Yosemite National Park

There was no WiFi and who wanted to by typing when you could be viewing the most amazing park I've seen to date. So I wrote it all down and I want to share it with you.

Its currently snowing in Yosemite, its fantastic! Its starting to stick to the road. we are currently stopped on the road out of the park having been waved down by the ranger. He said we'd have a wait while they cleared some cars off the road further ahead of us. We just left the Wawona Hotel. Oh my goodness what a dream place! Adirondak chairs looking into the woods-down to the meadow. Which is a golf course. Who knew? What an amazing place to play golf!
I gave my presentation on Mariposa earlier. It went well I think, people thought I'd been there before which is what I was going for. Mariposa is a town outside Yosemite.
At the Wawona Hotel we had "John Muir" give a presentation. It was really perfectly timed. As he spoke the snow was falling behind him, outside. And we were in the lobby of the Hotel which is as authentic looking as it was long ago. This guy is a park ranger there but looks just like John Muir and speaks with a Scottish accent (Muir was Scottish) he knew his words by heart and you really felt he was recounting his walks around the valley when he first got here. It was very entertaining.
And as a side note if you entered the park from this side you really should make a stop at the Hilmar Cheese Factory. They have a great shop there with tons of great picnic items so you'd have a great feast on the lawn of the Wawona Hotel. It would be great!
So back to being parked on the road. We watched the snow accumulate and then the ranger told us to put the chains on the bus so while our driver Al did that Ted pulled out the box with our "wine tasting" items in it and we had our cocktail party right on the bus. It was hilarious. Trying not to spill and we were able to mingle a little and have some laughs and then Al's wife Pat pulled out another box and it was food to accompany the wine. We we had a regular feast on our bus. We were parked there for 2 hours. When we finally made it through the tunnel we pulled over just in time for the clouds to have parted enough to see the valley. It was spectacular! We took photos and then as soon as it was there it was gone in the clouds again and the snow go heavier so we hurried out of there.
The hotel we stayed out was the Cedar Lodge. I'd say pay extra and stay in the park, this place was okay but I'd say don't bother with it. I think because lodging is so limited most people stay outside and then drive in. Same in Yellowstone I guess.
They called ahead to the hotel only to find that their dining room was closed and the kitchen for bar food was closing soon we he hurried up and got some food (wow, expenive!) I had a sad looking grilled chicken breast on a hoagie bun for 10 bucks, one of the cheapest things on the menu.
After dinner I joined Evan, Chris and Casey at the pool for a quick swim since it was closing soon as well.
We all got dressed again and went back to the bar and hung out for a while there. Lots of dancing to the juke box there.

Thursday morning. We had a really early start since our luggage had to be outside our rooms at 7am. I find that pretty annoying, considering you have to get up early and use everything in it before that time. Its not like sleeping in and just setting it out and off you go. But I guess that is how that works?
We were stuck with a sad cold "hot buffet" from the hotel. It cost a fortune, and no other options. My gosh, make an effort at least. They would have sold more breakfast with a choice of buying only one or two items. Weird. I was not impressed with them at all!
But the sun was shining and we were headed back into the park finally. So it was okay. Yosemite had a blanket of snow on it and it was really pretty. Most Californians hadn't seen it with a dusting of snow so they were pretty thrilled. Some of them had been to the park alot too.
We had a hilarious icy hike up to Bridal Veil Falls (brr!) and then we had a view of El Capitan from there as well. we went up to Awahnee Hotel (wow!) and had a look around there for a little bit before we went to the Yosemite Village which is where Ansel Adams studio is. Pretty neat, knowing he was there. And now I get why he was so inspired. Its a beautiful place!
We did a hike to Lower Yosemite Falls and had some photos and then had lunch at the lodge. It was a long bus ride home but it was okay. they let us nap after lunch which was a first and then more presentations and then we were dropped off. Phew!
There was alot more to it but I was so tired last night and ready to get off that bus! I don't know how people travel that way. Its amazing. Packed on to the bus, hurried along at every stop, drive by sightseeing. I know when you don't have alot of time, its an efficient way to see a place but its not my favorite. I hope that as a tour director I'd be working and not thinking about that as much. (really big hope huh?Since thats what my job will be all about)
I did get car sick for the first time. I didn't throw up but I had to move to the front of the bus. That was a first for me. I was in the back seat (which I hated) and it was nice to move up.

