And so is my eight day week! We have been in the United States for one week today, however we lived through the first of those days twice (given the change in time zones) hence our eight day week. It has gone so fast. I fear the next weeks will go even faster. *insert sad face here* I am a little tired today. I have done more exercise in the past week than I have done in the past decade! My blog will be a little less energetic tonight.
Today was absolutely gorgeous. San Francisco had an expected temperature of 27 degrees which is unseasonably warm. Apparently a cold front is coming through and temperatures will drop substantially over the next couple of days. In fact, snow has been predicted at Yosemite which is only about 4 hours from here. We may get to see that!
Anyway back to San Fran today – it was warm and the blue sky was wonderful. It was the perfect day to set out on the bay and visit Alcatraz. It takes twelve and a half minutes by ferry across to the island....and it was on that journey that I got my first look at the Golden Gate Bridge. It is just awesome. We caught a tram down to near the pier where we caught the boat. The trams are absolutely beautiful and the smell reminds me of the old wooden trains that we used to take when Mum took us into town. It was like stepping back in time. Out on the bay in the ferry we were able to look back that the San Francisco skyline - and it was a sight to challenge any capital city that I have seen in my life. I sincerely don't think any city could match it. It is beyond description. I find myself wondering what I will think of New York!
Alcatraz was so much closer to the mainland than I had pictured. It is in such a beautiful spot but it projects a feeling of sadness. I didn't want to feel sad for the prisoners that were there.....but I couldn’t help it. We went around the cell house listening through a headset (it was a self guided audio tour) to a tape recorded by past employees and inmates of Alcatraz. They told of things that happened and things during their time there and felt that there are things that the world should know. Hollywood has glorified Alcatraz and apparently the scripts are a far cry from what really happened. There were things that the narrators didn't tell us although I suspect they would have liked to. I suspect that the walls hold the secrets....those that everyone really do not want to know about. They would rather listen to the myths than the untold truths.
The island was much smaller than I had imagined, as was the jail itself. It really was an eye opener. The cells were small (I think I heard 5 foot x 7 foot) and equipped with a toilet bowl and a bed. It would have been darned cold in the winter. Apparently their food was good and presented well, as it was a legal requirement to do so. The inmates were given a roof over their head, food and clothing. Everything else they received was a privilege.
After getting back to the mainland I experienced another round of “firsts”. I had my first taste of a “Snapple”. I used to see it all the time on Seinfeld, however didn’t really know what it was. It is actually a fruit juice drink. It is quite refreshing and it tasted nice....but it is just a fruit drink. Not juice. I also got to experience a “twinkie” and a “ding dong”. The first is a sort of cylindrical cake with cream that has been piped into the middle of it. It was seriously nice however very sweet. The second was also a cake – chocolate cake with cream in the middle and is covered on the outside with another layer of chocolate. I didn’t like it as much as the twinkie. Just for the record however, I felt a little naughty eating a “Twinkie” and a “Ding Dong”. Maybe it’s just me....but together they sound pornographic. *shrugs*
This afternoon we went in search of Route 37. This was a challenge that Alyx set - as one of her favourite bands make a reference to this. We went about 20 miles north of San Fran and we found the route. It led to Napa Valley which is wine country. I took several photos of the signs that said "37" and we then head back into the city. This afternoon also saw me going over the Golden Gate Bridge for the first time. Alyx had set me the challenge of getting a photograph or video recording of us going over the Golden Gate and singing “Save me San Francisco”. So we did exactly that. Mind you, I could not hold the video recorder, and hold my phone which could have had the lyrics (after seeking help from Google) on tap – so I had to wing it. I might have mumbled my way through the song not knowing the words....but the chorus? I owned that shit! Mind you I sounded like a South African Tree Climbing Duck.
The Bear rang the cattery today to check on Benson and Chester. The lady told the Bear that she is calling Chester “The Turtle”. He is apparently crawling in under the bedding and chasing the toy mice that the Bear left for them. When under the round bedding he looks like a turtle. This may be typical behaviour for a cat...however Chester is not really aware that he is a cat...and I have no idea where this side of him came from. I am guessing that the poor thing has had a nervous breakdown due to being left and is suffering from schizophrenia . He clearly is sending out a cry for help....the poor boy. Benny apparently snubbed the people for a couple of days....but then realised that sucking up to them was better than no-one at all. Typical Benson behaviour....so I know he is fine.
The Bear then rang Elena (the lady who is looking after Schultz and Ella) and apparently they are behaving. *sigh* They only misbehave when I am around. God I miss them! AI know most of you will remember my anguish at leaving my babies and that the Bear rang Lena when I had wanted to cancel the second place that I had booked them into. Lena is their groomer and if she could have recommended someone, then I would trust her judgement. As it turned out, she was happy to look after them - and given that she is one of the very few people that I would trust with them, I was stoked! Ella and Schultz love her. I am sure my relief was visible! Apparently Elena ‘s husband loves them so much, they are wanting to get one! I suggested that we could get another one too so that we can get a discount for a multiple purchase. Of course, this was quickly stomped out...although I think the Bear thinks I was joking. He even put his best foot forward in trying to give away my dogs, and offered Elena first rights to keeping them.....however he realised that it is far too warm for hell to have frozen over. I miss my babies too much! Secretly though, I am hoping the dogs want to come home when we get back as Elena allows them both to sleep on her bed! I would LOVE to have them sleep with me in bed however the Bear draws the line there. On the bright side of things, I am glad they are being looked after so well. Just for the record, Lena you ROCK! Anyone looking for a really good pet salon, with awesome people who REALLY care for animals....call Elena's Groom Room.
Tomorrow will be our last full day in San Francisco. We are going to do some more touristy things and do a spot of shopping. I would also like to visit the "Spy Cafe" across the road. It is a fair dinkum spy shop! I was tempted to do a nudey run (it is legal to get around starkers here...as long as you are not aroused, and are not around children) however I don't think even San Francisco would be ready for me to do that. I can only begin to think of the news headlines. "Nude lady gets slapped in the face by her own belly!" I still cannot get over how beautiful this city is so I wouldn't want to spoil that with blubber and cellulite. I could go down the road to the Asian Trannies who are doing a show here is San Fran at the moment. I could chuck on a boa and shake my groove thang with the shims!!
