Kirsten and I made my first trip to the west coast this weekend. She used to live in the area, but it was all totally new to me. Met up with Garrett for Friday and Saturday. Activities included:
- Had a miserable traveling experience on Thursday, due mainly to snow in Chicago O'hare. Took a noonish flight out of White Plains, but due to a canceled flight and other taxi-related complications, didn't get to the hotel until around 6:30AM EST. Arriving at Hotel Avante in Mountain View almost made up for the trip, however--the place is fabulous. Incredibly friendly, helpful, and competent staff, and stylish Avant Garde decor. Highly recommended.
- Had dinner on Friday at the Elephant Bar in Cupertino.
- Took a scenic drive from Mountain View to Monterey Bay, Saturday morning. Drove past farms and redwoods.
- Toured the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and had lunch in Monterey.
- Took a quick trip from Monterey to Carmel for aimless wandering, shops, and art galleries. Saw a toy store with a monstrous motorized K'nex ferris wheel.
- Drove to San Francisco on Sunday.
- Drank some barley wine at Toronado's Barley Wine Festival. Seemed like my kind of bar (excellent beer selection, didn't feel like I would get in a fight).
- Walked down Haight Street, only to realize after the fact that this was where San Franciscans buy their drugs. Guess this explains all the bong shops and "horticulture" shops.
- Wandered through Chinatown, in search of food, and stumbled upon a free tea tasting with a lively old Chinese man who called himself "Uncle G." His playful trash-talking manner reminded me of the sushi guy from Orgazmo, although he looked more like the teacher from Battle Royale. Drank lots of tea, and chatted with the staff and the other patrons. Admired the Communist artwork in the back of the store. Bought some tea.
- Had dinner (rabbit, baby back ribs, and fondue) and dessert (garlic ice cream) at The Stinking Rose. Drank a large frosty glass of beer called "Anchor Steam". Discovered empirically that eating entire cloves of garlic isn't good for my IBS. It tasted good going in, at least.
- Bought a couple books for Kirsten at a moderately famous beatnik bookstore. The entire upper level was devoted to the Beats. Shelves of Kerouac and Ginsberg.
I'm lacking the energy for much more than an outline. Apologies...hopefully I'll have time to write up something more detailed, later. Or if you're lucky, I won't. Will try to post some pictures, at least.
