San Francisco

Mr. X had an assignment to attend a conference a.k.a geek camp in San Francisco and asked me to go with him this time around. Little did I know that when I bought my plane ticket, he would need me to be his sherpa...his back was still sore from his good deed a few weeks before. Yes, that was me with the backpacker pack and roller bag hiking the hill.

We arrived Saturday evening and after getting settled in the hotel went out to dinner at an Indian restaurant. Most reviews were favorable, but one had it totally wrong saying that it was inauthentic and that Indians wouldn't eat there. Liar!...all the servers appeared to be Indian, 85% of the patrons appeared to be Indian, and the Indian at the table next to us ordered his favorite home style dish -- which was not on the menu. We felt like we were being lavish, ordering multiple dishes and sides and were prepared for a big bill. It came out to less than $30.

Sunday morning we got ready for breakfast only to learn that there was a dress code -- I had to wear my church clothes to breakfast all week and Mr. X was chagrined he only had one collared shirt.

Sunday and Monday I visited my sister and her family. They showed off their fruit trees and made a batch of homemade lemonade from their lemons. Monday, there somehow ended up being three people in my bed. A couple kiddos were happy I had come to visit. : ) We visited the Winchester mansion and then had a picnic lunch at a park. I went back to San Francisco and planned a day riding the cable cars, visiting the cable car museum, beach, the crookedest street and maritime museum on the waterfront.

Wednesday, I walked from the hotel, across the Golden Gate Bridge. At a park on the other side a custodian told me that it was shorter to walk to Sausalito and then take the ferry back to San Francisco. Honestly, I think it was about the same distance, but it was a fun outing. I loved seeing all the birds at Golden Gate park - especially the pelicans. Before heading back to the hotel I went to Ghirardelli Square to buy a few pieces of chocolate.

Thursday I walked through China town to telegraph hill. It was fun to see all the sidewalk produce sellers and I was tempted by all the fresh ginger for sale. At one park there were masses of people doing tai chi, and I wished Mr. X could have seen it...he needs to try it with a group, if you ask me. I  was hoping to see the parrots of telegraph hill but didn't find them. After all the walking (and sunshine!) I was ready to get back to the hotel to do laundry, pack and finish my homework assignment for the week.