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Published: November 16th 2006
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Me and the bridge
I have a few of Golden Gate There's no doubt you know that you're in the USA when you get here. Having been in South America for so long, at times it's a mystery as to what time zone, what currency, what day, heck, what country you're in. However here in the US of A you're left in no doubt as to where you are.
Things started slightly..'interestingly' as i had no address for Uncle Nick here in San Francisco. This meant the authorities decided to double check everything about the floppy haired Brit arriving from El Salvador..."why are you here ?", "why would anyone want to travel for a year ?", "why are there llamas on your guitar case ?". In fact they ended up taking me away to the (effect a huge American accent) 'secondary interrorgation area' and questioning me at length about the people i knew here, where i'd been, my life histroy. Luckily for me (and it seemed to the dismay of the investigating officer) I did indeed have an Uncle waiting for me at arrivals, my toothpaste wasn't a bomb, and i had no intention of becoming an illegal alien.
So after this small glitch it was off to my San
Tea....Englsih Tea
Note the BBC worold service mug Mateo in south San Francisco, and to a welcome the like of which i haven't known for a very long time. For a start there was no hounding by local hostel reps - just a friendly familiar face (very odd), next i was driven to my uncles lovely house and encouraged to have an English beer on arrival (all very civilised), the next morning laundry was free ("where's the coin slot ?"), the bed i slept in was ridiculously comfortable, in the morning also there was tea (and i mean 'proper' tea - in fact tea from England left by my grandparents on a previous visit....bliss). Basically for the South American traveller everything you think isn't ever going to happen to you again. Also i have the luck to be staying with another set of uncommonly fantastic relatives (at this point i must thank my Uncles for being so well positioned around the globe) - Unlce Nick, Aunt Cindy and cousins Andrew and Emily will all probably feature heavily in the next few blogs.
Anyway, to America, and San Fran. After my very welcome nights sleep, and a morning sorting out jobs that in 'traveller world' would take the
Marc with Alcatraz
Did the tour before so this time i was happy to admire the island from afar whole day (internet, backing up photos, laundry..bla bla bla), I decided to see what San Francisco was all about.
As mentioned at the top of the blog you're left in no question as to where you are. The American voices, the flags, the feel, the shops, the size (everyone says it, but it's true - everything here is bigger then elsewhere)...all gives you the impression you're in the states. But, in fact this turned out to be quite an endearing thing. Ok, everyone in Europe, the whole world, has thier opinions about America these days, but while out and about today it was clear that above all else, Americans are really really nice people. Often I was lost around the city trying to find the various sites, and always a freindly local, or bus driver would help me out and point me in the right direction. Straight away i've decided that I like San Francisco - the town is very laid back, cool, lots to see, very good public transportation (when you know how to use it..which i didn't for a long time..and got very..erm, not lost...exploritive), and as i said good people.
Site seeing itself took in
Famous Cable Car Place
Lots of steep, lots of Cable cars all the normal things - the cable car street, fishermans wharf, seals at pier 39, gazing across to Alcatraz..and also Golden Gate Bridge. Since i've been away very occasionally i've become obsessed by a certain landmark. In KL, Malaysia is was the Petronas Towers (the tallest on the planet), in New Zeland it was Mt. Cook, in Bolivia it was the Salle De Uyuni. Here i've got another one. Just as the sun was getting low today I arrived to see the Golden Gate Bridge. The sun was shining, the sky was clear, and walking across it back and forth was mesmerising. Photos were plentiful and i've only put a wee selection on the blog. But, I was definately smitten, and very very glad I went up thier today.
I ended up spending a while up their and by the time i decided to leave it was rush hour. Not particularly a bad thing in San Fran, but bad enough to cause me to take 2 or so hours to get home. However, the SF buses have very friendly drivers, and the CalTrian service which runs from downtown out to the suburbs is very comfy.
First impressions of
Pier 39
And lots of seals the US are then, a thumbs up. I was very worried before i got here that i'd miss South America too much - Costa Rica had made me fear this - but now here, and given the great welcome i've been given, all is good.
Enjoy the pictures.
marc
p.s. happy belated anniversary to Claire. We clocked up the big one year away from home on the 10th November. Sadly we weren't together fro this one. Looking forward to seeing you at home dude. Miss You. Safe travels. marc.xxxx
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Nick
non-member comment
must visit sometime!
Hmmm, sounds like a nice place - must visit sometime.....