FrozenDreamer

After a reasonably good journey over (I watched a couple of movies), we arrived into the city. It was fab flying over San Fancisco, as we could see everything from the plane… including The Golden Gate Bridge and Transamerica Building!

Once in the airport, the wonders of American Queuing came into full force. We must have spent about an hour and a half waiting in various lines.

Leaving the airport, we got onto the BART (BAY AREA RAPID TRANSPORT). It took about half an hour to get into the city, but once we were at Montgommery Street, the fun really began.

I fell in love with San Francisco the second I came out of the underground. What a beautiful place. It really is the place Health & Safety laws forgot about! People hanging on the edge of a small piece of wood as they’re whicked up a 40 degree hill at nine miles an hour while cars rush past them at three times that speed! BRILLIANT … I say anyhoo!

We walked along Sutter Street to the Hotel Carlton where we checked in and zoomed up to the ninth floor where our room looks out over the city skyline with unassuming grace. Gorgeous views and sounds from the city below give a fabulous feel for what we’re going to enjoy over the next few days.

We left the hotel about twenty minutes later and walked down to Union Square where they were setting up for the Chinese New Years Parade. Loads of TV cameras and people running around with loads of cable.

From there we browsed down to the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) and picked up our City Passes from a very enthusiastic girl who couldn’t wait to give us a map of the place and tell us about her wonderful city.

One of the things I have come to realise about where I come from… London is a stuck up place with unfriendly arseholes and people who would sooner spit on you. San Francisco is the total opposite to that!

Hopped on to the F-Market Train and off to Fisherman’s Wharf for a browse around Pier 39, where the city’s famous residents lounge about on floating barges. The hundreds of Sea Lions clearly enjoying the attention they receive from both the residents and the tourists alike.
From Pier 39, you are treated to some brilliant views of the city above and Alcatraz out in the bay.

I also discovered the wierdest restaurant I have ever seen. A floating island with a lighthouse and 40 ft palm trees. Apparently featured on ‘Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous’. Which of course means that it is out of my price bracket. Fab to see it though.

At this point I was cold and tired and needed food, so we headed for food. We found a fab restaurant with views over the marina where more sea lions swam below us. As we were both rather tired, we decided to order a conservative meal…. how wrong were we. I ordered a Crab Cioppini (spelling error I now)… whcih came with a full set or torture implements to attack my crab with. The Dungeness Crab clearly a favourite here on the west coast.
Bryan went for an easier meal… clam and squid linguine. No shells present in his dish, so he was free to eat it at pace while we both guzzled down the token bottle of Pino Grigio.

Following the meal… we headed back to the hotel on the California Line Cable Car. I’ve seen these hings in countless movies and sitcoms… but nothing can explain to you how much fun they really are! They totally throw caution to the wind… Health and Safety laws a thing of the past! However… considering they replaced horses and carts, it makes sense. The latter of the systems replaced after a heavy rain fall, followed by a cart and two horses sliding down one of the city’s steep streets… not fun!

We then got back to the hotel… and slept for 12 hours!

And so ends day one of the West America trip. I can honestly say that this is my favourite city in America… New York is smelly and dusty (sorry Mark).

FD x