Day Two: San Francisco

---

So; day two started with, well not a hiss and roar but small protests from Ms Roling "I didn't get to sleep until 2am.

We eventually leave our humble hotel at about 9am - for those of you who know Ms Roling we are on FIRE!

We head to a cafe for breakfast...knowing full well lunch will not be needed but a place that sells Espresso is. This will be the key to whether today is a success! And as luck would have it we stumble accross a place that does espresso and porridge...we are on to a winner.

We order "healthy oats" and a cappuccino each.

We get milk with a side of oats - but happy to report the coffee was very palatable!!!

Before I get down to the nitty gritty, shopping was needed! San Francisco would be no warmer than Auckland at the minute, the wind, fuck me, the wind is lazier than a 17 year old school boy on school holidays...straight through you with no regards to my summer attire! A jumper was needed and quick, so Macys was visited. Four floors just for men's clothing, the average kiwi male would have left purely on principal.

Kiwi men will be imagining 4 floors of black woollen singlets, All Black jumpers, stubbies and Y fronts...

So Roling and I discuss strategy at the base of escalator no#2 of the men's section, how we will meet up and when...people, this is key when you're faced with 8 floors and a street as the obstacle. However a store assistant overhearing our intricate stratagey, politely interjects with "if I was you and we had no way to communicate, I would stay together" so we did. I purchase a SF Giants hoodie and donate my only jumper to my damsel in distress (who said shivelry is dead).

We then leave and make our way towards Union square (think Aotea square) and hail a cab.

3rd realisation if you will; it appears a world wide phoenoman...no cab driver can speak English when in a predominantly English speaking country...I look forward to visiting India, Mexico, Spain...I assume it will be easier?

And whilst Im on this observation train of thought...gay is the new straight in San Fran...more blokes holding hands than shearers in the South Island I kid you not!

Anyways we make it to our destination "Blazing saddles".

We stroll in like any kiwi would, only to be welcomed like Lance Armstrong. Clapping, cheering etc. I assumed my reputation in Lycra has got out and they recognise an athlete when he's present. This was short lived, as a rather large man ordering an electric bike was received the same way.

So we head out to tackle the bridge that requires 1000 gallons of 'International Orange' paint a week, just to maintain its majestic presence accross San Francisco's skyline.

Fact: San Fran has more fog in June than any other month, so September is the month to visit. As any rebel would be, San Francisco is totally out of sync with the rest of the state of California.

So we wind our way through the wind and fog, my anticipatian is growing. I've seen this iconic bridge in many a movie - it almost seems fictious if you will.

We reach the base...but this is not without the five million jumping shots that must be endured, again anyone who has travelled with Ms Roling has completed this task!

We decide on a side and head off. We wind our way on to the bridge and start our journey. All is well, photos are taken smiles are had...it's pretty awesome to be cycling over an iconic part of America and a police car travelling the opposite way to us blurting out "turn back" does little to impede our progress, untill the 2nd car stating the same, comes our way. We adhede to the instructions and start a fresh on the opposite side of the bridge. It must go on record that wind has dominated our San Fran visit whether it's man maid or the force of nature.

We make it to the end of the bridge and head to a small seaside town to have lunch. It reminds me of a cross between Parnel and Akaroa.

We have lunch at a cute restaurant on the water, we brave the wind and sit outside making friends with a Boxer (dog). After lunch we decide the easiest and quickest method will be to ferry back, disembarking at San Fran's ferry building downtown. It is a scenic 15 minute ride back along the water front - not cheap though - bike back to blazing saddles. Not cheap I hear you ask? I was stopped by a very official looking man as i rode upon to the foot path and was told that I would recieve an automatic fine. Great I thought - no actually FUCK was what I thought. The fine was for not smiling and he was the fun police. "You are with a super hot babe and not smiling". By now Ms Roling is smiling and I'm shelling out $5 large for a soup kitchen.

We eventually arrive back to Blazing Saddles! Again welcomed back with clapping and the enthusiasm of Kiwi women helping Sonny Bill pull off an All Black jumper.

Ms Roling feeling extremely generous offers up her iPhone 4S as a tip...thankfully this is not enough and they politely offer it back.

Its now 5.30 so we hail a cab back to Union Square as we still have two hours in order to do some speed shopping. We split up and agree to meet back at the hotel - Ms Roling protests at first worried about my personal safety, I simply put her at ease "I'm not their type babe" no it's not that she emphatically replies....I'm worried about your navigation skills, you always get lost! I demand my freedom and off I go. There is something quite cool about losing yourself in a city (not literally) and just taking it all in.

We BOTH make it back to the hotel, I come armed with a bottle of Pinot (Nappa Valley) and some local info - the Cha Cha Cha is the place to go for dinner. We do like Depot restaurant and drink from tumblers.

We head downstairs armed with local knowledge and head for Cha Cha Cha which is in the Mission district, once home to a freedom movement of some sort where they voiced their opinions through murals.

I, having learnt something in the past 24 hours only order an entree, little Ms Roling orders a main of which I'm surprised...I would be even more surprised to watch her almost finish it! We have our meals accompanied with Sangria (their speciality).

So in closing...if you managed to get this far without falling asleep? We have had an epic two days and very much looking forward to tomorrow where Ms Roling will buy gum boots and we will visit arguably San Francisos most famous attraction....Alcatraz.

And as promised Ms Roling will keep this real by entering in her little piece of Alex says the darnedest things...

"Alex: Oh wow these are epically gay. Me: what are those and why are you wearing them? Alex: They're for my new shoes. Men's fashion isn't as easy as 1 2 3. Not llike you where you just chuck on some pantyhoes and we're ready to go."

---

Comments

[raewyn]

sounds like great pace to be...............