So we bloody made it to our first stop!! after a loooong flight and char being left to her own devices wedged between an american and a scotsman. she didnt seem to mind tho as she was chattin away (about chemistry phd's and the like).

We made our way out of the airport and to the baat (train) absolutley fine, and became so confident that we are ace travelers already we failed to notice that we had arrived at our stop. jumped up like maniacs too late, grabbed all our stuff and headed for the door only to find that they closed on laura and jess leavin char bewildered at the station. (Dont panic mums it ok we found her). Coz we REALLY are ace travellers me and laura navigated our way onto a train back and found char, rather calm, reading a mag after being told that the next train station was 5 blocks away.... oh dear. but dont lose faith yet!

after finally leavin the station we emerged into midtown san fran (by union sq) and stood for AGES like the tourists we are trying to navigate our way to the hostel.... after refusing to ask for help and instead just crossing the road to stand for longer on the other side a very kind lady came up to us (american as u like) askin if we needed help and we graciously accepted. we then set off, bags on back in the direction of our hostel, only to find that san francisco really IS a hilly as they say... phew, we are come come back buff as buff.

we found our hostel and we were greeted by a very cheerful and nice receptionsit who told us all the best attractions (and which bars let underagers in). after investgating our rooms (and discovering there is no toilet door) and the hostel we headed off in searh of grub, and of course the first american diner we came past we just piled into. All orderin a cadillac burger with montery jack we wolfed it down (and in jess' case it swiftly came back up). But all is well. been here a day and already lovin it. we'll keep you posted xxxxxx