10th August

So Last week from Monday until Saturday I stayed in a Hostel in the centre of San Fran. The hostel was great, 2 blocks from China Town and right bang in the middle so it was easy to get everywhere! The people were really nice as well and I made some great friends, especially with the staff.

On Monday, I took the open top tour bus around the city and saw all the main sights. China Town, North Beach(little Italy), the windy road, fisherman's wharf and Union Square etc. It was much colder than the rest of California due to an eternal cloud and cold air hanging over the city.

Monday night we went to a gay bar in the castro which was loads of fun and cocktails were only 80 cents! It was nice to have a proper night out and we all had a good boogie.

On Tuesday I was pretty hungover :s so wandered around chinatown and went for a lovely chinese meal in the evening with 2 Aussie lads from the hostel. We then had some drinks in an old little bar called Specs which had a menagerie of strange things all over the walls!

On Wednesday I walked to fisherman's wharf which is basically where all the piers are and is a bit like Blackpool in San Fran and rented a bike. I rode it all along the bay (a substantial journey!) to the Golden Gate Bridge which I crossed. I was absolutely terrified and couldnt stop or look over the side because it was too high (I hate heights) but I pushed passed all the pedestrians and made it to the other side not before I nearly broke down in tears from the fear! I was very proud when I made it over. I rode down the hill into a little town called Sausolito on the otherside which was lovely (and sunny unlike San Fran) and later caught the ferry back over to fisherman's wharf. We went past Alcatraz, which I didnt go into at all in the week because it was fully booked.

On Thursday, I took a bus to the Haight and Ashbury - where all the flower power etc. was based. There were lots of cool shops all along there, lots still selling the hippy vibe! And there were lots of old hippies trying to continue the dream....

In the evening we went to a karaoke bar, where as soon as I started singing the bar emptied apart from the hostel people! We had a great night and all had a little sing song - I sung Hey Jude of course!

Friday was my last day, so hung out with the friends I had made and on Saturday I returned to San Jose to pack my stuff in order to fly to New Zealand!