Sunday 24 April 2011

Sacramento

Happy Easter/ ANZAC day!

We have been outside of Sacramento in Rancho Cordova for the past couple of days, just chilling out. It was cheaper to book our hotel through Expedia than at the desk, so we did that - a travel tip haha.

The drive from San Fran to here was fine and Will negotiated the freeways well. He just needed a few reminders that the indicators are on the left hand side and to stay on the right, particularly when turning corners. Not many speed limit reminders, but we ended up doing the required 65 miles an hour. Lots of punch buggies (or 'slug bugs' - thanks Clint!). Saw lots of monster pick-ups as usual, and just like in Victoria, lots of people speeding and stupid trucks that cut into your lane. We went over the Bay Bridge which took aaages - just a really long bridge, longer than the Golden Gate!

I had my first 'In n Out' burger when we got to West Sacramento. For those of you who are unfamiliar with their menu, it consists of four things - double doubles, cheeseburgers, hamburgers and fries. And drinks. And they have been around for ages. And the ones we have been past are always packed, at any given time. Amazing. The food was pretty good too! Tasty burgers, again, with real onion and lettuce (not the dehydrated, shredded stuff like Maccas in Australia). They make the burgers fresh and they wash and cut up the potatoes in the actual store. Pretty cool! Two hamburger meals cost us a little over $10, with the typical refill as much as you like drinks. Also, many fast food places here show how many calories are in each item on the menu. So a piece of cheese which takes you from a hamburger to a cheeseburger adds 30 cents and also 90 calories. Today's useless trivia item!!

Then we went on in our hunt for an RV. We saw lots of massive ones, which one lady told us was as easy to drive as rental car... as if! Apparently the the class B type that we want is quite rare as it is custom-made. After a detour past La Quinta Drive instead of Quinta Road (Will's directions. Thanks to McDonalds for providing us with enough free wi-fi to negotiate east Sacramento with the iPod!), we found our baby. And we were just in time too as the guy who came in after us even waited for us to finish the test drive, because he was keen to buy this RV! We also heard the story about Bob Cook from New Zealand. Apparently he bought an RV in January from NZ, but won't be picking it up til June! And we thought we were keen!!

The RV is pretty cool and has everything we want. They are giving it a good clean out as they had only just received it and then we are picking it up on Tuesday. The guys at the RV place were pretty funny and we were discussing the Gold Coast with the owner who had just returned from a holiday there. He loves Australia more than Europe! We will also be getting a lesson in how to use the vehicle, which is good, as I have no idea. Will says it drives really well (we tested it out on the freeway) and I have named her Betsey Blue for her blue stripes on the outside and blue seats in the inside. Can't wait to move in!

I saw my first squirrel the following morning! He was hanging out near our car (well, sussing it out, hiding underneath it and generally being cute). He was really little and had THE hugest, fluffiest tail, particularly in relation to the size of his tiny body. He wasn't very shy and even came closer and stood up on his hind legs when Will took a photo. SOOOO fluffy I could die! I just wanted to squirrel-nap him!

Yesterday I also had my first visit to Walmart. It was huge, about four times the size of most K-marts in Australia, but according to Will and the lady at the checkout, it is small. Can't wait to see a superstore! Prices were pretty cheap, so we bought some things for the RV like tea-towels and plates and cutlery. We also just spent a lot of time wandering around, looking at things, with me saying 'Oh gosh, it is so cheap!' at shampoo, cosmetics, sheets, strawberries, bananas (60 cents a pound!$1.20ish a kilo) etc. I did get a bit nervous when we walked past the shotgun/handgun section. At least they were all locked up.

And finally I understand why 'ex-roomie' Heather got confused when trying to find pie-cases in Australia. Here they are not in the frozen section, they are with the 'crackers' section with custom built shelves. Can't miss 'em! I also managed to find 'Silk' for our cold cereal in the morning - soy milk! The $5.95 breakfast at the hotel was ok (cooked buffet), but I do like the Honey Special-K. I also looked for squirrel soft toys, but couldn't find one :(

After Walmart we went to Safeway to buy some things for lunch/dinner. Again, a wander around commenting on prices, varieties and other weird things. And although Will isn't a huge fan, I love root beer!! Like sarsaparilla only better! They had a take-away hot food section in this supermarket, which was pretty cool, but we ended up with a 24 piece sushi pack for $9.95. It was pretty tasty and even came with edamames which were a tasty snack (soybeans)! Will found a dozen Blue Moon beers for 12.99, so he was a very happy camper. Fortunately for us we got a 'Safeway' card before we bought our snacks, which saved us a whopping $10! It got really confusing at this supermarket because they have 'member prices' in huge letters, which was a bit misleading to start with...until we got us a card!

