Chapter One: San Fran

I have to admit, as my trip began, driving up the 5, North towards San Francisco, I had my apprehensions. I was nervous and certainly scared.

How were things going to turn out? We hadn't seen each other in years, it was a city I was unfamiliar with, I was going to be staying with her extended family, whom I had never met. Would I fit in? Would I feel overwhelmed? All of these thoughts went racing through my head.

Yet - the moment I saw her, eyes bright and welcoming, smiling from the staircase of her Aunt's house - I knew San Fran was going to be a blast.

My god - what a beautiful city. It reminds me of LA in the sense that there are different neighborhoods everywhere and that no matter where you roam, the scenery continuously changes, but manages to be as stunning in each new area as the last.  The Castro, the Mission, China Town, Downtown, the Bay, Alcatraz, Russian Hill, the Haight Ashbury, North Beach. All had their unique charm.

We did all the touristy things, went down to the wharf, with all the aromas that dangle in the air, just waiting to be inhaled. The salt of the sea, the boiled lump crab meat, the steaming chowders, the tangy nip of sourdough bread. It all just hung there, thick as can be, waiting to be disturbed by those passing by. I have to say it surely didn't disappoint (although their clam chowder - as fresh as it is, doesn't have anything on New England style).

The trolly cars were beautiful! We never made it on one, but damn did they parade down the street with such charm and vigor. A real snapshot of the past.

Downtown was neatly laid out and clean, kind of if New York had a bastard child with LA. It has all the prim and proper looks up an upscale city, with the little bit of grime to make it feel like a real city.

Now, the people? What a hoot! Everyone was so nice. So down to Earth. Hell, most were so high. We even got to hang out one night in an artist commune, where 23 artists lived, taught each other things, and meditated. Man, was that a friggin' trip. These people were operating on a completely different level. One guy, even swore that by meditating with oms, he could "charge" a crystal with positive energy, crush it up into ink, and screen print it onto any pice of clothing to correct your balance, posture, and general life existence.

Wow.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not making fun of him or doubting his beliefs, it just intrigued me that someone could believe in something like that so passionately (don't worry - we're not talking Branson, MO level here. Don't worry - that comes later).

Of course we ate amazing food (Asian, Indian, American, Mexican, Cuban), shared amazing laughs, and tore up the town. I met so many different people, all of which I may never see again in my life, but I know if I do, I'll be met with a warm embrace.

At times I stumbled around. Ok, I won't lie, every night I stumbled around, drunk from one of the local bars, yet I never felt unsafe. The city somehow had this way of embracing you, taking you in, and watching over you. It felt the most like home any foreign place ever has. I was warmed by the lights on the streets, made aware by the brisk, damp air, and protected by shadows of the looming old victorian houses. It just all felt so right.

My parents had sworn I'd love San Fran - that'd it'd be my "Paris of America" (yes, obviously I have a strong affinity for Paris). And, just like they were right about, before I had even visited, Ithaca being my perfect fit for school, San Fran was absoluty stunning. It won me over - almost immediately. From the first hill that I saw in the Haight to the view leaving on the Bay Bridge - I was in metropolitan love.

I don't know if i could live there indefinitely at this age, but when I slow down, and get some pepper in my hair, I could totally see myself perched up there.

I'll always remember San Fran for the crisp air, rolling fog, abundance of laughter, and late nights spurned on by catching up and rehashing old memories.

All in all, it was a perfect way to start the trip.

And boy, did it only get better from there.