One Weekend= one week

This weekend has flown by, but at a pace that has made my last three days here feel like seven. My shins burn, and my calves are sore.

I finally arrived at midnight on Thursday after both of my flights were delayed by two hours; I almost had to spend the night in Detroit, but they found a flight into San Francisco in no time. Leaving the airport was easy and I made my way onto the BART (a really expensive public transit). After a few minutes, I exited at Civic Center Station, and bid farewell to my new transit friend, Adam. After stepping onto the escalator and adjusting my backpack, someone behind me said, "you look lost." I had been outed as a tourist within a half hour of my arrival. I then got onto the Muni, the most common transit within the city, and eventually exited at Casto Street. I was greeted by Jeff, a former professor, and now good friend. We stopped into a bar called The Q for a quick drink and catch up. I was greeted by a warm couch on which I slept a bit anxiously.

Friday: Jeff and I sat outside- I sipped a coffee, while he smoked a cigarette. We spoke about life in Minnesota, how it can be claustrophobic, and that being who you truly are is fragmented by the cold and closed minds. He spoke about how everyone owned a dog, and that professional dog walkers were a big deal. Moments later I witnessed a man in a red Jeep pull up next door, and pick up a golden lab. Awesome. We then went to get a scone and coffee down the road, I bid Jeff adieu while he made his way to work while I wandered the city for a few hours, taking some photos (sorry my camera died). I saw the legendary Harvey Milk plaza where a massive rainbow flag commemorates the first openly gay politician in California. I realized that everything is fairly central and usually within a few minutes walking distance. That night I met a few of Jeff's friends and we dined at a tasty Vietnamese restaurant called Tu Lan; a place where Julia Child dined!! I had some spring rolls, and a few sips of my prawn soup before I became FULL. We then went to a few biker bars, which are awesome!! It's interesting being one of only a few females in a joint.... we called it a night around 12:30 and I slept like a baby

Saturday: What a day! I got up and wandered into the Mission District, a hip, highly hispanic area. I ate at Tanque Cancun, a VERY delicious burrito joint, had too much. I wandered around a few thrift stores, and eventually met up with my friend Theo. We took a motorcycle ride to the Golden Gate Bridge, drove across, got off, took a picture, and walked about half way across before calling it a day. The hills around that area are breathtaking, but even more so for the many cyclists who brave the winding vertical path to a picturesque lookout. I always feel incredible sitting on a motorcycle, and know that I want to purchase one sometime in the future. San Francisco is the only state that allows its motorcyclists to weave in between cars on the roads, which caused a bit of anxiety on my part, gripping onto Theo's sides for dear life. I love it. SF would be a great city to have a motorcycle in, because its so easy to get around, and I guess you can park on sidewalks.

After Theo dropped me off, I went and checked out a coffee shop my sister recommended called Revolution Cafe. The grungy atmosphere had outdoor seating, wobbly tables, and an amazing young man playing jazz tunes on the Cafe's piano. I sat there for nearly three hours, writing in my journal, and taking in the people, and the music.... until a smelly homeless man sat next to me, and I made my back to the Castro to get ready for dinner. I met Jeff and his friend Nestor, at a fancy Italian restaurant. We had a savory meal, mine of fish and some tasty rice, and an amazing apple turnover for dessert that was soaked in rum and butter. Yum. I think the meal was on Nestors boss... so no penny dropping for me!!

It's now Sunday and I think I am going to make my way out for a cup of coffee and perhaps a small hike. I was thinking about meeting up with Jeff at the thrift store he works at do a little shopping :) until then---