San Francisco comments

Yea, I know that my San Fran pics are posted farther down on the page but, I'm trying to get caught up on my posts before I go on my next trip in a couple days.

A couple notable restaurants that will definitely be on my return list:

• la Mediterranee-Aaaaaaaaaaah! This was divine. In fact, you'll see a pic of our table full of food in the below San Fran slideshow. When I lived in Jerusalem, I went to this Morrocan restaurant that had an incredible dish called Pastilla Fassia (Phyllo pastry stuffed with cornish hen and almonds decorated with powdered sugar and cinnamon). I've craved it ever since with no real luck. St. Louis doesn't have any Morrocan restaurants. BUT...this restaurant had a dish very similar that rocked the house. We also had dolmas, hummus, baba ghanoush, tabuleh, pomegranate wings, and some other Mediterranean food....YUM!
• Java Restaurant-is a great Indonesian restaurant on Clement St. I highly recommend going to Clement St. if you want an authentic experience. I didn't even bother going to Chinatown. I would say Clement St. is somewhat like Devon St. was in Chicago...where the locals go when they want authentic food but, Clement St. was not nearly as packed with restaurants and shops like Devon St. in Chicago.
• Also had some great Bubble Tea on Clement St...my fav is always the Taro Milk.

As to activities, let's see...

• Of course, we had to do the Golden Gate Bridge. It was a perfectly clear day when we went which was a God-send since the very next day was overcast.
• Fisherman's Wharf...had some good ol' clam chowder in a bread bowl and had my pic taken with a sourdough bread alligator (see slideshow below)
• We also watched the fireworks at the Wharf since we were there on the 4th of July. Froze our backsides off there on the Bay. Amazingly enough, some idiots decided to swim out in the Bay with just their swimming trunks on in 40-50 degree weather (can't imagine the water temp but, the Pacific is supposed to be cold) DURING the fireworks. Folks, you can't teach stupid.
• Alcatraz was a must-see for me so, I took off to go there for an afternoon while Chy went to Chinatown. In case anyone is wondering, my cell phone worked on the Rock! Go T-Mobile!!!
• We went to see Lombard St. (supposedly the crookedest street in San Fran...it technically is not...I forget the name of the street that gets that honor)...see the slideshow for the pic
• Did a ride on the infamous streetcars...it's kinda crazy when you are at the top of the hill and the guy is switching gears for the car to head down the hill. Made me wonder how they train the car operators to do their job...I mean really...quality control?? One mistake at the gears and everyone's a goner.
• We did some thrift shopping...hmm...the part of the city is slipping from me...but, saw some great vintage clothing. Unfortunately, I'm no longer a size 2 and didn't purchase any of the clothes. People think models today are too thin...I think the general population from the 1950's-70's had to be anorexic. Those of us in size 8 or 10 must have been considered Plus Sizes.
• OH! How could I forget?? I was thoroughly impressed to find a chocolatier at the Wharf that made chocolate covered potato chips. Amazingly enough my extremely cultured buddy, Chy, had never experienced this delicacy until that point. Seriously, it is considered a high end product...hard to find and not cheap...but oh, so good...sweet and salty...mmmmm!
• We headed back to the Sacramento area for the weekend (I flew into San Fran and out of Sacramento) and we went to the lake. I kayaked for the first time...I instantly fell in love with it. I'm really not an athletic, outdoorsy girl but, that was a blast. Chy took me to her fav Thai restaurant in her hometown before I left...very good!

All in all...San Fran is definitely one sweet city to visit.

Chicago continued...

Okay, so a month or so later is better than never. Notice I managed to get the food portion of my trip up much quicker? Let's see most of my time in Chicago was spent couped up in a training class but, managed to do some fun things on the weekend. Chy and I went to catch an outdoor concert at Lincoln Park, walked around Navy Pier and saw their fireworks (I think they do it twice weekly). Also, went to the Museum of Science and Industry which was great...we did the CSI special exhibit while we were there.

The hostel (http://www.arlingtonhouse.com/) we stayed at was a renovated nursing home north of the the city. It was decent...but, definitely not as nice as some hostels I've stayed at. (Of course, keep in mind I had just spent the week in one of Chicago's finer hotels (http://www.burnhamhotel.com/) during my business trip so, the polar extremes shocked my system, I do believe.) It was tight quarters in the elevator, definitely not for the claustrophobic and seeing that we were on the 4th or 5th floor, dragging our bags up multiple flights of stairs didn't seem the better option.

