The one with the lists of things to do and see, who ticks off each item as it is “done” and then rushes to the next attraction without stopping to savour the sights, sounds and smells.
Alcatraz.
Tick. Done.
Chinatown.
Tick. Done.
Ghirardelli Square.
Tick. Done. Yum.
Cable Cars.
Tick. Done. Many, many times.
Pier 39.
Tick. Done.
SFMOMA.
Tick. Done.
Given how little time we really do have here in San Francisco, I’ll live with it. I don’t have time to be the sort of traveller I’d like to be, not in four days, not when there is an entire city to be discovered, not when new wonders reveal themselves around every corner.
Like the exhibition at the SFMOMA the references to which I had somehow missed during the research phase of this holiday.
…the view as we disembarked from the cable car and made our way to Chinatown.
…the splashes of colour on an otherwise grey rock.
…the moments of serenity in an otherwise bustling city.
And then, of course, there is the utterly familiar which, despite its familiarity managed to take my breath away.
Today is our last day here and there is still so much we haven’t seen and enjoyed. I could be regretting that we have been a little ambitious with our plans for this three weeks. I could be furiously rearranging the remainder of our time on this side of the big pond so we could spend more time here.
But I’m not.
Because I know I’ll be back.
You always come back to the ones that you love.
Beautiful photos, Kerryn! Looks like you had gorgeous weather, too. Earlier in the summer probably would have been quite foggy.
I never had much fun at Ghirardelli Square…I think we never got any chocolate! But I do love Chinatown. I don’t think we ever made it to SFMOMA either, but the Asian Art Museum is wonderful, as is the DeYoung. And City Lights bookstore, and Maiden Lane, and the zoo, and…and I should have recommended all this to you a long time ago!!
I’ll always have a soft spot for San Francisco. It was the first place I went to as a young adult, without parents, but rather with friends. And, of course, it was where I saw my first real, live transvestite
Thanks Kristine.
Ah, the weather. I was hoping for a little less perfect — from mid to high 50F in Melbourne to high 80s (and higher, I suspect) has been a bit of a shock to the system. And I’m a little sunburnt.
Ghirardelli Square struck me as a little boring but the ice cream was delicious (haven’t had the chocolate). We walked through there again today and it was packed due to the Chocolate Festival being on. We didn’t stick around…
SFMOMA was fabulous — not only was there a Frida Kahlo exhibition on but also a Lee Miller (photographer) exhibition. Double bonus. And their permanent collection is fabulous as well. Went to the Asian Art Museum today for the Ming Dynasty exhibition and bailed on the rest half way through as my feet are blistered and I’m a big sook. City Lights is on the itinerary for our return in two weeks (we’ve got a full day here at the end), as is Lombard Street (for the photo op, of course). And I’d love to make it back to the Mission District for the murals.
It’s scary how easy it is to fall for this city. I love it — the pace, the people, the scenery, the food, all of it. I will definitely be coming back.
Good to see that travel has inspired you to blog again. Enjoy all of your trip.
Stunning photos, Kerryn! You’ve made me homesick for the U.S.