Second day in SFO

Today is a cloudy day. We started early, we had lots of places to cover. We reached Embarcodero and walked towards the clock tower, it was 8.30 am. Had coffee and crrosiant at Peets at Clock Tower and moved on to board the ferry for Sausulito. There is a Gandhi Statue at this terminal, I visited that, while Andrea stood in the queue. We boarded the ferry and started raining. It was very windy and chilly. We could see the beautiful skyline of San Francisco.

We got down at Sausulito island and it started pouring heavily. We walked around the sea coast on the left side, this has beautiful buildings and has houses built one above the other connected with steep steps. Then we moved  on the rigjt side of tje ferry terminal and walked for a mile or so in search of the indian eatery India Sartaj Cafe  at 43 Caledonia St, Sausalito, CA 94965. I had a thali and the food was good. Thereafter we walked out back to the main road and took a hop on hop off bus. The driver was pretty smart and did a lot of talking. We had planned to take a bus from her which takes us via the Golden Gate Bridge to the Fisherman's Warf and we got this.

This was a terrific ride and the with the cold and rain and the wind, sitting atop on the open bus, the bridge ride could have never been so thrilling, I am sure. He drove is further in Lombard Street and we were at the Warf within 20 mins. We had enough time to take our 3.20 pm tour to Alcatraz and so decided to walk up to see the Crooked Street. It's not at all a walk up rather I must say a climb up the hill. We had to climb 2 hills to reach the junction of this crooked Street and Lombard Street and phew! What a beautiful sight, completely green with variety of flora, it is a breathtaking Street. It is as if a snake is walking in a zig zag manner. On each side of the street, are the steps for easy access as the street is meant to drive cars.

We walked down to Peir 33 by 3 pm to board the 3.20 pm ferry for Alcatraz. This was penitiary jail, upto 1963. We climbed up, which is a steep hill lock and took the audio tour. The history of this jail, the living of the convicts and the stories of the jail break were scary. Being their and experiencing the whole place is depressing.

It was evening, by the time this tour was done, our last destination was Boudin sour dough factory. We saw how symmetrically, the dough was layered and how the bread was packed. We walked through their museum and enjoyed reading and seeing the variety of sour dough breads are made. Among the types of breads, was a mention of Indian Naan :)

They also serve various chowders in bread bowl. We ordered the Rustic Tomato Soup with cheese in bread bowl. All others were clam or mix with non veg :( the one we ate sounded good, but didnot found it so enjoyable. The bread is too chewy.

With this, we walked back and took a tram to Embarcodero Bart Station. From here took a Bart upto Dublin/ Plasenteno to go the Anna's home. Anna came to receive us at the Bart Station and we stayed at her home that night.

Day one in SFO

After a good night sleep, morning had tea with Anna in her garden, oh what a beautiful garden she has! With lovely roses and a fountain and above all overlooking the golf course.

We had breakfast and Anna dropped me at the Castro Valley Bart station. Andrea was waiting for me. We boarded the Bart and decided to get down at Embarcodero.

At Embarcodero, we stroll for sometime. Got a clipper card, so we could use on any public transport. Then boarded a F bus for fisherman s warf and got down at Peir 39.

This place was full of people and was really buzzing. It seemed familiar to me like one in London. We went around the Peir and it was very scenic. On one side was the Bay bridge and other side Alcatraz.

As we took a round around the Pier, we spotted the sea lions and the sight of 100s of sea lions was amazing. Some were playing, some were squealing, some swimming and we saw sea gulls and pelicans flying over and around.

We had lunch here at a Mexican Hotel called Mangoes of Mexico, had a Mango Burrito, it was a good meal. Here we found lots of shell item and Hawaiians Pearls. The Pearls are removed from the live shell and then as per customers wish made into earnings or pendant.

Bread Bowl with chowder was something we missed and plan to do eat tommorow.

Coming out, we first walked towards Peir 33 to book our Alcatraz cruise and then walked towards Ghirardelli Chocolate Square. This spot is on uphill overlooking the sea coast and the mountains on the other side. The coast is completely green with garden and people get dogs here for walks. Then at one corner of this Park was a cable car Terminus. Cable cars surprisingly run on roads, like trams and are open like a horse cart. I found these funny.

At the Ghirardelli Square, we went around to check for the chocolate factory, but they told it has been closed since few years, but for visitors have some old machinery for exhibit, which was within the chocolate and ice cream bar. We checked in and saw the exhibits, it actually has liquid chocolate and the two arms were mechanically mixing it. It was very interesting and reminded me of our Indian flour grinding machines.

The Hot Chocolate Fudge Sundae was labeled as World Famous and so we ordered one, indeed was a feast for the buds.

