Mr. Tokeloshe had to go to San Fransisco for a few days on a business trip, so I went with him.
We took a Taxi to and from Calgary airport. It was my first ride in a Taxi. The Rockies is magnificent from the air, so wide. We had a stop-over in Vancouver of 1 hour. Vancouver is beautiful from the air. Green with many lovely islands, lots of water and a Mountain View. In SF we stayed at the Crown Plaza, near the airport. The airport is very big, with fly-overs that take passengers with shuttles to the Car rental etc. It was the first time I walked on a moving walkway; it is a very funny feeling.
While Mr. T. was on course I slept late, watched TV went to the hot tub, shopped at the Malls close by, etc. The shops were very similar to Calgary. I saw an old couple do Tai chi in the park. When Mr. T. was finished we drove all over. The weather was perfect, so we had lovely views and even sunsets of the Bay and bridges. The bridges impressed me tremendously They are very big. To think they were built 50 years ago. Traffic is so bad that despite that, in peak time we took about an hour to get to the toll gates of the Bay bridge, which has 16 gates, which merges into 6 lanes of traffic, by stopping and going at traffic lights. (They have that in Toronto too) This is only one way. The other traffic is below. Toll money $2 one way is worth it. It is 8 miles long and goes through a tunnel over Treasure Island. Golden Gate has 6 lanes traffic and 2 for pedestrians and cyclist in one direction.
Alcatraz could be seen very clearly and we also drove past St Quentin which has a view of the bay, schooner and lovely sailing boats. The nightlife is incredible. Thousands of people thronging, restaurants, shops and sidewalks. Parking even at night a problem though. We paid $15 one evening for 5 hours. The Fisherman’s wharf area was interesting with Pier 39, having an old fashioned carousel, specialty shops and even real sea lions in the water. They have anchored rafts for them. It is like Durban’s Golden Mile in December. With an Imax, “Ripley’s Believe it or not” museum, Turbo- Simulation ride (Where the seats move and you watch Dinosaurs etc. ) The “Cannery” (A brick building that was a cannery) reminds me of Durban’s “The Work shop” Including fish smell. They are known for the fresh Crabs. We ended our evenings in the pubs where many brew their own Beer. They sell the round sourdough bread hollowed out and filled with clam chowder. Just like a “Bunny Chow”
I enjoyed down-town most with it’s crazy up and down hills. Which Mr. T. drove through, sharing the road with the trolleys/cable cars. The tourists pack the cable cars at $2 (worth it) one way. You have a better view standing on the step and hanging on. You can touch parked cars as you go by. We went up just before sunset and came down with city lights. You can even see the bridge from up there. We drove past “The most crooked street in the world” (besides Wall Street). It looks just like in the movies, where they always show the car-chases.
There were many crazy panhandlers, who you could only find very funny, they are so drunk; some even have a cat or dog. One moment shouting: Have you heard of the Lord? May you go to heaven and the next GO to Hell! Everywhere a large police presence and we saw one drunk get himself arrested.
We found China Town much similar to Calgary’s just larger. Along the west bay are large old Bluegum trees. The beaches have no waves to talk about, parking is $5. East bay had many wind-surfers.
The Litter fine is $1,000 with highways having ads for companies cleaning up the litter. People park in tow away zones and up and down hills where I will not be able too. According to the map, we drove over the San Andreas Fault, but couldn’t see it. There were no signs. I stamped a penny with a S.F stamp at a machine, I wanted to get one of those Kitch glass bottles with the bridge inside that you shake and the snow falls, but I couldn’t find one.
We also went to San Jose for the “Biggest flea market in the world.” We were there the best part of the day and even got sun-burnt. Although most of the waiters shop assistants, maid’s etc. in S.F were Spanish speaking. In S.J about 75 percent were Spanish speaking. It is on from Wednesday through to Sunday with permanent stalls, many large clean washrooms and restaurants (selling Beer too). It even had a Mexican band playing on a stage. Signs are Bilingual in English and Spanish. I found the girls dresses for Fiesta. with their petticoats, bright colors and braid etc. lovely. You can buy anything there from lots of furniture, lovely leather goods, birds in cages, lizards on a leash, crazy decorated bicycles and even cactus leaves (to eat?) with thorns removed.
I bought myself a black leather backpack; brown leather sandals, (made in Mexico); some small colorful Mexican pottery and a feather duster made from brown chicken feathers. (A must have!) Can you imagine if customs opened my case? Some pottery is hand made poor quality like the Zulu pots and then they have lots of mass produced and aged pots, which they sell in Calgary too.
It was lovely to be home though. I was very tired from all the late nights. We had a lot of rain in Calgary while away. Even had some Funnel clouds (mini tornadoes) Calgary seems like a little town after San Francisco.
Now I know the way to San Jose- La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!
Buenos Dias,
Tokeloshe
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