Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Karen's Travels
San Francisco is in California, but no images for this city. Would you believe it? You'll just have to wait for my brilliant photos! Well, it's been a packed day and I'm exhausted (again)! Our first chore this morning was to be first in line for the hostel's washing machines and to give our clothes a long over-due wash. I'm sick of handwashing! Then we caught a streetcar to the waterfront and hired bicycles for the day. For those of you who know me, a bike ride always fills me with trepidation and fear, but we had a great day. I've cycled over the Golden Gate Bridge!! I hope you're all suitably impressed. The only problem with this wonderful bridge is that 95% of the time it is shrouded in mist, so you can't actually see it! When it comes to taking photos, you have to play the waiting game. The mist will lift for literally seconds, only to descend again, obliterating the bridge completely. I managed to get a few snaps at different intervals. The bridge is only about 2 miles long, but we had to cycle through the city first to reach it and kept stopping on the bridge for photos. It's very high with great views (when the mist clears). On the other side, we continued to a nearby town, which meant cycling along the waterfront - very pretty. The sun shone all day but it was breezy. The temperature is much cooler here and you need a jumper on the bridge, where the wind made it quite cold. The girls continued further with their ride while I explored the little town (forgotten the name) and caught the ferry with my bike back across the bay, with beautiful views of Alcatraz and the Bay bridge. Did a bit of shopping on Pier 39 (more souvenirs) while I waited for the girls to return. We then took another trolley car to a street called Steiner Street, otherwise known as Postcard Row because of its attractive Victorian houses. Behind the houses are skyscrapers so you have the new superimposed on the new. It was a LONG walk from the trolley stop but worth it for the photo opportunity. Another long walk to the supermarket for provisions and I wasn't eating my dinner/supper until 10pm! Tomorrow we leave San Francisco at 9.45am, taking a Greyhound Bus to Yosemite National Park (about 4 hours) where we are staying in a cabin (attached to the hostel there). Apparently, the main road leading from our hostel to the Park has suffered a massive rock slide and is impassable so our journey to the park will take a little longer by an alternative route. I have really enjoyed San Francisco - I recommend it to anyone planning a visit to the US. I've got used to yet another currency. $2 is roughly one pound, so it's not difficult. Drinks and food come in HUGE portions which makes it easy to understand why America has an obesity problem. I am addressed as 'Ma'am' by American men and Americans really do say 'Have a nice day'! On the streetcars, notices tell you that you are obliged by Federal law to give up your seats at the front to seniors and disabled people and the American flag flies just about everywhere. Can't think of anything else at the moment and need to go to bed! Love to all until the next instalment....
- comments