Day three and i’m in a bit of a panic about where the hell i’m staying in Chicago.. I haven’t booked anything – and it seems everything is booked up. Anyway – it’ll work out.
Following my last post, last night I went to Jazz at Pearls and had a great time – fantastic band and fun show – though we had to queue outside for the 10pm session and I was standing behind about 8 couples from Stanford? Stamford? University – about to graduate. It was like something out of a movie.. inane conversation in a very ‘full on’ American accent.. all out to get as blotto as possible. I was praying I didn’t sit next to them – however they were actually very well behaved in the show. It always amazes me in this country, how open to jazz Americans of all ages are – you certainly wouldn’t see a bunch of Aussie bogans going off to The Paris Cat for a night out and then sitting there attentively!!
The show finished at about midnight – and I staggered (due to the 2 drink minimum) out of the door into the middle of the San Franciscan red light district and slap bang into a fabulous shoe shop. Where I was told in no uncertain terms by the proprietor that I was most likely to get mugged on the walk back to the hostel at that time of night. So I should get a cab or bus. He even looked up the next bus times for me.
I set off to the bus stop – which seemed to mean I had to walk past even more red neon flashing tittie bars – and gave up. I have a bus phobia at the best of times. So I decided to catch a cab – and then short of running out into the middle of the street to stop one of the blighters – I couldn’t get one. So I decided to take my chances with the muggers.
Nobody paid me the slightest bit of attention really – though I can assure you if they had there was nobody around to hear me screaming. Made it back to the hostel -but on the last corner I walked past 2 couples, and one gentleman said “why are you walking alone!?” I replied that I didn’t have anyone to walk with… and he then advised that it was incredibly dangerous to walk alone in San Fran – i’m like… it’s fine.
The other couple left, and I was then embroiled in an impromptu rendition of My Girl, sung by some black dude with no teeth – and then a proposition from the couple as they were swingers and the other couple had refused to go home with them. I was even shown nude pictures of the woman on the guys blackberry just to entice me. I quietly and respectfully declined the kind offer – even when he threw in a sleep in a comfortable king size bed and a cooked breakfast in the morning.
Failing in their seduction, they invited me to an 8am Methodist church service on Sunday, with (apparently) the best gospel choir in San Francisco. I just may go – but will eschew any comestibles incase the crazy swingers drug me with rohypnol and take me to their lair… *shudder*
So even though I managed to walk through dodgy streets in the dead of night with no mugging.. I was accosted 3 metres from my hostel door by a couple of swingers. Quite impressive really.
Jules the lovely Canadian has checked out today and we have a Brooklyn girl in our room who seems really bright and friendly. I have no plans today apart from working out what the hell i’m doing in Chicago.. and an alternative plan if that all fails miserably (might fit Chicago in on way back through in August if can’t go there now).. there only seems to be about 4 hostels there for some reason.. bloody weird. I also may fit in a session of the Sex and the City movie.. just because.
Categories: Uncategorized
First Post… here from San Francisco. Its a great town but holy CRAP the hills are steep. I walked about 8 blocks today at an average angle of 50 degrees. How the hell people are brave enough to drive up and down in their cars I have no idea. And how the hell are San Franciscans fatter than New Yorkers when the walking is this extreme? I suppose it’s because a) there are heaps of fat tourists here and b) the walking is SO full on that people think its better to drive their cars. Makes sense.
Anyway i’m happily esconced on a rather faded and torn black leather couch in the lobby of the hostel i’m in – using their free wireless and wasting some time before rugging up to explore the city streets tonight. Went out last night for a quick drink and pizza slice and bloody froze my extremities off. VERY cold here at night. But pleasant during the day.. Hell of a lot better than Melbourne. Am trying to keep my trap closed and avoid other Aussies like the plague.. plenty around the hostel.. Though have met a lot of Americans and a rather large amount of Irish gals. The staff consist of the ubiquitous south american / spanish speaking long legged big haired be-spectacled women who listen to the Beatles and doll out street maps, directions, towels and hairdryers… whilst beating off the testosterone sperm machines who are all beer and beef trying to get as drunk as possible and lay as many women as possible. None have approached me.. I think its because i’m typing quickly and looking nerdy.
Or perhaps it’s because I am obviously incredibly fat and unfit.. I have evidence to support this theory as I did get approached by a rather buff and tall man in gym gear (think crew cut and white teeth) with a free gym pass for 1 week. I’m like – you’re game buddy! He said .. why? I said – are you saying i’m fat!? You just came up to a woman with a free gym membership. What the hell!?! … regardless i took it (as I thought I obviously need it if he thought it was appropriate) and dolled it out to Tani the Norwegian girl thats in my dorm.
Speaking of Norwegians there are 2 in my dorm.. and they are quite delightful. On a mission from Norway to make a documentary on Frederick Twinklebottom (insert name here.. I’ve forgotten the real name) from the 1930’s who was a seaman from Norway who fought for the seamans rights and changed history. They get up at 6am and work all day. I’m impressed.
The other girl in my dorm is called Jules and she is VERY impressive. A waitress from Vancouver with extraordinarily blonde hair – and who has been backpacking for almost 2 years. TWO YEARS! She had a trip a few years ago, to Australia – and liked it so much went home – worked her ass off for 12 months and shot through. I AM VERY IMPRESSED! Though she gets back to Vancouver, her cat, her family her apartment and her parents on Sunday and is in for a bit of a culture shock I reckon. So brave to just go like that. She has some great stories about why one shouldn’t get involved with the Greyhound bus system across America (Ben you are right.. no bus for me) and the police corruption and rabid dogs in Mexico.
Today I went down to Fishermans Wharf and wandered around. Saw a fabulous steel drum trio who were great until a great gust of wind blew half their belongings under a tram (trolley). Slightly exciting.. though one out of three kept playing. I got accosted by some dodgy bastard wearing a shiny suit an dealing cards.. He tried to keep me there – obviously to extort some money out of me – so I grabbed at my crotch, and muttered something about needing to find the nearest loo IMMEDIATELY and ran away. Was the best thing i could think of at the time. Seemed to work like a charm.
I once saw an interview with a fabulous English actress – can’t remember who – that said whenever a man was looking at her in a lecherous fashion.. whether it was on a train, or whilst she was in the car, she would look over at him with a come hither sparkle in her eye, and pick her nose. Again. Apparently also works like a charm. I will try this if the LA Sperminators come near me with their Bud-Light breath.
Signing off for now. More later.
Categories: San Francisco
