San Fransisco Part I

At long last I actually have something to write about- as opposed to ramblings from my disorganized mind, and day to day happenings that even I wouldn't remember if I hadn't written them down.

So I went to San Fransisco- the city with the Golden Gate Bridge (although its orange, rather than gold- there's a story behind that- will get to it later.)

Left early Satuday morning- by early I mean seriously - 2 o'clock in the morning types- being panicky and needing to get to the airport 3 hours or so in advance( legacy of my grandparents).
Caught flight from LAX- was first person through security that morinng(!)

Flight was short- not much to see out of the window, though I'd specifically asked for the window seat- all was cloudy.

Until we almost landed. We broke through the clouds and voila- there stretched before us the San Fransisco Bay - and a bridge across it- not the Golden Gate- though I named it so in my head immediately- so beautiful was the view - with rays of light gently breaking through the clouds to illuminate it, all in gold.

The airport is almost on the sea, and as the plane landed there was the most disconcerting feeling of appearing to land on the water itself. The airport itself has not much to brag about- small compared to LAX and (in my humble opinion) , could use some better maintainance. Took shuttle from airport to hotel on Fisherman's Wharf.

Fisherman's Wharf is this tiny peninsula on the northern tip of the city. Its a pretty place, with tiny shops and hills and and the sea, has a lovely view of Alcatraz(the Rock) and Ghirardelli Square (the chocolate Ghirardelli?)

It was raining in SF. Apparently its always raining in SF. Was glad I took my jacket- that's my new jacket btw- inaugurated on Tamil New Year's day, bought from Rodeo Drive( Rodeo Drive where the prices are never mentioned- if you ask for the price- you can't afford it- this was bought on sale- naturally).

Anyway- it wasn't the nasty kind of rain- more like a gently drizzle that just cooled the place down without freezing you to the bone.The shuttle drive took us through the Embarcadero - that's one of the Places to See- its this long road that runs along the coast- and for the second time I mistook yet another bridge for the Golden Gate- actually it was the Bay Bridge which connects SF to the city of Oakland- but its huge and imposing looking (actually, I later found out that the Bay bridge was built only about a year before the Golden Gate- that has a story behind it too- everything seems to - in SF)

Dumped bags at hotel and walked down to Ghiradelli Square (the chocolate place) had a muffin and hot chocolate for breakfast. Now fortified, began long climb upto Lombard street. Though only a few blocks away, the climb was exhausting because of the steep hills that seem to go almost at 90 degrees! Finally made it to the top- and as I stood there, panting... finally! my first view of the REAL Golden Gate Bridge. It's top was obscured by low hanging clouds, but it was that distinctive orange. And over it hung anothier bridge - a rainbow. Stood for a while looking at the beautiful sight- felt almost as though the city was greeting me, blessing me - with all that beauty. Finally the rainbow dissipated and I turned away, and went in search of the crooked street.

The Crooked Street (Crookedest Street in the World) is the most picturesque part of Lombard Street. Actually as I looked down upon it, I thought it was some kind of garden or maze of bushes, it took a couple of minutes before I realised that it was a road and there was actuallu traffic moving through it! ( should have a driving test there- ultimate test of driving skills!)

At last after catching my breath went back to Ghirardelli, sat up in the little tower will the bells- the carillons, and enjoyed a lovely view of Alcatraz. Went down to the street after a while. We walked down the road and eyed the street side vendors selling jewellery and pictures and postcards with interest. Went down to and isolated pier where we were chased away by annoyed seagulls on whose territoty we were encroaching. Went to the Maritime museum and stood right on top near the captain's chair and the rudder (looks a lot like the decks you see on Star Trek- looks like deck design's aren't expected to change in the Space Age)

We went for lunch after that - at IHOP (International House of Pancakes) wasn't in the mood for anything sweet- all that Ghirardelly chocolate had effectively killed that! So had a cheese sandwich.

Then we went for a Ferry Ride- through the Bay- below the Golden Gate and around Alcatraz.

That's where all the fascinating tales came up- about the guy who called himself the Emperor of America and decreed that a bridge be built joining the cities of SF and Oakland- it was- many years later - the Bay Bridge. About the Chinese immigrants who were caught and imprisoned in Angel Island- and Alcatraz( which I kept referring to as Azkaban- accidentally- I need to get Harry Potter out of my system!). As it turns out the Golden gate bridge was so named because it spans the Golden gate strait- which was named after the Golden Horn in Byzantium(?)!!!
The gate itself is painted orange ('International Orange'???) to go with the color of the sea and the hills flanking it.

But most exciting(well, that may be a bit exaggerated), but it was definitely entertaining- the sealions that have taken over the docks of Pier 39. Lazy lumps, they just lie there looking fat and content. Some of them rouse themselves enough to fight - like WWF wrestlers really- pushing each other around, keeping people entertained for hours! Then there are ones the flop on to the dock and clamber over the sleeping ones- which only grunt and roll over- at the most! - to find their chosen sleeping spot.

We wandered through the place- saw hard rock Cafe- didn't go inside (alas!). There was a funny show by a couple of jugglers. The last act was particularly good- where she juggled flaming torches while balanced on a pole, held on the shoulders of two men.

We went to Union Square afer that- well, tried to- parking being the biggest problem- we passed through Chiatown- I've wanted to see a China Town ever since I came to the US- and that is one desire of mine satisfied- sadly, there were no Dragons or Chinese people in their little hats, or Pagodas... it was all rather normal though the crowds were homely, reminded me of being in T Nagar.

We went to the Civic centre first. The building is more like something you'd expect to see in Europe- all gilded decorations and statues and lawns.

Then we went to Union Square- there's a lovely square there, and its lively even late at night, and we could hear the lonely notes of a trumpeteer from the 7th floor of the building where we were- 6 floors were Macy's but the Seventh floor was the Cheesecake factory. Now who it was who thought that cheese and cake( two more unrelated things you cannot find in my opinion) are a good combination, I do not know- but they're a genius! We started with desert as we were waiting for a place to be seated, but the cake was so filling we ended packing most of dinner( I ate it for Sunday night's dinner)

Went straight home( or rather, to the hotel)after that- and crashed till Sunday morning.