Day 25, 26, 27: Chinatown & North Beach

Lombard and Golden Gate from Coit, originally uploaded by edmarchedrick.

25 - Offers were sent out.

26 - More work. Nothing exciting.

27 - Went into the city, visited Chinatown & North Beach (aka Little Italy).

The Caltrain to SF was hella crowded. So ridiculous! It was a good thing I got on early when there were seats available because the aisles were full of standing people by the end. I got off at the SF Caltrain Station and got on the 30 towards Washington Square for the North Beach Festival. This small bus was even more crowded! Jeez Louis. I decided to get off midway and just walk the rest of the way because I could not stop laughing inside the bus. It was that crowded/ridiculous. People wanted to come in, but were turned down because there was no room. And there was one point in which the bus couldn't move for about 5 minutes because the driver couldn't close the back door. We were sardines. We really were. It was really quite comical.

So, I went up to SF today because of the North Beach Festival. Lots of people. Lots of booths, musicians, beer, good-looking people. It felt a lot like the Pecan Street Festival that takes place on 6th street in Austin, but a lot less weird.

Lots of pizza shops here. Oh ho ho. And lots of Italia supporters for the World Cup.

North Beach was decent. I didn't find anything too exciting except for City Lights Bookstore, where I spent a good hour reading Milan Kundera. Apparently, this place is pretty historic. It kind of reminded me of that bookstore in Denton, but less large and with new books.

Not too far from Little Italy is this scenic lookout called Coit Tower. Man, if anyone wants to see all of San Francisco from one spot, this is the place to do that. On one side, you can see the crazy zig-zaggy Lombard Street and the Golden Gate Bridge (photo at the very top).

On the other side, you can see the bay, the Oakland Bay Bridge, and the Financial District.

And you can even see Alcatraz. I mean, I wasn't expecting this type of view. I always thought that when I first see the Bay or the bridge or whatever that it would be no big deal because I'd seen it all in films and in photos. But in real life - man, it was really pretty. I actually let out a gasp when I climbed up to the tower. So grand, so cold.

But I didn't actually go up the tower. The line was too darn long. Maybe next time!

Now, let's talk Chinatown. This place has a lot of character and a lot of tourists! I wanted to buy some bubble tea and various baked goods at this one shop, but they didn't take credit. Luckily, there was a Chase bank nearby where I could get change.

"Do you always carry large bills with you?"
"Um... no. Just today. A lot of these shops don't take credit."
"Oh. You're not from around here are you?" (I think my DSLR was a big giveaway)
"No."
"Where are you from?"
"Austin."
"Australia!???"
"No, Austin. Austin, Texas."
"I've never been there, but I want to go one day. Do you like it?"
"I love it. You should go."
"I want to. One day. Texas. Dallas, Austin, Houston."
"Ooh, I don't like Houston."
"I wanna go see the new Cowboy Stadium!"
"I haven't even been there yet."
"Are there a lot of Asians in Texas?"
"Uh... not as much as here."
"But still a lot, right? Lots of Asian girls in Houston?"
"Um... ya, I think so."
"How about Austin?"
"Well, it's a college town, so ya, lots of Asian girls at the university."
"That's it! Next time, I'll be over there!"

This guy -- my banker -- made me laugh.

After, I went to this shop called Golden Gate Bakery. The line was long! So naturally, I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. I asked a guy behind me if the line was always so long.

"Well, it's a local place that all the locals go to, you know?"

Ok dude, I know I'm a tourist... but you're a DOUCHE.

Saw a shop that sold fake Louis Vuitton clutches and Chanel sunglasses. Can't say I've been to Chinatown without seeing knockoffs. Also, just an observation, but a lot of the shops were slow to serve me. Actually, it's was less that they were slow and more that they would ignore me to help out the next person, usually someone who spoke Chinese. That was definitely a little aggravating.

Well, that's all! Tiring trip! I'm glad to be home and to finally have some food in my refrigerator.

If I remember anything else, I'll cover it in tomorrow's blog entry.

Tchau amigos!