San Fran – Day 2 and 3

Im currently on the train to Sacramento. I was feeling kinda down a little while ago not exactly down, but not really excited about the trip. Then all the sudden Danko Joness First Date came onto my MP3 Player, and I felt good. Its the first time Ive heard the song this trip, and it is pretty amazing.

Yesterday was fun times. I met Mike (Curts) and his girlfriend Shirley at Union Square and we grabbed some lunch. It was a certain kind of Chinese restaurant that I cant quite remember the name. It was family style and had a resemblance to the meals we ate in China. So it was kind of fun. We sat and talked for the longest time about pretty much everything. Mike has been in Cali since last January and Shirley moved toCali early in her childhood from Hong Kong. Eventually we decided to walk up toChinatown to get some orange-custard things that Shirley swore were the most amazing things in the world. And she was basically right. Overall the afternoon was pretty awesome.

When I got back I realized my two English friends had moved out of my room. And it was somewhat awkward when two new people came into the room and began making their beds. Then I realized that Emma had been bitten multiple times the night before and had asked to move. There arent really any mosquitoes in San Francisco. So 2 + 2 equals bed bugs. Anyway, I met up with Emma and Matt and we went up to the North Beach for some outage. They discovered my randomness of finding a bar, and I discovered that they are pretty indecisive people themselves, which is why we were all friends. But like all my indecisive friends, its almost impossible to make any kind of decisions. We could have wondered aimlessly around the area for hours if something didnt happen. This actually happened to Andrea, Kara, and I several times in London. (I think Kara hates us because of that fact). Matt finally found a bar with outdoor seating, of which we sat there for a few hours talking about life in America and England. They are basically from the far north of England, in New Castle. I didnt put it together myself, but its the center for New Castle Beer. Which is great beer. Anyway, we left after several beers and found a Mexican restaurant to get a burrito. I suggested they eat some Mexican food other then Taco Bell. They werent exactly impressed with Taco Bell. Anyway, after I remembered my tab was still open at the other bar, I went and closed the tab and then we left for the restaurant for the hostel and bed.

I got up fairly early this morning and headed for Sacramento. I reach a point where I just want to leave because hanging around just makes me depressed that I have to leave soon. So I caught the BART to Oakland where I wondered around Jack London Square before catching the train to Sacramento. Apparently Amtrak actually runs on time in California. Who knew? Thats the craziest thing Ive heard.

Im debating what I will think of Sacramento. First of all, I love San Francisco. It has great activity with good public space, neighborhoods, and transit. Sacramento wont be near this amazing, Im guessing. However, it has to be cool. Plus Im nervous about this interview stuff. Supposedly I have a written test after my interview with a three person panel. Ive been reading up on California planning because it has to be completely different then Indiana. At the same time, I have two school assignments that I have to complete by Wednesday. Blah. I have a hotel a little ways out of the central-city, but its still walking distance.

Were approaching Davis, CA which means were close to Sacramento. So I will commence this writing.

A few minutes after writing the my post yesterday I went and made reservation for the tonight. I then wondered aimlessly around the city before stopping by Quiznos of all places to grab a bite to eat. I then sat in the hostel before heading to bed. I was really tired. I guess a 3:30 wake up call and a four hour flight wipes you out. So I went to my room and two of my roommates were there. They were from northern England, and we had a small discussion. I then went to bed when our three other roommates came into the room. I didnt talk much, but since they just got in from England one of them was up at 5:00 that morning when I went to the bathroom. Their actually from London, and I had a better conversation with them the next morning during breakfast.

Today I am wondering around the North Beach. I walked up the Embarcadero and found this awesome fountain that rivals anything I found in Portland, I climbed around the thing for a while before heading to a coffee shop for coffee. Not sure where I am headed off to now, but I will probably go to the hostel and wait for Mike to call so we can get coffee, of all things.

