So, Vicky invited the women in our tea group to join her in San Francisco this past weekend to enjoy the Chinese New Year parade in Chinatown. Ginger and I took her up on it, and had a blast! Okay, okay, I was a bit melancholy, as is my nature. But they induced me into silliness. Flagra! Coo-coo, *scream*, "Baa-aaa-aaa"
I miss my boyfriend Matt. I really miss him.
They picked me up from SFO mid-morning, and we went over to 2 Genoa St. and Union St. to look at where we were going to stay for the next two nights. What an apartment! Vicky did some major research and found this place on craigslist. Natalie and her husband had recently refurbished #8. And we're among the first to stay there. There was the new paint smell, the new carpet, the decor, the furnishings--Wow! We couldn't believe our luck.
It was so cute we were staying in the yellow apartment building on Genoa and Union, just steps away from Coit Tower. And but a few blocks from Chinatown.
We peeked up and saw Natalie peering out at us from a second story window in the stairway. We had driven around the place, and then parked in the driveway. As we reveled in our Tuscany-inspired surroundings. we decided to see Coit Tower first, and enjoy the views from one of the many hills.
We did our first little hike of many that day. After a few photographs, we headed down the hill--and around the corner there was a herbs store. We looked around. Ginger and Vicky picked up Haw flakes, and Ginger also wanted to get something for the stomach. As we went to pay, Vicky looked in her black bag and her Louis Vuitton wallet was no where to be seen. We combed our brains and Ginger remembered she used it to prop the camera when we were doing self-portraits, courtesy of Canon and Kodak.
So we trekked up the hill, not far from our little corner, retrieved Vicky's wallet, and then started walking around town. We went as far as a little beyond Van Ness, then we stopped at a liquor store to ask for directions. We then walked on Van Ness, then met a Moroccan gentleman who was doing valet for the J.W. Marriott hotel. Sophian. He had spotted the Morroco flag on Ginger's purse, and they exchanged foreign words and smiles.
After we checked out the bathroom, and saw a sculpture very similar to a painting, with people dancing in a circle.
Our destination that afternoon was Union Square. We walked around, sniffing bubbly soap from Lush, checking out the local shops, wondering what to get Christina and Peter's daughter Caroline. We saw the heart sculptures, and later on, I took a picture with one that had animals on it.
We then had a fabulous meal at the Globe on 290 Pacific Avenue, which was just a few blocks from our home away from home. I ordered the potato leek soup, and had the swordfish. I tasted Ginger's pasta and Vix's beef. I loved everything! Why is my palate so potent now? Who knows?!!
Dessert was creme brulee and a lemon dessert with huckleberries. Divine!
Our server, Michael, was a bit standoff-ish. Friendly Ginger asked him his name, and there was a long pause before---"Michael." Later on, we asked him where he was from, and he said, "San Francisco," though he clearly, CLEARLY, had an accent. Oh, and Vicky needed change for $10, for the tip. She asked for a five and five one's. So Michael retrieved the change. Then later, she said that she miscalculated and ended up leaving him the whole ten bucks for tip. Ginger and I were rolling in our seats, as we saw him pick up the cash, then count out the ten! Vicks was in the bathroom during it.
We walked back to drop off the lamb sausage with onions pizza (for dinner later that night), and decided to check out Japantown. It was only a few blocks by one-two streets wide, where we spotted a metal origami shaped fountain. We spotted a Peet's Coffee and Tea. But we decided not to partake, and headed back to Union Square and then to 2 Genoa Place. #8.
On our way back, we stopped at a convenience store for breakfast food and drinks, and we asked the cashier, "Where can we get good dim sum?" He recommended the Gold Mountain restaurant on Broadway and Columbus--then another customer, seconded the motion.
We chilled and took a load off the rest of the evening.
In the morning, we drove to the airport to pick up Vicky's friend Lena. She had flown in from Boston, waking up at an insane hour. Back at the apartment, we dropped off Lena's stuff, and walked down to Broadway and Columbus, looking for this place. The great thing was, we only had to wait 10 minutes--then we were welcomed with the carts going by and servers announcing the cuisine in Chinese. Vicky graciously gave up pork that lunch for Lena and I were not ham consumers (But you still could have gotten it, Vicky!).
It was so filling! Then we lumbered around Chinatown the rest of the afternoon--browsing for something for Christina's baby; buying little firecracker pop things, drinking milk tea with boba, and taking pictures. There was a man dressed as a tall army soldier balloon costume, with whom I wanted a picture. Later, when we were walking down to the parade route, we saw similar people in these costumes dressed in chinese costumes.
The parade itself was disappointing. It was long, although it was cute to see the elementary school children in costumes, and the small floats passing by--but there were gaps in between which were a little odd. It made the parade run longer than two hours. There were also some people do flips, as well as many dragons. One tall china doll character bowed toward me while I was taking her picture, and I screamed. Just happened to be easily startled at that moment.
We had to make our dinner reservation at 8:59pm, so we walked down the parade route to where we took the BART to 16th St. Just two stops down. Then we walked over to andalu, a restaurant with small plates--or many appetizers to choose from. It was delicious! We did it family-style: sharing the pear salad, halibut (muy bueno), Cambanzola cheese fondue, sliders, brussel sprouts, roasted chicken breast with butternut squash, and for dessert: banana lumpia with dulce de leche ice cream!
We did have to wait though, because we were late; but totally worth it--Yum! Lena had to go back, since she was tired--and the mom-to-be had to rest.
The drive back the next morning--we started late to get to Christina's baby shower (620am)-was beautiful coming down the 101/152, then the 5 freeway. And it took a shorter time. Ginger started off the drive, Lena took the long middle, then I took the last 2 hours or so. Ginger told us the story of how when Vick was driving, Vick said, "Turn left here?" and Ginger concurred, but Vicky ended up turning right! So, Vicky ended up not taking the wheel the rest of the trip. Which I think was okay with her. Thanks Vickster for researching the fab apartment from craigslist, arranging the car rental, and everything!
*Flagra! *AARRRrrr* *Hiiii--yah* *BAK--bak bak bak* *Turbo Justice* *I'm Still Your Fag* *Cooo--cooo* *ahhh* *Baaa-baa*
