06/19/10
Last day in SFIt was about noon when I left the Hostal for the second last time. A last stroll in the city. First to St. Mary's Cathedral, where there were the final preparation for a wedding in progress. A very interesting design for a church where you encounter the cross not just above the altar but even when you look up in the center of the building. Then on to the japanese Tea Garden in the Golden Gate Park. The tea was good but the Garden did not inspire one to meditate there. To small and too many tourists (hey I was one too ;-).
06/18/10
Food and a viewGoing out for food with friends to a burmese restaurant called "Burmese Superstar". Calling ahead turned out to be a wise decision since the restaurant really deserved the name. Delicious food and good service. When we left there still were still a line of waiting people. An place to go so it seems.
For dessert and a great view the place to be was the "Skyview Bar" on top of the Marriott Hotel. A great view from the center of the financial district. And guess what they make a really good "Crème Brûlée" :-)
06/17/10
A visit to the mothership
A bus and train ride later after leaving the hostel I end up at 1 Infinity Loop in Cupertino. What does this address signify you might think? Apple is the answer. And once again I am not talking about fruits or fruit plantations but a computer company that I quite like and been using since 1987 or there about.
And what is best even, now I do know someone who works there. When I got there he signed me in and we went for lunch in the Cafeteria of the place. Everything in the Apple Campus felt nice. All the buildings were well lit and the food was really good. It more had the appearance of a university campus than of a business. So far all the people I have spoken to stated that it was a great place to work at.
In the end I went to the local Apple store and my friend back to work.
06/16/10
A long walkWhat have I been up today? Nothing big and now thinking back the memory is already fading. With some effort I haul it back to reality.
It is strange in a way to what the stimulus is to put my thoughts into writing. Lately it's me starving for nearly a day and then passing into a comfy location that serves what I desire - good food. Last time the Chianti losened my mental tongue, this time its hot Chai letting the words flow. So there I am sitting in this café near the pacific ocean front thinking about what I did all day and how to get that sandwich before me from the plate into my belly.
I booked my next leg of the journey, the one to Vancouver. This time I will be traveling by train. Haven't done that yet over long distances, I am quite excited about it. The hostel for the first night there is also reserved and ready for my late arrival on sunday night.
So I am still sitting there now thinking of how to eat this big sandwich with dignity. It's just not possible. You might try to compress it to nearly fit inside your mouth but then all the sauce and half the tomato will escape through the sides and you look like in a life and death struggle. If you try to eat it with fork and knife you defy the purpose of a sandwich and also take the easy way out. Nibbling at it just makes the sauce drip all over your face forcing you to repeat the mornings face cleaning procedure. Well to make long story short I went for option one and got the job done. And it was a good sandwich I tell you and the atmosphere of the place requires recommendation.
Walking from the hostal to the Golden Gate Bridge and halfway across watching surfers, seals, sailboats, two cargo ships and two dolphins do their thing, I got quite a lot of sun and was wondering what all the people were training for in their fancy jogging dresses. On I went along the coast past people laying naked on the beach wondering this time if I am still in prudish US of A?! On the next beach my bare feet touched the sand, got washed over by the pacific and burned while I slept in the sun beside people doing their lotus thing. This was right I went for that sandwich next to the beach. I just love the sea.
06/15/10
San Francisco - First Step
Walking through this town of tolerance and tourists at first I was being shocked by the amount of consumption that is put in your face. But walking the not too beaten tracks following your own whims and instincts lets you feel and see the city underneath. Trying to see and catch everyday situations in stills, I fail so far. Only buildings, parks and city scences; people are just too elusive and the tourist hordes clambering down Lombard Street just not attractive.
The hostel that is my home for this week has charm and huge dorm rooms. It reminds me a bit of my time in the military, though here at night I do not hear anybody snore too loud.
On thursday I will meet Marc again, this time at Apple, which is neither a tree nor a fruit.
Food is important for your body - Good food is important for your "soul".
The world cup exists here too, I know that. Bits and pieces, a poster here, some comments overheard or others read on some community networking site. Being so far away I notice not to care too much if Brasil now scores a third goal (or not). It might be a big thing but definitely not here in this land of the free and extra slim.
06/12/10
Comfy PortlandGoing to town here in the state of Oregon was a nice surprise. I instantly liked the place. Not just because it was clean and the houses and high-rises looked well kept but I think especially because of all the people on bicycles. Being an avid cyclist this really makes a big difference in style of living. When you ride a bike through town you become more conscious of your surroundings because you are more vulnerable and less encapsulated that in a car. You are forced to face the guy waiting at the zebra crossing or the cyclist next to you while paying attention to all the people in the cars. The smell of the city accompanies you everywhere you go, no point in hanging a smelly tree onto your handlebars. The wind that blows through the canyons of houses makes you pedal harder or enjoy the push forward.
You are just more there...
"A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool." - William Shakespeare