We started today with modest ambitions – to visit Coit Tower and Ina Coolbrith Park – but before the day was even two-thirds done, we had traversed Japan, the Republic of Korea, China, and Italy. Not an easy task by foot. Who knew they were all in such close proximity, and all in San Francisco too? One led right directly into the other. To be completely honest, we’re not entirely certain of whether or not we crossed through the Republic of Korea. We did however pass a building that said it was related to the Republic of Korea, and so perhaps we just concluded that we were in Koreatown. And if so, well, the mistake is regrettable, but minor. We do apologize for any confusion.
The park was very nice and at the top of an excruciatingly steep hill, but the view was pretty good if you’re into that sort of thing. Coit Tower was lovely as well, and we had a marvelous view of the Golden Gate Bridge fading into the fog. We did not go inside as the cost of entry was $5 and we are currently cheapskates due to our desire for extended travel and our present lack of employment. We did look at the mural in the lobby briefly. On the walk down we discovered two things. First, there was a wild flock of parrots, five to be exact, living in a tree on the side of Nob Hill (on a related note, do you call a group of parrots a flock?). And second, a bird had at some point pooped on my shoe, but spared my head and only grazed my shorts.
We attempted lunch at an Italian place that coerced us to enter via unrelenting explanation of their menu. However, they were far too expensive for lunch, so after 15 minutes spent pouring over the menu, we left. Seriously, who pays $15 for lunch? Instead, we ate lunch at Buster’s, which was very good if you like Cheesesteaks, and only cost $15 total (more on that in our new food blog).
The rest of the day was spent braving the buses in preparation for Southeast Asia while attempting to avoid the look of tourists. We’ve decided we’re visitors no matter where we go, not tourists. The term “tourist” just smacks of bula shirts, Bermuda shorts, zinc-ed noses, and general rubbish behavior that we don’t aspire to, and downright hope to avoid all together. Besides, visiting is much more intimate.
We’ve got little more than 24 hours to go until our visit abroad officially begins. Yessss!

(This picture wasn’t actually taken during this visit to SF, but it is of the Golden Gate Bridge and we don’t as yet have any other pictures of the city.)