After this we walked down the coast and watched the setting Sun and the beauty around. Cable car was the next thing to do. We boarded one, there are few seats and they allow people to stand on the step in hanging position. This is considered fun and Andrea insisted we either stand behind or hang on the side steps and she did. The ride was real fun, we go uphill and downhill and we passed through the intersection of the crooked Street and Lombard Street. But the over crowding mars the beauty. Still it's once in lifetime ride.
We alighted at the last stop at Powel and had dinner at Little Delhi. By accident, we stumbled upon this place and saw people going in and out and thought it must be a good place. So had filling veg biryani and salads. Got into the Bart and alighted at Castro Valley, where Andrea' uncle came to pick us up.
Quite an eventful day.

The beginning of the much awaited trip

I got before the crack of the dawn, did all my final backing and I was all set to leave home.

The flight time was 9.30 am and I was required at the airport 40 mins before the flight departure, but as typical Indians we started much ahead of time.

As I got into the car, I saw the morning was full of fog, it was quite dense and I somewhere, I was worried about the take off of the flight on the right time.

At the Elmira Airport, all seemed ok and security through smooth.  All the passengers were greeted with snacks, munchies, drinks and coffee. Delta is really very warm towards its passengers sometimes I feel.

Flight was delayed by 1/2 hrs, though we boarded in time. Everything on the flight was as follows usual, biscotti and soft drinks were served. It was a 50 min duration flight, however the landing was noisy and a bit scary. Well, finally we did land at Detroit at gate no A 73.

My next connected flight was from Gate No A 75, so not much of walking. From here to Dallas.

The flight to my surprise was a very small one similar to out Elmira flights and many taking carry on luggage, the over head cabins got full. Somehow, managed to keep my bags.

Flight distance was 2 hrs and as usual the attendant served a snack and a drink. I didnot have one, just plain water. Interestingly, I had carried ' paratha and lonache' and had a portion of it at the airport. :) without feeling ashamed, it's a previlage to be on your own otherwise with Vilas not possible. His time the landing was quite smooth and the temperatures outside was warm and sunny. I could see all greenery from the window with nice College like building s and instant warmth swept in me. Milind stays here and maybe that huge building is his College. Affection is one such thing, it has no boundaries and is like wild fire, catches from one corner to the other engulfing the whole terrain.

At Dallas, the gate I came out from, had characters from some TV show, they were warm and welcoming the passengers. I took a photo with them, it was fun and all cheered and laughed in their company.

Here, the lay over there is almost 3 hrs and I wished to spend some time with Milind my cousin, but he replied saying he had an appointment with his son Keshav's School. :( no meeting. My San Francisco flight was at Gate E 9, so started walking towards it.

On the way, I saw an entrance to the skyline train and through the glass window could see flights taking off and landing. Indeed a beautiful scene. Took pictures and a video here.

Here I have gone 1 hour behind to my EST zone and waiting for my flight UA 5834.

Boarded the flight and much to my amazement, the flight size is pretty much the same and to add more, in all my 3 flights I was allowed an ayle seat. I love clicking photos during take off and landing, but hard luck this time.

Flight took off the right time, but it's  4 hr journey and boring with only beverages served twice and snack just once, which is just a handful.

Dallas seemed very green from the flight, looks like they get lots of Sun round the year. Loved it from top especially, some known persons like Milind and Shekhar lives. Vilas reminded me, Sudha could have come to meet, if I had to inform her. Anyway, people are too busy these days and find it difficult to meet or see in person. My grand mother would narrate his in just one saying, ' drusti chi Maya ani patra chi bhook'.

San Francisco is 3 hrs behind our timing, cannot wait to alight and see the magic of this city. SFO to be enjoyed and explored in 6 days, with old friends Andrea and Anna. Anna is finally coming to pick me at the airport, will have to wait for her.

Our flight pilot declared, we will be landing shortly and I was excited. Somehow peeping through the windows, trying to take the glimpse of SFO from air. I could see water all around, small hills and land with greenery. Our plane started a decline and could see just water below, it was flying so low, that I was wondering, if it is landing on the water and suddenly I got a bump, confirming we hit the land, aaha!

I opened my mobile network and saw Andreas message, I am at the gate with my cousin Paulo, to receive you. Just rushed through and came out, got into the car, they were to drive me to Anna's home. We chatted on the way. The drive was scenic with the sun setting in the background.

With the road work, finding Anna's home became difficult, so we called her at a particular gas station, she came and finally we all 3 met.

After a brief chat, Andrea and Paulo left and we two went to a Thai restaurant. Has a sumtuous dinner of veg rice, eggplant veg sizzler and a speciality fried banana with ice cream dessert. Drived home, it took good 1/2 hr to get back and no wonder we could locate her home. Since it was late, we said good night.