This trip seems to be a good precursor to my trips to Boston and later Europe. It makes me fricken excited. It also makes me scares because I have to finish school and get a job sooner or later. Sucks. Until then, may my travels commence.

San Fran – Day 1

Today started out as a series of unfortunate events. You see, my weekend is scheduled very tightly. I had an interview at 4:30 and my flight arrived in San Franciscoat 10:00pm. So, when I found out the flight was cancelled at 4:00 this morning while trying to get my ticket, I was pretty pissed. I was more pissed that United barley has enough people to help the five families with ten kids going to Florida, let alone help me with my lone problem. I sat at the automatic check-in (the only option) and waited for someone to help me. Fortunately they had a lady that was wondering from terminal to terminal that was helpful in pressing buttons. But beyond that, she was on no help. So I had to wait for one of the incompetent people behind the counter. The lady that was suppose to help me had to leave fifteen minutes after ticketing opened. It seemed helpful to have her back there. After she left, there were two people to help. The guy that helped me was very nice. I mean, he couldnt do anything personally, and I understand that. But he could be nice. I finally encountered a nice lady at the terminal who helped me go through other options then flying into San Francisco. We both determined I could get toSan Jose in plenty of time to get in San Francisco, and the lady was ready to call her daughter to figure out how to get from the airport to San Francisco. Fortunately, I was high on the standby list and I got on the 8:00 flight to San Francisco. I thought this was lucky because there were tons of people from the 7:00 flight waiting for the 8:00 flight.

After I got to San Francisco, I wasnt in the mood to be in a good mood. But after I checked into my hostel and wandered the city a little I was in a great mood. I had a walking tour with the neighborhood I was interviewing at 3:00, which went well. It put me in a great mood. The office was full of young people that seemed like it would be fun to work. The only problem was with the position I was applying. It seems that they were more centered on financial planning then on community development.

So I really want to go out and drink tonight. The hostel Im at is social enough, but Im not social tonight.

Dunno if Im staying at this hostel or even in San Francisco tomorrow. Ill decide tomorrow. Might move to a different area of the city.

San Fran – Day 1

Today started out as a series of unfortunate events. You see, my weekend is scheduled very tightly. I had an interview at 4:30 and my flight arrived in San Franciscoat 10:00pm. So, when I found out the flight was cancelled at 4:00 this morning while trying to get my ticket, I was pretty pissed. I was more pissed that United barley has enough people to help the five families with ten kids going to Florida, let alone help me with my lone problem. I sat at the automatic check-in (the only option) and waited for someone to help me. Fortunately they had a lady that was wondering from terminal to terminal that was helpful in pressing buttons. But beyond that, she was on no help. So I had to wait for one of the incompetent people behind the counter. The lady that was suppose to help me had to leave fifteen minutes after ticketing opened. It seemed helpful to have her back there. After she left, there were two people to help. The guy that helped me was very nice. I mean, he couldnt do anything personally, and I understand that. But he could be nice. I finally encountered a nice lady at the terminal who helped me go through other options then flying into San Francisco. We both determined I could get toSan Jose in plenty of time to get in San Francisco, and the lady was ready to call her daughter to figure out how to get from the airport to San Francisco. Fortunately, I was high on the standby list and I got on the 8:00 flight to San Francisco. I thought this was lucky because there were tons of people from the 7:00 flight waiting for the 8:00 flight.

After I got to San Francisco, I wasnt in the mood to be in a good mood. But after I checked into my hostel and wandered the city a little I was in a great mood. I had a walking tour with the neighborhood I was interviewing at 3:00, which went well. It put me in a great mood. The office was full of young people that seemed like it would be fun to work. The only problem was with the position I was applying. It seems that they were more centered on financial planning then on community development.

So I really want to go out and drink tonight. The hostel Im at is social enough, but Im not social tonight.

Dunno if Im staying at this hostel or even in San Francisco tomorrow. Ill decide tomorrow. Might move to a different area of the city.