A Sunny Day in San Francisco

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On a very chilly day in Bangalore winter (not very chilly, I admit, however I’ve skinny pores and skin), I sit shivering in my scarf, and questioning what to do on a chilly morning when the remainder of the home isn’t up, and I can’t get any sleep – as a result of it’s too chilly. Have I stated that sufficient instances? Sure, it’s most likely a balmy 13 levels for many of you, however in Bangalore, that hardly ever goes under 20; it’s chilly.

Anyway, up and bundled below a heat scarf and sipping a scorching chai, I made a decision to scroll by means of my previous photographs—my favorite senseless pastime—and I got here throughout a bunch of dazzlingly brilliant, sunny photographs of San Francisco from my work journey final yr—sure, that place that’s at all times cloudy and foggy.

I’ve been to San Francisco fairly a variety of instances, however this was the one time the solar was blazing scorching—early Might, far too early for such warmth!

Anyway, I don’t have a lot to say in regards to the place as a lot. I final visited in 2011, and never a lot has modified, but in addition all the pieces has modified. Again after I visited in 2011, I cherished the downtown areas round Market, the central sq., and the huge Macy’s, however this time, all the pieces seemed a little bit rundown and drained. Much more homeless individuals on the road, and fairly just a few of them with psychological well being/drug use points. My colleague and I needed to linger round and do some window buying, however because the night progressed, the place seemed a bit too seedy, and we made a hasty exit.

Chinatown has cleaned up properly although, and we spent an excellent couple of hours shopping for fortune cookies, fridge magnets (less expensive than the vacationer areas), and different enjoyable knick-knacks for very low-cost.

Surprisingly not too crowded
Shiny and vibrant
Sweltering on this heavy sweatshirt

One other fairly pleasurable exercise was happening the open-top bus. I even have by no means finished this earlier than, nevertheless it was a scorching day, we have been jet-lagged and didn’t need to stroll all over the place, so we booked one after which sat on the highest having fun with the solar and feeling like we did one thing – as an alternative of sleeping off the jet lag in our room.

Colorful neighborhood of Haight-Ashbury
Vibrant neighbourhood of Haight-Ashbury
Views of Golden Gate park from our bus
Views of Golden Gate Park from our bus

And final however not least, no San Francisco go to is full with no lengthy ramble down the pier all the way in which to Ghirardelli Sq.

Sun setting in Ghirardelli Square
Solar setting in Ghirardelli Sq.

Ghirardelli goodies are the one goodies I like from the US, so I indulged right here, getting bagfuls to take dwelling. Their ice cream is fairly nice, too—at all times to share, although. US portion sizes are insane.

Mint and chocolate - delicious
Mint and chocolate – scrumptious

I often discover meals at hyped-up locations overrated, however the ice cream was completely scrumptious. We cherished each little bit of it. What was overrated, although, have been the Wonka chocolate bars, which my son requested me to get him.

Wonka chocolates were disappointing
Wonka goodies have been disappointing

The day ended with a trip on the cable automotive – one thing I hadn’t finished earlier than (timings by no means aligned). Co-incidentally, the cable automotive goes very near our place of keep, so it additionally made for a daily commute whereas additionally being a enjoyable and novel, albeit touristy expertise.

Waiting for the cable car to start
Ready for the cable automotive to begin

Ending this submit with considered one of our greatest meals experiences – roadside eating at a comfy, household Italian joint in North Seashore. This was one of many higher neighborhoods, and we actually loved the environment, and the meals was easy but in addition most likely the perfect factor we ate throughout our keep.

Pasta in some nameless North Beach restaurant
Pasta in some anonymous North Seashore restaurant

Total, with my third go to to San Francisco – the sheen has worn off a bit. Nonetheless a pleasant place, however fraying across the edges. I nonetheless love town, nevertheless it’s not going to be a precedence to go to on different enterprise journeys. Surprisingly, I felt that San Jose – that barely, impersonal, techie metropolis had much more going for it this time round. Downtown San Jose, the Westfield shopping center areas, and another locations have been a delight – now, if solely they’d repair the general public transport.

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