiful. The big plus of this is that there's plenty of shopping for those of us who are generously proportioned! As I type I am wearing my favourite hoodie, purchased at Old Navy in San Fran.
ReplyDeleteOn food: wish I could think of the awesome diner where we had breakfast in San Fran. Will ask D if he remembers so I can tell you.
I was in Old Navy yesterday!! I had to be quick because I'd already tried Chris's patience with the shopping at Westfields. I am planning on popping in again sans Chris at some point before we go. Would love the name of that diner if D can remember - it's a bit hard to judge which ones are good.
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