After I got unpacked in the hostel my roommate Sabine wanted to go find something to eat so we found a cheap sushi place around the corner from here. Filled with Japanese. We were the only tourists for a while. The lady waiting on us was hard to understand for Sabine and they got off on the wrong foot. It was kind of funny. The Japanese lady got really ticked off at her at the end and Sabine was like, I don't understand. The lady made a huge fuss about her tip. Right in front of her. I mean, at least cuss her out when she's left but she got really huffy with her right there and Sabine didn't understand what she did. It was hard to explain it to her so we just left.
Good food though, and cheap, you pull these plates off the "boats" that are moving around a "mote" and then are charged according to what you grab. I've always wondered how that worked.
This morning our newest roommate was up at 5am talking on the phone. I don't really appreciate being a part of that at that time of the morning.
Now its time to get dressed and find some breakfast.

Final Prep for Yosemite Trip

I either have to find quarters for laundry or start stinking. I thought I packed enough undies. Turns out I didn't. I really must do something about that.

We had a really great class today. All about International travel. I can't wait to do that. So much to work out, and figure out and so many unknowns. Its going to be really nerve wracking!

Tomorrow we all get on the motorcoach and head off to Yosemite National Park. I can't even tell you how excited I am about that! I have always wanted to see that park. Its on everyones list of things to see. What a privilege to get to see it. Some of us present our part of the tour tomorrow and others do their parts on Thursday. We have about half of the bus full of people who are new to us. And new to the area. Other tour guides who are here to study this route and add it to their resumes. Wow, no pressure.

I've been studying. I have the advantage/disadvantage of doing a "city tour" or Mariposa. It will be a challenge to keep it simple for me since its not a big town and there are only a few sights on our route. Should be good though, I practiced in front of the heater in my room and it seemed to hiss in approval...at least thats how I took it. Ha!

Chris and Evan and I were hurting today. Late night for us, and then lots of things to pay attention to in class. It wasn't easy. We got assignments for Saturday and then also for Sunday as well. Presentations for a destination and a map routing. Boy wouldn't I be an asset to AAA now?! Funny how that works.

My German roommates are out having pizza tonight. They are funny. I will miss the two that have been here. I just got a new roomie yesterday. Sabine from Frankfurt. She is great. Very smart and here for work for 6 weeks.
Lisa had a hilarious accident out in the city today. A lady stopped her and asked if she could do her hair and so Lisa let her! She straightened out her hair and pinned it etc and then said, If you buy this flat iron from me today for 125 dollars I'll finish straightening the other half of your hair. She had only done one side of her hair. Luckily she doesn't have really curly hair like the other girl. So they thought that was totally hilarious. Ha! I think I'd heard of that before but that is pretty funny.

Well, I've got my camera batteries charged and my other memory card ready to go as well so I'm prepped for one of the most amazing sights! Yeah. We have an amazing itinerary planned for this trip too so I'll be sure to take good notes. A wine tasting by the river and tours of the park and Lodge and hikes etc. Its going to be great. Have I said that already?

My new friend Blake read my blog the other day and today he was so funny he just looks right at me and says "you write alot" ha. I guess I do. I don't even notice it. Its just what I see and do each day. Speaking of Blake, that reminds me. The name of the bakery in North Beach is Mara's not Marna's. Mara's, yeah, definetly going back there soon!
I have to anyways because my presentation on a foreign country is on Greece and there is a Greek restaurant there I want to try. Conveniently located across the street from the pastry shop. Yippee!

Oh boy! Off to bed!

Take me out to the ball game!

I had the great privilege to go to a ballgame in San Francisco. The AT&T Park. To watch the Giants play the Phillies. What fun! Tons of fans, great looking new stadium and great company. Evan and Chris and I went. The only three irresponsible ones from class decided to take the night off and go see a game.
We walked from class to the stadium. Its not as far as it seems from "Union Square" then we had to find our seats in the nose bleed section. What great seats though. We could see everything! Beers in that place were 9.75 each, can you believe it? I had a hotdog instead.
We walked back from there and stopped in at XYZ. Its in the W hotel. Get it? WXYZ? Funny. Drinks cost a small fortune there. And of all things they had a Ms. Pacman game, which was free to play. Weird.
We had a great time. Lots of laughs and some get to know you time as well.
I ran into my Englishman again today at breakfast. I didn't mention him before, he really flustered me yesterday and today I was better prepared. He wants to take me out tomorrow night (its 12:33 am so technically tonight) not sure where we'll go or what we'll do. He kissed my hand when he said good day to me this morning. I've never had that happen I don't think. We'll see. I am hoping he'll let me practice my commentary on him since we hit the road on Wednesday for our overnight tour of Yosemite. Yikes! I have a big topic and a full bus to present it to so I hope it goes well.
Its only Tuesday tomorrow. Feels like I've been here forever. Hard to believe really.
Well, off to bed. Its way past my bedtime now, I can hear all of my roommates sleeping right now. All three German now. We got a new one today. The girls who went to Yosemite are sound asleep. It must have been quite a day. I can't wait to hear all about it.

