California Dreaming

Friday, November 05, 2004
San Francisco, California, United States
This is our fourth visit to San Francisco, but that doesn't make it any less fun; well worth the unspeakable jetlag which knocked us out at 7:30 pm on our first night, only to wake us at 1:30 the next morning. However when the day starts with slap up breakfast at Sears, continues with a cable car ride that delivers a view of the bay and goes on to a walk to the Golden Gate bridge, there isn't much reason for complaint.

We've made the most of our two days here and worn out our transport pass; the big highlight is of course the crowded, draughty, moderately dangerous and tremendously fun cable cars that creak up and squeak down some of the steepest streets. Let us hope that safety concerns never stop people clinging on to the outside of the car; the driver makes regular calls to 'tuck it in' and also offers tourist information; he was asked what's that church' and patiently explained that the pyramid topped skyscraper was in fact the Egyptian consultate...

We've had a look at the Palace of the Fine Arts, a splendid early 20th century folly centred on a dome-topped rotunda and a fountain pool - an added attraction was a man taking a sheep for a walk on the surrounding lawns. The sea lions at Fisherman's wharf are as noisy and smelly as ever, the view from Coit Tower shows off three bridges and the highlight has probably been our walk to Sausalito across the Golden Gate bridge. Close up those towers are HUGE, and while the walk is noisy the views are spectacular, particularly in the afternoon with the sun dropping over the Pacific, Alcatraz turning orange and all the skyscrapers behind with the Bay Bridge leading out. The only place I would rather have been was in the helicopter that flew under the bridge and then back over it, you could almost hear the cries of 'wheee...'

The result of the presidential election was announced as we landed to a subdued response; Governor Arnie appears to be one of the few Californians pleased with the outcome, and the local news carried a lengthy item on how to become a Canadian should the thought of another
four years be too much. Also causing some stress is the hotel strike; the bigger hotels are being picketed by locked out workers in a pay dispute, with chanting of 'don't check in' beginning at 6am. Fortunately we are in a small hotel in a surprisingly quiet spot given our location just off Union Square so no trouble here. We did sneak past the pickets at the Westin St Francis for Andy's favourite occupation, the external lifts on its 32-floor tower; these pull some g's but give tremendous views, and it is amazing that the legit guests can get in and out for all the tourists mucking about pushing buttons.

Early start tomorrow though, hopefully the BART train will be on time and we'll make the check-in for our flight to Hawaii.

hasta la vista!Helen and Andy
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