Back From San Fran Vacation

We got back Monday morning after taking the red eye Sunday night. Wow it was fun! My oldest son went all out to make sure Raiden and I had the best time possible.

The weather was warm, sunny and pleasant, except for two days of heavy rain. We went to Cirque du Soleil, the performers and effects were incredible, I can’t even describe it you have to see it to believe it. Friday, we went for a long walk along the ocean, it was such a nice day there was a family who were in bathing suits in the water! lots of shirtless guys running (!), one guy fishing, in late November yet, collected some beautiful shells that were brown and blue (the colour of my bedroom) I’m going to get a nice shadow box to mount them in and hang them.

My son Jon took us to some authentic neighbourhood Thai and Mexican and Korean restaurants. We also went shopping at Union Square, heart of downtown. We did not go to Castro Street, gay village, did not have time. We also walked the Golden Gate bridge, the scenery from it is also amazing. (yeah I sound like the typical tourist!)

We toured the wineries of Napa Valley on another beautiful day, my favourite was the champagne one called Chandon, felt like a bit of a rock star standing at the bar in the beautiful surroundings drinking champagne with the beautiful people.

I know my son’s credit card bill will go through the roof this month, but he said don’t worry about it, it’s your first visit here in seven years. He also bought us a bunch of clothes, drugstore stuff that costs way more in Canada, two huge bottles of vodka to bring home that costs over four times more here! (we have the crap taxed out of us)

Also , saving best for last, my son and I went to see Wire, my absolute favourite band, on Monday the 18th. I did mention a few months back, that I saw them in July, the first time I had gone out on my own in years and afterwards went back stage to talk to them with another person. Well, I ran into two of them preshow, and they both remembered me and talking to me, I was floored. They are wrapping up their world tour and meet scads of people constantly. They have a solid substantial fan base but are about as non mainstream as it gets, their sound is not for everyone, so most people have never heard of them, but they have been together for 35 years and have a huge body of work. Glad I got to see them again this year because it will be a few years before they are back.

Pictures, yes, I will post some today, and Jon has a bunch he promised to forward later today. I gained about 3 pounds during our stay there, not surprising given all the restaurant outings, plus Jon’s girlfriend’s family stuffed us with all this yummy Phillipino food every three hours, wouldn’t take no for an answer, a lot more drinking than usual. Not worried, I can lose it in a week or two.

I can see why my son wants to stay there, the scenery and city and weather in San Fran are beautiful, I should ask my doctor to recommend I move there for health reasons (the cold in Canada affects my arthritis) so I can keep my disability pension. It might be worth a shot. Nothing much keeping me here. All in all an amazing and much needed time away