San Francisco Day 1

I had to swap the car today so off down to the Airport to swap it over. I dropped off the Pontiac (on which the Central Locking doesn't work) and picked up a Ford Focus (on which it does!) I also found out I didn't need to fill the tank and should have brought it back empty (I hadn't grr) but I think I got a refund for the fuel I'd put in. So I must remember to take this one back with an empty tank. Back to the hostel to drop of the car – Free parking included (I bet you cant get bed and breakfast any where else in the city with free wifi, parking, and parkland location for about $27/night) Out on the street I walked down to the end of one of the Cable Car lines and got a 3 day ticket for the local transport network. I then jumped on the next Cable car an road it up to Lombard Street. This is the Crooked Street that is often shown in films with cars zig zaging down the steep road between the neatly trimmed hedges. I stopped off for a Coffee then took another cable car line up and over Nob Hill and down to the end of the line at Powell Station. From here I walked a couple of blocks to try and find a sandwich shop which was listed in the Lonely Planet as being the best in town. The thing it failed to mention was you have to walk through a fairly salubrious part of the town to get to it. It was right though it was small and you did have to queue for the sandwich but it was damn good; Vietnamese Pork Ball with salad. I walked back to Union Square (trying to look as local as possible!) and then up to Chinatown and followed the walking tour in the Lonley Planet, whilst these are really good and useful, I hate walking round with a 'house-brick' sized tourist guide in my hand. (I must try and get a copy of the relevant pages next time) The walk was good though an took in many sights you just don't see or notice walking down the main drags, including a park where a brothel once stood?!?, The shop that makes fortune cookies (as featured in Karate Kid et. al.!) The Book-store made famous by/for, the beat poets of the 60's (I don't remember them either!). I was only halfway along the route but already it was 4pm and there was a sign on a door way 'Happy Hour - $2 beers', The tour can wait. I just had to try the Black Butte Porter which was very rich and had a chocolate hint to it. Also the Old #38 Stout was heavy with barley and had a coffee finish. Finally back to the hostel for some tea, typing,and bed.

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