First of all I'd like to say aside from SF, I always meet the most interesting people on plane rides. Granted the planes rides are usually 3 hours or more. Maybe it's because someone doesn't want to sit next to another person for that long without having made any convo? Ironically enough though, most people I talk to do not share these same experiences I usually have. It would be one thing if I was the initiator also, haha, but I'm not usually. I love it though, maybe people can sense that.
On my ride from Chicago to SF I met Frankie. He was on his way back to Hawaii, he is currently stationed there. An interesting fellow Frankie was, to say the least. He is originally from Boston and had a bit of an accent, but he thought I had a southern flare as well. I think part of the reason we talked so much is because we liked the sound of each other's voices more than our actual words. :) After my couple bloody mary's and his jack & cokes we got pretty deep about wanting to survive without all of our modern technology. Sure, we were talking about not caring if the plane crashed because we could survive... haha. I looooooooved Frankie's tatoo, which can be seen here:
He had an incredible story behind it too. Anyway, he and I talked for hours, grabbed some dinner at the airport, and he told me about his secret marriage that had just occured the previous day. So sweet! I can't wait to catch up with him and find out more about his daily hiking trips back in Honolulu.
So my experiences in SF, I'll try to sum up here: taking the BART, being picked up by a friend of a friend's (who was an amazing liberal sweet girl named Serena), hanging out at a crazy German bar in the Mission, sitting on the corner of Valencia & 18th in the Mission people watching, eating in a yummy Taqueria, eating breakfast at Tartine's (which was phenomenal!!!!), attending the annual gay Jesus hunk fest in Dolores Park (one of the best experiences ever!)*, eating delicious Thai food, exploring the Golden Gate Bridge, seeing MILK at The Castro**, so so so much eating and shopping, exploring and shopping down Haight St, staying in Haight, walking miles and miles throughout SF, Lombard St, the Victorian houses, having a passionate debate about the economy with a homeless man, The WAVVES show at Bottom of The Hill, eating Sushi at Domo (the owner was sweet and bought us a few shots of my fav Nigori Sake), people smoking weed and drinking clearly in the public almost everywhere, eating amazing Italian at Mario's, Sacred Grounds coffee house (best Caramel Machiato's I've ever tasted and their food was on point too), finally visiting The Red Victorian although the food was nothing to brag about (the idea of the place is amazing though), visiting MOMA and seeing the brilliant William Kentridge's work, late night rides on the buses, IN-N-OUT BURGER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, Fisherman's Wharf (a bit too touristy for me but still should be experienced), Golden Gate Park- Hippie Hill, Ramsi's bath tub, HELD OVER VINTAGE STORE (best vintage & their music playlist was great)!!!!!, overall it was almost too much for me how amazingly beautiful the city was. I love the landscape! So many incredible views throughout the city... Even though a lot of it is city-esque, there is still a lot of greenery, amazing trees and plants. I will definitely live there at some point. No doubt in my mind.
*The Annual gay hunk Jesus contest in Dolores Park was such an eye-opener for me. I've been raised to think liberally and open-minded about sexual orientation (thanks to my Mom). To see the vastly different views from SF to conservative VB was shocking for me. Of course I've heard it, but to see it was a completely different experience. I'm so thankful I was able to witness it. Personally, I loved how liberal and relaxed SF is. All I could think about in the park that day was how amazing it was that so many families were there with their little kids. To be a child raised in an environment like that would be really special. Most of my friends were like, "Yea I love it here, but I wouldn't raise a family here." All I could think was completely the opposite.
SF reminded me a lot of NY, but with a much more relaxed attitude and better weather. If I get into Grad school in NY, I will be happy with that, but I know I'll make my way out to SF to live sooner or later.
**Seeing MILK at The Castro was unbelievable. Being right there in all of that history that took place was so moving. I BALLED my eyes out in that movie. I usually tear up at sad stuff, but this one I was almost hyperventilating. I love watching passionate people with good hearts trying to change the world. It was a shame what happened to Mr. Harvey Milk, but he was such a noble man and did wonders! I recommend seeing the movie regardless, but I'm so grateful I was able to see it where I did. Sean Penn was awesome, the whole cast was great. The movie just made my crush on Sean Penn grow exponentially. :)
Overall I had a remarkable time. I can't wait to go back!
On my journey from SF to Chicago, I met a man named Cesar. He upgraded my seat to first class, which was very nice and very random. I have the feeling he's done that quite a few times. :)
We go on to the plane, get comfortable, and start talking more. This was the first time that I sat "first class" and I've always been curious about the differences ever since Jerry Seinfeld's piece on that. haha. Basically, you have an attendant bugging you more and you have more leg room (which was actually a nice plus for my stems). He was curious about the camera around my neck and asked to look at my pics. Note, this is a very personal question to ask a stranger. It's like sharing a diary in a way. I knew I didn't have anything too inappropriate on there so I let him browse my pics. He showed me his fantastic point & shoot Canon. So we swapped cameras and looked at glimpses of each other's life. He bought me coffee when we got to Chicago. He was on his way back home to Indiana. Cesar.. Short, filipino, smart, funny, quite bold, and uhhh 40 haha. He gave me his info and told me he hoped that I contacted him. I can only imagine the number of girls he does that very same thing to.
That was such a bizarre situation I sort of feel like I was set up. haha. Like okay which one of my friends is messing with me?
Life is ummmm? Something. The reason I shared all of that is because I meet such amazing, different people all of the time. For some reason, for me, it often happens on plane rides.
It's all a part of the experience. I <3 SF! :)
Now it's time to work on pics.
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