That evening we just relaxed at the hotel, watching movies and 'Teachers' and working out where we are going once we get into our RV.

Today I had my first drive in the US of A. No one died, no one was hurt and no one was yelled at. I even used the indicator correctly first go! I did only drive along the road at 30 miles an hour, but then I got used to the road and stopped floating to the right so much and we went the actual limit! Our destination: a shopping outlet. Well, a small one anyway. Having said that, we did manage to get sick of shopping in about three hours. Volcom shorts for $30, Roxy skirt for $4.33 (nearly smashed the budget with that one), O'Neill dress for $16, Nine West wedges for $60 and a DKNY dress (which I wouldn't even look at in Australia because I know I can't afford anything in the store) for $37!! What bargains! And I wasn't even in the mood for serious shopping!! So, all you crazy shoppers out there, forget Asia, come straight to the USA and get to the outlet stores! Lots of sales and lots of awesome designer clothes. I did look at a Coach purse for $20 too...

Then we went to 'Chilis' which is a cross between a Mexican restaurant and a diner. Had a huge late lunch of ribs and crispy chicken crispers. $31 with unlimited soft drink (I listened to you, Kara, and had Coke zero!), including tip. And we got a 'to go' box. Something different from Australia is that all restaurants and even food courts, provide boxes to take home any food you aren't able to eat. Obviously not a health hazard! And probably something to do with the huge servings they give you here. The ribs were pretty darn amazing.

Other cultural differences - in the hotel corridor there is an ice machine which gives you as much ice as you like (well, you have to go and get it). So rather than having a fridge in your room (you can request one), you just go and fill up your bucket with ice! Perfect for those who love ice in their drinks (Andria!). So our drinks are sitting in ice.

Oh yeah and I had my first Reese's peanut butter cup yesterday (it is Easter after all, I have to eat SOME chocolate). Jury is out - it was tasty, but the peanut butter was sooo sweet! Might have to try another one...! Doing all right on the jeans-fitting front - the jeans I wore over have been through the wash and dryer and are actually looser than when we left. Could be the hours of walking we've done!! Better keep it up :)

More relaxing this afternoon with a lazy swim in the pool on the agenda. Tomorrow Will is returning the rental car to San Francisco, so I will just hang out in the hotel room and start the great re-pack.

Friday 22 April 2011

Last day in San Fran

Well, we leave today for Sacramento after a great few days in San Fran. We celebrated Will's Aussie birthday in a random bar on a random hill. Three pints, two diet cokes, a B52, and a free-poured shot (double!) of yellow Galliano came to a staggering $10. Love it!!

Also, just found out that Horsham College's school library has been burnt down - pretty sad. At least it happened in the holidays so no one was hurt.

Saw the Golden Gate Bridge yesterday - pretty spectacular. Walked a lot as per usual and saw the 'crooked' street, which is actually quite cool in a city full of straight streets.

Won't be blogging for a couple of days as we don't know what the wi-fi situation will be.

Happy Easter everyone! x

Wednesday 20 April 2011

Sunny San Francisco III


No proper blog entry for yesterday. We got up late, after a late night out with some other Aussies, a guy from San Diego and some English girls.

I haven’t yet explained the awesome breakfast that the hostel offers though. In Australia the bagels are doughy and tough to chew. Here they are fluffy and light and delicious. They come in a variety of flavours – at our hostel they have plain, onion, cinnamon and fruit (sultanas) and everything (a bit weird with peanut butter). So we have been eating bagels for brekkie every day which has been awesome. Also, they have pre-made coffee in big urns (on the first day I thought it was just hot water, so I ended up with a coffee soaked tea bag… oops). They also have English muffins, toast, fruit salad (about the only fruit I eat each day!) and porridge. They have two types of peanut butter, grape jelly, strawberry jam, orange marmalade, nutella, blackberry jam and of course butter. YUM!! And best bit – it’s free.

So, yesterday we went out to South Hayward (deep east) to hunt for RVs. We took the BART subway system and I got to see American burbs for the first time. Not a whole lot of luck (we didn’t see a single RV, just some lush looking vans), but I did get to try my first Wendy’s cheeseburger, which even had real onion and was pretty tasty. I rate the fries – they still had potato skin on them. A lot of walking was done that day, so I think that counteracts the fast food. I hope. Then it was back to the city.

