My last day in California. Not forever, I’ll be back! I got a late start today, but the sun was shining through the windows beckoning me onwards. I walked to Bernal Heights, enjoying leisurely window-shopping along Cortland Avenue. It reminded me of downtown Winslow, actually, complete with cute gift shops, casual dining spots, a friendly, [...]
With all the unseasonably good weather I’ve been having, it was only a matter of time before I got rained on. On my way to Civic Center, I had the good fortune to hit upon the Farmer’s Market — free samples galore from the friendly farmers under their white or blue tents! But I lingered [...]
I am a mochi machine! I woke up, took the bus up to Japantown, and went to the mochi shop Ron Chun recommended so highly: Benkyodo. The man who runs it is well-aged and a bit thin, with glasses and a kind, articulate way of speaking. “I hear you have the best mochi around. Which [...]
After another day of hiking and relaxing, I said my farewells and took the Caltrain to the big city of San Fran. Am I the only one for whom San Francisco and Rice-A-Roni are inextricably intermixed? Anyhow, I met Jamie, my old neighbor on Bainbridge, who has had a fabulous career as an environmental engineer [...]
Ted and Barbara’s place is like a spa. There is the forest, with miles of well-kept trails and clean air, filtered and oxygenated by the moss-covered redwoods and the energetic creek. I spent hours hiking there today, once the mist burned off a bit. There is the infrared sauna, which makes my skin glow but [...]
After a day of doing absolutely, blissfully nothing, reading and listening to the rain, I had a day jam-packed with adventure. I finally got in touch with my uncle’s friend, Ron Chun, a tax lawyer, disaster-preparedness card-holder, amateur guitarist, and honorary lesbian, and he picked me up bright and early. We introduced ourselves over coffee [...]
