Day 8

Since it was my first Sunday morning I decided to go out for breakfast. It was a real american style breakfast with a litre of coffe and a giant muffin.

I intended to take a couple of photos from the start of the marathon race this morning, but I found out that the start was already at 7am.
And I found out that men were allowed to take part in this marathon. I wouldn't have done that because it sounds not so cool: "...I started at the womens marathon..."

Then I spent the rest of the morning watching football, I had enough walking yesterday.

In the Afternoon felt some hunger and I went out for something to eat. An hour later I ended up with three new t-shirts.

In the ground level of the shopping center there is some kind of a food hall, where lots of different restaurants offer a self-service. I decided to have something japanese.

When the cashier asked for my name I was a bit scared, maybe in rememberance of my beach adventure yesterday:-) But they used it to announce when the meal is ready.

Here is my "Spicy Chicken Platter", very tasty.

And here is an impression from the afternoon in downtown, today it's much cooler than yesterday, the wind is blowing from the sea...

Day 7

Since there is all around the preparation for the marathon tomorrow I decided to walk at least a part of the course today, just as a kind of a workout :-)
The original course of the marathon is shown here:
http://www.nike.com/nikemarathon/
Well, let's go...

Right at the beginning I spotted these nice firefighther truck. Why aren't the german firefighter trucks not that good looking? :-)

Then I went along Fisherman's Wharf, which is a huge tourists trap in San Francisco. There is a bunch of sea lions watching the tourists, which are buying many interesting souvenirs like Alcatraz prisoner shirts etc.

Then I had to take the official photo of the Golden Gate Bridge...

Then I came across this funny sign. Maybe I was too much smiling about the trail to Mexico (the last one), so I took the wrong turn..

After some minutes the way became more and more difficult, it was just a small path along the bluffs. But below was a small but nice beach.
And the fellow hikers were only men, all the time smiling and greeting..and on the beach I saw some nude males...
Luckily then I remembered the teacher who told us, that the north of Baker Beach is a male nude beach...I instantly turned and went back...

Then I dicovered the regular Baker Beach, it's a beautiful but crowded sandy beach. Unfortunately I forgot my swimming shorts.......in Berlin :-(

After many more miles I reached the Sutros Heights Park, which is providing a breathtaking view on the pacific coast (the beach is called ocean beach). So I saw the pacific ocean for the first time in my life.
I walked for six hours without a break, I was really exhausted. In the distance I recognized the tents of the marathon finish. So I walked at least half the distance ( the runners have to run past the finish for a round around Lake Merced and the back to the finish).
I had enough walking for the day, so I took the bus back home (it was my first bus ride in California).

Day 6

Again it was a perfect day in San Francisco. This means I spended my lunch break again at the Union Square, enjoying the sun and reading my book. This time I sat on a very comfortable chair, sponsored by a Laura King Pfaff. Thank you so much Laura!!
I had no lunch today, to compensate this giant "Ultimate Cheese Bacon"-Burger at Jack-In-The-Box which I had yesterday.


At Union Square already started the preparation for the Womens Marathon, since today the runners can pick up their start numbers. If it wouldn't be a Womens Marathon I would think about participating, at least a Half-Marathon, since I miss doing some sports. But maybe it's better not to try it, I'm a bit out of shape :-)


In the afternoon I started another exploration trip, this time I entered the San Francisco Shopping Center (it just opened a couple of weeks ago). With it's eight floors and connected buildings it can keep a shopper busy for many hours. And so I finally came out (after a couple of hours) with a bag in my hand :-)

Day 5

Once again it was the perfect beach weather, so I decided to go for another exploration of the city. This time I visited Mission St., the Ferry Building and back again over Market St.

They advertised a night market at the Ferry Building, but unfortunately it wasn't there. Maybe the season is already over :-(

I read that the tower of the Ferry Building is built after the tower of the old cathedral of Sevilla (the Giralda). Hmm...I was there in May, but I don't remember that it looked this way....

Thats again the Ferry Building, this time from sea side.

On the way I passed the SF Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA). It looks interesting with the high towers in the background.

There are many skaters using the skateboard on the descending streets. Thats a smart idea, lets see where I can buy a skateboard..

Another typical street photo..

Day 4

Oooops, it's already day 4, time is passing quick...
Today didn't happen anything important. In the morning and afternoon I went to school as usual. Today at lunch break I had one of these typical american Hotdogs with relish, onions and mustard...very good.


After school I enjoyed the perfect weather and the californian sun on Union Square, which is the only place to sit outside I know so far. But it was very relaxing to sit there in the sun. Unfortunately the high houses around block the sunshine very early.