San Francisco, CA

Another early start today, well, out of the hotel by 7am, if that counts as early. Perry had read on tripadvisor that, when going ton avatars, it’s best to be on the first boat if possible. Each boat can hold up to 600 tourists, and after a few boards arrive you can imagine things might get bit hectic. So, on to the F-Line streetcar once again which took us right down to Pier 33 from where we departed. It’s only abut a ten minute trip, as Alcatraz itself is only a mile and a half off the San Francisco coast. It’s an interesting place – former prison of course, but also a former point of occupation for the American Indians, who took over Alcatraz from 1969-1971, an event seen as a bit of a turning point for making more aware of the plight of the American Indian population. Apparently to get to the cell house at the top of island is equivalent to a 13 storey climb. Fortunately do to gentle slopes and plenty of places to stop and take pictures, it didn’t feel like that at all. There was long audio tour of the cellhouse itself, where everyone wandered around with headphones on being directed here and there – it was interesting to hear about the history, the conditions, and hearing how it all unfolded while standing I front of the very cells where prisoners were kept really helped give you a sense of what it mus have been like. Th exercise yard must have been doubly grim – not only was it freezing as the bitter winds swirled around, you could also see all of San Francisco laid out in from of you just a mile and a half away – a constant reminder to prisoners of what they were missing out on. And how do you escape from Alcatraz? Easy, just pop back on the boats that sails back to San Francisco every thirty minutes. We did just that, and headed back to the Pier 39 tourist Mecca for a bite to eat,and to spend more time watching the sea lions. I’m sure all the territorial squabbling is a big deal and serious business for them, but for us tourists, it’s and endless source of entertainment. Fortunately the restaurant we chose for lunch had views of the seals from where we were sitting – it really was a case of dinner and a show 🙂 After lunch a light rain had started to fall, so back on one of beautiful old streetcars of the F-Line, and back to the Inn. I didn’t previously know how close we were to the F-Line, and how close the F-Line is to everything in San Francisco – we couldn’t have chosen a better place if we tried. It also makes me think Sydney will have a lot to gain as the light rail system expands. It’s Memorial Day here in the US – a similar idea to Anzac Day at home, but treated in a very different way. It’s much more celebratory which seems a little strange – it’s tradition to have a big BBQ with friends, and all the shops are advertising big Memorial Day sales, and stay open for extended hours. Very different to the more sombre, reflective approach we have for Anzac Day. This afternoon was a great,opportunity to and fulfil a photo challenge – thanks Mum, hope you liked the pictures of houses. It made me realise just how much diversity there is in this neighbourhood, so many different styles of house just in the surrounding two or three streets. Cold damp weather demands hearty Italian food and crazy waiters, so we returned to The Sausage Factory for both of the above, and weren’t disappointed on either front. Alas, the creme brûlée trucks has moved on to other pastures, but luckily Hot Cookie is still nearby – a tiny little shop that sells delicious bickies and is always busy. And has a wall full of little photos of of customers posing in nothing but Hot Cookie undies, because… well who knows, and welcome to Castro! We are going on a tour tomorrow, so off to bed now to be for another early start. Goodnight!