We caught up with some American friends, one who is in San Jose and works for Google and one who just finished grad school south of there (can’t remember where – sorry John!) and had a feast in China Town… for $11.95. We had chicken ‘potsticks’ (dumplings), spring rolls, chicken on sticks, fried rice, sweet and sour pork, beef and broccoli and fried noodles. We also had fortune cookies and delicious green tea ice cream for dessert. ‘Be patient. Etc.’ (not literally that, but something pretty basic like that. I think it is referring to my impatience at not finding an RV yet). A bottle of nice Napa Valley wine was $19.50. MUCH better than Aussie prices!! It was great to catch up with Neil and John, whom we saw last time at the Hofbrauhaus in Munich last year… after quite a few steins of beer.

It was interesting comparing cultural differences, especially as we do speak the same language, but have so many different ideas/expressions etc. They also told us some of the things happening around San Fran (national pot-smoking day holiday from 4.20pm today etc.) and also places not to miss on our trip. It was a great night, just a pity that Neil had to work today – otherwise it would’ve been bigger!

After that we went back to the hostel, caught up with some people who were heading out, so we tagged along and went to a bar a couple of blocks away. Shocking prices. $2 beers including Coronas and Peronis as well as $2 spirits. Lucky we didn’t start their sooner…!

Today has been pretty quiet. We have booked a car for Friday for four days (how’s that for alliteration!). We will head to Sacramento to try our luck at buying an RV there – apparently we picked the worst city to try and buy one! Also, we chose the worst weekend to rent a car – as a traveller it’s easy to forget that this weekend is not only Will’s birthday, but also Easter!!

So tonight we’ll have our $5 dinner (bolognaise, salad and brownie) and stay in to watch a movie. We might actually get up earlier tomorrow! I do love the breakfast til 11am though. More tomorrow! 

Monday 18 April 2011

Drizzly San Francisco

Well it was a drizzly, overcast in San Fran today. We must've been tired, cos we didn't wake up til 10.15... breakfast finished at 11. Still catching up on sleep. We did a walking tour, by Fog City Tours (she was great and knew her stuff really well) , from our hostel. First we went to the Grace Cathedral, after climbing a steeep hill (Nob Hill *immature giggle*). Nice stain glass windows and some cool paintings, but nothing on the Cathedrals of Europe hehe. We learnt about the huge earthquake and consequent fires that destroyed most of San Francisco in 1906. We went into the Fairmont Hotel (posh!) and had a look at the photos from 1906. The hotel has been in some famous movies, like Clint Eastwood's Dirty Harry.

Next was Chinatown, where we visited a fortune cookie factory and had a free, fresh and hot sample. Yum. No fortune in it though - these were the reject cookies. No pictures, cos they cost 50 cents haha. The alley where we saw the factory had some 'authentic' tables and boxes and things which our guide said weren't usually there. She asked around and apparently they are filming a movie there about Ernest Hemingway's life. Cool!

We then went to Jack Keroauc Alley and checked out the paintings on the walls there. He was a member of the Beat Generation, which we learnt about at the Beat Museum. He and Neal Cassidy read lots of books, thought about them and talked about them and were quite revolutionary in their thinking. It was the 1950s and they were part of the movement which lead to the hippie times of the '60s. Allen Ginsberg wrote the poem 'Howl' which was banned in bookshops and which was also the Beat Generation's manifesto.

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/179381

Lunch was next - a big tasty chicken Caesar salad, which we thankfully shared!

Fudge samples at a factory was after lunch and I had my first taste of 'saltwater' taffy. Very sticky, not good for the teeth, but quite a tasty 'candy.'

Another walk up a steeep hill and we were on Telegraph Hill. Coit Tower was there, but we didn't go up. Had a great view of the Golden Gate Bridge... except for the fog! We could only see one pylon, so might have to go back when the weather is better. Lots of cool paintings in the bottom level of the Tower, of life in San Francisco and it was nice to see some eucalypts and bottle brushes. A walk down a steeep hill, past some lovely green gardens and the tour finished not far from Ferry Building. We walked back to the hostel, resulting in sore feet and a tired Jen and Will. A slice of pizza and a walk to the supermarket for drinks has completed our day, and now we are waiting for the awesome $5 dinners at the hostel and continuing to chat with our new Aussie mates, some of whom we met last night at dinner and some we met today on the tour. Probably have a much slower day tomorrow!! We need to find an RV... more tomorrow!

