Saturday, June 5, 2010
San Francisco Day 1
A quick trip from the airport via taxi we checked in to our unglamorous but clean and sufficient hotel in Chinatown. A very central and great position.
Showered and a quick snack for lunch we jumped on a cable car towards Fishermans Wharf. First of all we thought it was full but the driver soon found 3 places to hang on the side for us. Tina was initially a bit nervous, giving the pole a bear hug but soon like all of us she was loving hanging out the side and feeling the wind in our hair.
John and I scored front position on each side. We travelled up and down hills and along some amazing streets. In particular was Hyde Street. So pretty and lined with beautiful trees and houses.
On the final stretch we headed down hill towards the Bay. It was when she saw this classic sight of San Francisco with Alcatraz in the distance, that Tina said "I feel like I am here now".
After a wander around the very touristy Wharf area we tried to find a vantage point to see the Golden Gate Bridge. We soon realised that due to the fog it wasn't going to be possible. So hopped on one of these amazing late 1940's streetcar around the water front.
Through the Embarcadero area and up the main street to the end of the line, which was was Castro, known predominantly as the gay neighbourhood. It was surprisingly not as busy as expected for a big city. The streets for a Friday afternoon were moving pretty easily and no great peak hour traffic to speak of.
Its surprising that the classic architecture we see in movies showing San Francisco is actually everywhere. Driving through the suburbs on the way from the airport right through to this street in Castro, there are these amazingly beautiful houses.
Though these are older and more ornate, even in new suburbs, there are rows of pastel coloured houses lining the streets of the hills.
In need of a drink by this time, we found a great little bar, called Blush. The boys each had one of these beers. The label had a little story about the background of the Speakeasy's during the prohibition period. A very strong beer in flavour and alcohol.
A few wines and a couple of shared cheese and charcuterie platters later we headed home. The boys decided to 'adjust' their shirt sleeves to local style. Bravely they waited until they were in the safety of the elevator of the hotel to do this so they wouldnt get hit on!!!
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6 comments:
sounds like you are getting into the swing of things already!!
shame about not seeing the Golden Gate bridge on your first day. Hopefully you'll have more luck in the coming days before you leave and head to the next resting spot.
Poppa said that you were typical youngs getting into the wine already, he thought it was quite amusing when i read mum's text out this morning. looking forward to the next installment. xxxx
Hanging onto those bars on the tram...did you check they were well attached ? Didn't you all think you were sooooo local !Great to see all looking relaxed and in good spirits. What you saw in such a short time wow. Emmeline arrived safely and looking good, great to have her here. Much love ENJOY ALL
San Francisco looks just like in the movies all those hills.Riding the cable car looks like fun and then to the wine and food.I'm glad you are all safely there have fun. J&J xx
hi from dolans. it's all happening in SF it seems. have a great time and i'll write more when xavier isn't being annoying. love m-m
Hi all, I'm impressed in how much u fit in one day with jet lag. Good work! I'm sure the boys didn't need to roll their shirt sleeves up to get attention in castro. Enjoy. X ashleigh
"our... sufficient hotel". Way to talk it up mum. X Mitchell
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