The first task in SF was to find Linda's beetle in the maze of car parks. SF airport is undergoing reconstruction, too. First we drove across the Golden Gate Bridge to the Marin headlands in Marin County, and stopped to enjoy the views, which included Alcatraz. Afterwards we drove past the Marina and North Beach, and Linda tried to frighten the life out of me by driving down a very steep hill! Sorry Linda, I'm used to steep hills here in the UK too, albeit not in the middle of the city.:-)
In the evening we drove back into SF and parked in Union Square. We went to the local Borders (another nice bookshop. I hope the style crosses over the pond). Here we saw Jonatha Brooke give a concert. I really liked the new song she played. We met Linda's friends Joel and Marcus. Afterwards the four of us wandered around the area, particularly Chinatown. Linda made a beeline for the jewellery and I for the postcards. At one point we met a man in the street calling 'Merry Christmas', and handing out presents. It turned out he was giving out hair spray. Another was ranting about Clinton at the top of his lungs. We had a good meal in a fascinating restaurant where we were in a wooden cubicle.
We were up fairly early in the morning to go to Linda's German class. Seemed like a good and varied bunch of people. I sat there struggling for common words while managing to impress with the occasional unusual one.
Linda made an inspired choice for the afternoon - her friend Lisa came over in her 4 x 4 and we drove all the way up Mount Hamilton to Lick Observatory. The views were beautiful, and the tours of the observatories fascinating. Popping out to the shops if you live there must be something, though. Lisa and I bought some fascinating sundial pendants. The view of Silicon Valley on the way down as the light faded was fascinating. We had dinner at a Mexican restaurant, then repaired back to Linda's, where I listened to them singing and playing. I look forward to the time I can say that I heard them before they became famous!
Sunday morning was more leisurely, and I sneaked the opportunity to sit out in the sun in the garden and watch the birds. Then we did a bit of shopping, including some much-needed stamps, and visited a friend of Linda's. Lunch was at a Vietnamese noodle house. It was very nice, but eating soup with chopsticks was quite a challenge! Next, it was time to go back to the airport to catch flight UA 2057 at 18:00 to L.A., arriving 19:21. :-(
In episode 12 - Where will Eliot take me?
© 2001. Copyright Sue Nethercott.