0km out of 2407km so far

One more day off in the city of San Fransisco, which I spent walking around various areas of the city. My shins started aching a bit from all this walk and going down the hills. I took the public transit to the Golden Gates Park to meet with Garry and visit the De Young museum of Art. In the gardens in front of the museum, there were DJs playing techno music all day long, so people had gathered to party, even if it was still midday. We spent an hour or two in the museum. It also has a tower with an amazing panoramic view of the city.

Garry went off to box his bike and prepare his stuff for the flight. His 5 months trip had came to an end and he was still hangover from the night before. My party time is coming soon, but somehow I don’t want this trip to finish yet.

I left the museum and continued walking around the city. I went through Haight-Ashbury, the capital of the hippies. The area is full of neat cafes, restaurants, music stores, vintage and thrive stores, I took the opportunity to buy a $2 belt as my shorts falling off and moved on with my walk.

I walked all the way to mission, which is another interesting area, part of the Latin community of the city, full of taquerias and little shops selling all kind of things. During night it becomes the hipster mecca of San Fransisco. It was getting a little cold and I was waiting to meet up with Garry and Liz again. What a better way to kill some time by having a haircut. I was looking to get one since I started the trip, but I was just looking for a cheap place and there it was. Haircut for $9 at a place where they are also selling mobile phone cases and DVDs. She did a great job and I was happy to look a little less than a hobo.

Right after that I met with the guys and we went off to a Mexican restaurant for dinner. Kirsty did a really good job with a dozen recommendations for places to eat and drink. One of the great advantages of knowing a local. The food was amazing, reasonably prices and we were all happy.

After dinner we met with Charlie, Erik and two of their friends, since they were also in the area. We wondered around the city and had a couple of drinks at a brewery. Just before midnight I said the last goodbyes to everyone and headed off home, as I wanted to get back on the road tomorrow. It was nice spending time with all these people I randomly met during the trip, but also with Kirsty and Robb. I am very grateful for their hospitality and generosity. San Fransisco was great! Hopefully one day I will come back.

0km out of 2407km so far

Today is a no bike day. I locked it at Kirsty’s place and I went on my day without it for a change. We had breakfast, Robb left for work and I spent the morning washing everything I carry on the bike. It’s nice to know I will have a fresh start when I leave the city.

At around noon I left the house on foot to explore the city. I’ve been in San Fransisco before, so I kind of knew my way around. I started making my way to the north and I stopped by the cable car museum, which is the actual control center for the famous public transport of the city. In case you don’t know, at that building there are some huge motors, pulling the underground cables all around the city. The cars grab the moving cable underneath them so they can move and release it when they want to stop. You can hear the moving cables under the tarmac, even if there is no train near by.

Next stop was North Beach square, which is an Italian neighborhood. I think the last time I had a pizza was back in Vancouver, so I have been thinking about one for a long time. This area was the right place for a slice or two.

I continued walking south through Chinatown, which is a very busy area full of stores selling all kind of weird goods.

I got to Market street and visited the Asian Art museum, which had exhibits from the 7 different regions, since the ancient times. It also had a small contemporary section, with western work influenced by Asian culture.

The museum is at the Civic center, opposite the town hall. In the whole plaza, there was an extreme sports event taking place. They’ve set up huge skateboard and BMX ramps for the crazy dudes to jump off. I believe there were many big names there, as I saw kids asking for autographs all the time.

I continued wondering around the whole area, all the way to Fillmore, looking at stores, galleries and cafes.

In the late afternoon, mist covered the west side of the city and it got a little cold. I started making my way back home. I stopped by the supermarket for bike supplies and ingredients for tonight’s dinner as promised.

I used to work with Kirsty in London many years ago. She moved to San Fransisco with Robb 4 years ago, when he started working for Pixar as an animator.