This was a nice surprise. We were conveniently "upgraded" to Economy Plus on our flight there. It's nothing much though, just a bit more leg room. It was the most comfortable flight I've ever taken though. Pity it was only for 2 hours. I could have used it when I was going to China..
Just a few pics as we drove to our hotel. The nice bright shining sun was a definite change from the dreary Vancouver weather..
We stayed at the Crowne Plaza. It's nothing too special. They did a nice job renovating it recently. The rooms come with a nice flat screen.. Unfortunately their hotel is situated right along one of the highways. The cars can really be heard during the day.. I guess it provides some nice 'background' noise at night. Sort of.
Many houses of San Francisco are connected to one another.. Nothing like the separated units we have at home. Chinese families would have fun living in these quarters. My neighbours would enjoy the constant yelling and bitching going on in my family. Privacy is definitely limited here.
We went to visit our cousins at their house. This is their block. It's a nice little place on one of the many hills/plateaus they have in the surrounding areas. Thankfully, there hasn't been much fog so far in the trip. Or wind. SF's known for its foggy days, I can actually see the city this time around.
We went to Downtown San Francisco to take in the Christmas festivities and shopping going on. One word : Amazing. It sort of puts Vancouver's to shame, and I think Vancouver has a pretty vibrant colourful Downtown area. San Francisco's is two times as big and eventful. Macy's was decorated gorgeously, the tree was huge, there was ice skating, and the mood all around was just positive. The view from the top of Macy's was on the Sky Terrace where we waited for an hour and a half at the Cheesecake Factory for a table. It was well worth it I suppose. I've never seen anything quite like it. I would say almost a hundred people in the lobby just waiting and the 5 rotating hosts and hostesses working their asses off trying to seat and put everyone down. Not once did any of them show any signs of frustration. I could learn a thing or two.
--------------Okay, I'm too tired to continue. Yawn. I've been getting up early each day to get to the gym. If only I could show the same type of commitment at home.. Perhaps it's because of the convenience of the gym. Funny story..well more sad, there was a large young girl yesterday in the gym with me. She was on the treadmill as I was doing my cool down. She went on, started RUNNING at speed 3.0.. (yes, I was being nosy) and then STOPPED after two minutes. TWO MINUTES. She burned 13 calories. She then went to the scale to weigh herself. Unhappy with these results, she proceeded to go to the elliptical where she went on it for five minutes, and burned 29 calories. By now, she was practically dripping in sweat. Poor girl. Her brother then came in to join her. Not any better. He was running at speed 3 as well. Hell, I walk at 4.5..
At least she's trying I suppose. I was stifling my laughter so hard, I had to drink water to prevent myself from sneering. They left after about 10 minutes and 40 calories burnt, at best.
I'm going to blame the dollar menus here at McDicks and Taco Bell for these overweight unfit people. No wonder America has the fattest people around. Makes me feel good about myself, ha!
Hopefully I'll remember what else I did on this trip through my pictures. Yes, they're from my cell phone, I'm not going to bother being all artsy and fancy with my travel journals. As long as I write it down, I'll remember it in the future. Happy Holidays!
