Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
I thought Hawaii was dodgy! Arrived in downtown San Fran at 11pm. Bit scary, I have never seen so many homeless people in one street! Huge hostel so I'm going to look for somewhere else tomorrow, it's impossible to meet people in the large hostels. It is so loud here! Try to get some kip, but there's sirens, horns and the very annoying homeless guy singing directly under my bedroom window.
First impressions of San Fran: LOVE IT! It's so fun and everyone is friendly. Just spent the day getting my bearings and walked along Fisherman's Wharf. There is such a mixture of people and surroundings, it's so easy to end up in a dodgy area, as I found out this morning. Went for a jog before it got too hot and jogged past the Hilton, a few cafes then turned the corner into a ghetto! There were about twenty homeless and a gang congregated on the the other side of the street doing some sort of deal! By then it was a bit too late to turn back so I ran faster. As I was nearing the end of the street a police car came from each direction and the gang dispersed and I saw a full on police chase at 9am on a monday morning. Wouldn't get that in Leatherhead.
Moved into a smaller hostel in the afternoon and two Irish guys arrived shortly after me. They, like all the Irish I've met, were such a laugh. Had me creasing constantly, really good company. Although when they speak to each other it's really hard to understand what the hell they are saying! I took a trip over to Alcatraz for the day, very interesting and the view of San Fran from there was amazing. I could spend hours walking by the down Fisherman's Wharf, there are loads of quirky little shops and random street entertainers. One guy is dressed head to toe in branches, camoflaged as a bush and you don't notice him until he jumps out and scares the crap out of you! I also met a homeless man holding a sign stating "I need booze and weed" so I gave him a couple of dollars for his honesty.
Biked the bridge the following day and spent what little money I had left in Abercrombie and Fitch where there was a beautiful male model just posing in the doorway of the store! I spent most of the afternoon in that shop, did I mention he was half naked?
The following day we travelled half an hour on the train to watch a baseball match, which lasted hours but was so much fun! Obviously we smuggled some beers into the stadium.
Very excited about coming home, definately feel ready for it. I feel fat, unfit and very unhealthy. Plus I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE GEORGE! It's been far too long and an emotional rollercoaster!
So my last night of travelling was going to be spent in front of the TV at the hostel, as I had no funds and being only 20 I wouldn't get served anywhere anyway. But Kevin and Brian weren't having any of it. They treated me to dinner then went onto an Irish bar where they were meeting friends. Out of all the places to drink in San Francisco they choose an Irish bar???? Didn't complain seeing as I wasn't paying. Drunk ourselves silly, Irish styley, rolled up to the hostel at god knows what time only to realise none of us could remember the code to let us in!
The following morning I packed my bag for the final time - definately won't miss doing that all the time! But as I went to put it into storage for the day, I was greeted by San Fran's major problem, a homeless old man smoking crack in the doorway. Lovely. What a beautiful way to remember the city!
- comments