Sunday 17 April 2011

Sunny San Francisco II

Our first full day in San Fran!

We walked miles today (approximately 8!), checking out the city Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf. Had a look at heaps of shops, but somehow managed to resist (limited space in room and backpacks!).  This will not last though! Prices are definitely cheaper than in Australia - depressingly so. I am pleased to report that Uggs here are made in China, but there are some pretty funky ones! And they call wool 'fur' so the label proudly states that it has 'fur from lambs' used in/on the Uggs.

The walk out to Fisherman's Wharf was lovely and we saw lots of cool buildings. We had clam chowder for lunch and onion rings. The clam chowder was served in a sourdough bowl, which we ate. I believe we were the only people in the whole 'Chowders' restaurant who ate all of theirs! It was pretty tasty, the chowder and the bowl! Very filling. That was on Pier 39, where there were heaps of tourists but lots of cool shops and restaurants. We also walked past a bakery that had an alligator bread thing in the window!

We saw Alcatraz from a distance and checked out the sea lions. They were so funny, climbing all over each other and 'orr, orr' ing. There were heaps of them, just lying on pontoons and sleeping, chatting and having the occasional swim.

Saw the cable tram... and the hundreds of people queuing to catch it. So we walked back. Up a hill, through China town and via Macy's. Fun day, but my feet are sore now!!

Sunny San Francisco

The Australian eagles have landed!! After a gruelling 24 hours of awakedness (not sure if the fleeting two hours of sleep really counted), we arrived in sunny San Fran. As a newcomer to the USA, I was a little afraid of customs in LA, but no dramas occurred. Hundreds of people queued to get their fingerprints done (four fingers on the right, right thumb, and then the other hand), plus a photo which we assume was to record a picture of our eyeballs. Customs was easy and even though I had snack chocolate with us, we were allowed through. Woo hoo and welcome to the USA!

The flight was ok, but I just couldn't get to sleep. A bit cramped, but the food was ok and so was the entertainment. I watched Wall Street: Money never sleeps  (Ok, but I thought it would've been a bit more exciting) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 (great, but it's cruel to end a movie in the middle of the action!) and Gulliver's Travels (hilariously ridiculous). Talked to a few people who said the shopping in the USA is cheap! Yay!

We checked in for our LA to SFO flight and waited in the crowded domestic departures lounge with iPod sudoku and a large Coke (1185 mL - we passed on the endless refills). Then we were on the plane - free drinks, but I slept through most of the flight (one hour and twenty minutes). Sunny San Fran! We caught a hotel shuttle and I marvelled at how like the movies the highways, cars and buildings are.

Hotel Adelaide were true to the reviews on Hostelworld and stuffed up our booking so we were put into a 6-bed mixed dorm instead of a 4-bed. Ah well. I was a little afraid of my bed though - on the bottom bunk, but at exactly mattress level was an open window, with no bars, and a drop of four stories... Luckily I didn't move around too much in my sleep - not sure how insurance would go with me falling out of a hostel window our first night!!

After a much needed shower, chicken burrito and nap, we were ready to meet up with our friend Pat. He was in town for work, randomly of course, from Connecticut. Of course this was going to happen, after all our random meetings across Europe last year! I had my first Bud Light at the bar where we had dinner. Not a lot of flavour, but very easy to drink! Will and I had a bite of Pat's Reuben Sandwich - our first taste of that corned beef, sauerkraut and cheese on rye bread goodness. We played it safe with a burger and BLT, and the potato skins were awesome. We ate too much. Need to make sure this doesn't happen to often or we may need new jeans!

Speaking of jeans, we passed many iconic shops on our way to dinner - Macy's, Barney's and Saks Fifth Avenue. Some familiar shops too - Merrell, Nine West and an Ugg shop bigger than the one in Melbourne Central. I know we brought heaps of clothes over... but I might need some more :)

Off to explore the city today, once we check into our actual room. Pictures and more posts to come!!

Sunday 10 April 2011

It's the final countdown!!

Well, visas are sorted, a container of our stuff has been sent to Tassie and we are officially living out of backpacks. Less than a week to go til we touchdown in San Francisco, so we are starting to get excited! Some last minute correction to do and then it's packing and going, going, gone! :)