One night when we came in there were some people in the lounge that offered for us to join their small party. Chy kindly informed them that we were not the drinkin kind. Next morning, when Chy headed first to the ladies shared showers, she was greeted by the not so pleasant aroma of...well...let's just say the drinkin kind got to enjoy their liquor one more time from the opposite direction. Alas, our showers were taken on a different floor that morning. =)

Hotel Burnham on the other hand (right on the corner of State Street...Nordstrom Rack immediately next door, Filene's Basement across the street...) wow, a traveler of my type really shouldn't stay at hotels like this...it is likely to spoil you forever. I'm used to bare essential lodging so, when I come in from a night out on the town with my room curtains closed, lights dimmed, music (which I did not turn on when I left the room) playing softly...Well, it scared the snot out of me. Who was in my room?????? When I mustered up enough courage to make my legs work I also noticed my bedding was all turned back, in addition to chocolate and the TV remote control on my pillow. OOOOoooooooh yea, I've read about hotels like this...this must be how the other half live!

Chy really wanted to see the Broadway show Wicked so, she nabbed some great tickets...we were like on the 10th row I think?? I must say I was somewhat skeptical of the show going into it but, ultimately thought it was a great production (singing, costumes, storyline) with only a couple things that I had issue with in the storyline. I'm glad I got to see it though.

Oh, I guess I did forget to mention one restaurant we went to...the Samba Sushi...somewhat close to Greektown. It was a fusion of Brazilian and Japanese food. We just had to try it because it sounded so unique. Chy got a sushi plate and I got this Brazilian seafood gumbo type dish. One great reason why Chy and I make great travel buddies is that we know what the traveling is all about...FOOD! We have this agreement to always get different items and split with each other to get the full effect of the places we eat at. I need to get paid to be a food critic or something.

Chicago food

It is amazing how quickly you forget things that you thought would stick with you. Talking with Chylene (my backpacking buddy) we were trying to remember some of the great restaurants we've been to in the last couple months of travel...thus, while they are still fresh in my head I gotta log them for future reference.



When in Chicago you must go to:

• Devon Street (north of downtown) is a very multi-cultural neighborhood. If I hadn't known any better I would have thought someone dropped me off in the Middle East again. The area is primarily Indian and Pakistani. Chy and I were in a rush so we barely touched the surface of what the street had on it. I did get a couple of beautiful saris (Indian outer garment/dress) for $50 (that's the total for two, folks!).
• Also, on Devon Street...we tried an EXCELLENT new Indian restaurant Uru-Swati. Definitely will be back there when I'm in Chicago. It appeared to be their grand opening when we were there.
• Garrett Popcorn is a staple in Chicago. I had the mix (cheese corn and caramel crisp popcorn). It amazed me how yummy and fresh the popcorn was even a couple of days later. If you're wondering why I had leftovers (as that is a rarity for me), they give you a big bag.
• I had Thai at Siam Rice on North Wells St. It was average...I highly doubt it is the best in Chicagoland.
• Greek food...The Parthenon in Greektown...ICK!!!!!!! I love Greek food but, this restaurant literally made me forego Greek food for months afterwards. The service was awful on top of it. I will say that their saganaki appetizer was superb but, after that it was all downhill.
• We also ate at a Georgian (as in Russian, not USA) mom and pop restaurant, I think off of Fillmore St. It was good...had borscht for the first time. Georgian food was nice for a change but, I can think of other ethnic foods that hit my top 5.

Posting Frequency

So...like my profile said...this blog is not for spilling out my life story. That being said, I will only be posting during and after any traveling. This year my traveling has been solely in the States. I spent a week in June in Chicago and then a week in July in San Francisco. I didn't really take any pics of Chicago but, might post some things at a later date about cool places to check out if you are heading there. I've posted my San Francisco pics below and will try to post some items of interest on it as well. Seeing that I won't be hitting the road again until September that gives me some time to catch up. =) Looks like this is what's ahead:

• a week in Montana in October
• a week in Washington state in October
• a week in Texas in October
• a week in Boston in November

It is highly likely that I will add a couple of other destinations to those before the end of the year as well. I'll have a week of vacation to use before January 1st so, you know I can't waste it at home!