More adventures of Ross and Lance in the wonderland of San Francisco.
After a luxurious 8 1/2 hours of sleep, I got up about 8 and hit the shower straight away, rather than sneaking out to Starbucks at 6 a.m. as usual. Ross and I had a lot of scheduled events and tasks today so I didn't have enough time to waste with a lazy start at my favorite Starbucks near the Hilton.
By the time I had showered etc., and got all ready and made a little noise at the computer, Ross was starting to make groaning early morning waking up noises. At around 9 a.m. he lept out of bed and got through the shower his own self.
We had decided to do our laundry today and Ross had scouted out a wash, dry and fold place not too far from our hotel. 3 blocks uphill from our hotel on Taylor Street and one block over to the left as we walked up hill. A lovely lady took all of our week's laundry for two peeps and said she would wash, dry and fold it for $25! Yikes! What a bargoon! Drop off at 9:30 a.m. pick up at 5:30 p.m.
Then down to David's Delicatessen again for another Jewish Deli Breakfast.
Ross had a Lox and Onions 3-egg Omelette. Yummy. I had the Bluebery Butermilk Pancakes with fruit and Maple Syrup. Oh yeah.
Now that's a breakfast. Poor Ross had to settle for his Lox and Onions Omelette. Oh well.
More of David's Deli Menu.
Should probably have had Cold Beer Borscht with Sour Cream. Either that or Pickled Tongue and Swiss Cheese. Hmmmmm.
Since we are staying at The Mark Twin Hotel, they have placed a little book, with Mark Twain Quotes and histories of the city and the hotel.
Here's what Mark Twain had to say about his long residence in San Francisco:
" I have done more for San Francisco than any other of its old residents.
Since I left there it has increased in population fully 300,000.
I could have done more -
I could have gone earlier -
it was suggested -"
After Breakfast we ran around to Macy's where Ross mailed a package to Lee at work at the TAFE.
Look out for that package Little Lee you will love to share it with meeting colleagues.
Also sent a package to Lovely Cousin Kate. Look out for packages around July 15th or so.
We looked for more pearls for Lee but nothing jumped out at us. We promise to look more carefully when we get to New York City. I just booked the Shuttle Bus to take us to the airport day after tomorrow. We are getting picked up at 6:30 a.m. I hope that I can get Ross awake.
We then went to a few shops where Ross returned some items he had purchased the day before.
I got a pair of Levi Straus 504 jeans for $13. Huge sale.
Then we jumped on the F-Line Trams and headed down Market Street towards Castro Street, several kilometers along Market Street. We jumped off in the Spanish section of the city as we wanted to visit Mission Delores, the oldest surviving building in San Francisco. Established at about the same time as the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776.
Flax, a Art and Design Store down near Mission, in the Spanish section of the city.
We walked down Valencia towards Mission and looked into an antique store as we passed
called Stuff. I bought Ty a wonderful antique for a present. Great news Ty; you can now be the proud owner of a Barry Bonds Bobble Head Doll. Circa 1990.
We stopped at many shops that caught our eye, cute, quirky shops. This was one above.
The original Mission Dolores. The oldest building of San Francisco, made of 4 foot thick adobe walls, it survived the big earthquake of 1906, where as the huge new church next door was destroyed and had to be rebuilt.
Inside the old Mission Church. Beautiful, with lots of terrific sculptures and depicted saints and scenes.
The ceiling was all wooden beams painted in a strange pattern, very stunning, however.
Ross and I really enjoyed the Mission Delores and after an excellent tour, we went next door to the new Basilica, the new Cathedral. It was gorgeous as well, although obviously not the depth of time to give it its presence and power.
Both churches were so impressive. Popes and Presidents have visited regularly. A very spiritual place. Ross was good to suggest the visit. It was very moving.
Ross just demonstrating the 4-foot thickness of the old Mission church walls. Earthquake proofing in 1776. (I suppose it was also Indian attack proofing as well.).
After this we walked along checking out the sights of the Spanish Quarter. Finally getting to the meeting of Market St. and Castro St. Ross wanted to check out Cliff's Specialty and Hardware Store, just a little ways down Castro. Wow! What a shop! I admit I wasn't initially sold on visiting a hardware shop as a touristy attraction, but Ross has sold me on them now. Cliff's was amazing.
So much weird and wonderful stuff. We could have shopped in there for a couple of hours but we needed to sit for a while and get a coffee and a little something for late lunch. Then we had to start heading back for our two scheduled appointments: 5:30 p.m., with the laundry lady, and 6:30 p.m., with the Apple Store Genius Bar.
We hopped back on the ancient F-Line electric tram and headed back down Market St. towards The Ferry Building, but, of course, as you would know now, we got out at Powell St. because the Powell St. cross street is closest to Taylor and our hotel. We walked up to the hotel, stopping at our closest and favorite Walgreens Pharmacy where we get water, and fruit and essential snacks and stuff for the hotel room. We dropped our gear and headed uphill on Taylor and over a few blocks to the laundry.
Nicely folded, but all in one piece so Ross and I had to sort it into our two piles when we got back to the room.
Then out , on a rush, to Market St again to the Apple Shop. Ross finally got to see the Genius, and the Genius, after a lengthy study, where I sat across the huge and crowded room and felt a little guilty reading my Kindle books on my Samsung Galaxy Note 3 phone amongst Apple Nation, the Genius decided, yes, indeed the battery of Ross's phone needed to be replaced and we could come back in 1 1/2 hours to get it back.
So we went to the Ferry Building on Embarcadero for dinner. Most places in the building were closing but we were able to procure seats at the bar of Hog Island Oysters Co. Restaurant. We both ordered Seafood Stew with Toasted Wholemeal Sourdough Bread. Very very yummy.
So good!
I had a beer that I have never had to go with, a Red Moylan, which was a draft and very good. Very complimentary to the seafood stew. Nice bartender acted as our waitress as well and did a good job.
Great place to eat, it was packed and lots of good music playing as well.
A fabulous selection of hot sauces in front of us along the bar but we didn't feel the need to use them, the seafood stew was perfect as is.
Then after the successful dinner, back to the Apple Genius Bar for another extended eBook reading while Ross claimed his phone back. No trouble, all fixed.
Then back to the hotel via Walgreens Pharmacy again. Walgreens is a good place to use the ATM, as they have a permanent security guy standing right next to it all the time. I started this blog but didn't have time to finish as it was rapidly approaching midnight. I saved it and have just now completed it (almost) at my Fave Starbucks on the corner of O'Farrell and Powell Sts.
We also booked Ross's plane trip from Bangor to Montreal. That's finally settled and he leaves , I think, on the Wednesday, 29th of July , gotta double check that. He will do Canada and meet up with me back in San Francisco. On my return I will be only in San Francisco overnight. Just a few hours really, staying at the SFO the airport.
Oh! Almost forgot, Ross reminded me to tell you about the movies the other night, which he still says was terrible; he has an enormous list of it's flaws, but enyways, a few seats away from us was a lady with a tiny dog that sat on her shoulder. We were worried but the dog didn't make a peep, through the loud, dinosaur attacking scenes and all.
We also got together with the Concierge of The Mark Twain and booked our shuttle bus for tomorrow (Wednesday, July 8th). It picks us up at 6:30 a.m., so that will be a rude shock for Ross, who, as everyone knows, is not a morning person!
P.S.
The Montreal flight is worse!, it leaves at 5:30 a.m. so we need to get up at or just before 4 a.m.!!!
That will be a physical challenge.
Bye for now,
Our last day in San Francisco is about to begin.
Ross and Lance.
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