Pastry Dinner

After a hugely eventful day today the highlight ends up being a pastry I found at Marna's Bakery in North Beach. Oh it was so good and worth every penny. A pastry filled with custard, just like I ate in Spain! Oh yum! I was so excited to see it. My class mate Blake and I were walking along and we saw the sweets in the window and when we walked past and stopped and looked at each other we knew immediately without a word we were going back to go inside. I am so glad we did too. The pastry I wanted was inside! It was such a nice walk around tonight. the lights were coming on on the streets and people were coming out. I think it was like locals night tonight. The tourists head home and the streets are less frantic and more quiet and so all the places were full of people just enjoying the amazing weather and company. Great night. Blake and I ate our pastry's in the park that was next to a great church and in front of us was Coit Tower. We decided the bench we sat on was empty because when you finally sit down and look up there is a big tree right in line with Coit Tower, so you just eat knowing its there :)

This day started out pretty good. We immediately went into our tour of the city on the bus. It was not as much fun today. Everyone was much more serious about it and not as much joking. I thought I did good with the information and such but was not nearly as "on" as I could have been or even as I was the first time around.
We went over Golden Gate Bridge and  stopped in Sausalito. It reminded me of Tiburon which isn't far from there. We stopped for lunch and enjoyed the sunshine. There were so many people out, it was just packed. I could feel my anxiety in crowds showing up today. I haven't had that feeling in a while. I walked down to a deli and grabbed some food and ate by the water. Today was the blessing of the boats and the Bay was FULL of yachts! It was such a view back to the city today. Yachts everywhere and music in the yacht clubs.
I had a great stroll to the marina and watched the yachts coming out into this really busy channel. It must take some serious navigating to manage all those boats! What a sight!
After lunch we went up to a vineyard called Viansa. Modeled after a Tuscan winery. Pictures didn't do it justice. What an amazing place that was! Beautiful villa set among the grapes and olive trees. Oh and the wine! Wow! Amazing stuff. You can't get it anywhere but from the winery. They grow their own grapes and have some really good food and olive oil from their land as well. Pretty cool!

On our way back they took us to Fort Point which is just below the Golden Gate Bridge. what a view today. We just had a quick stop there and then we were off again.

We headed back to the office to get our "assignments" for the overnight trip to Yosemite National Park. Oh boy. I cannot wait. I made the big mistake of picking Mariposa. Google it, its a HUGE topic. We have to speak for 5-8 minutes on our topic this time and to a bus full of people we won't know either. I just have to tell myself that I am just giving a tour to my family and that will help. My family knows I like to do that. I subject them to my "tours" all the time. Really its just me filling the car with commentary. Ha!

After I got back to the hostel and took a mini break, Blake called and was headed to City Light Bookstore. what a great place that is. Not alot of books but totally different things to be found there. Then we wandered further down Columbus Street. Thats when we found the pastry.

On our way back to Union Square we passed through Chinatown and saw a Chinese jam session. Never seen that before. It was like the good ole boys just sitting around playing music, being encouraged by their community of friends. What an interesting place when you think about it. They all live there, make their livings there, raise their families etc. And they must just sit back and watch the waves of people coming through there. I mean, that is their home, we sometimes forget that I think. Its like an amusement park or major attraction and what you don't get is that they walk up the stairs to go to bed.

My roommates just returned to the room. They are two girls from Stuttgart. They are getting up early early tomorrow to go to Yosemite of all places! They catch the bus at 6:20am, can you believe it? Its a one day trip so it will be a really long day for them. Wow. I told them to take good notes because I was going there soon, they thought that was really funny.

I will lay here tonight and think of everything I did and remember something I am just sure of it. It was just a great night following a big long day. The temperature couldn't be better and Blake and I had some great chats. This class is not conducive to us all getting to know every little thing about each other, that is really a bummer I think. We don't really even know each others last names. I just found out the other day that Jan has cats. You know, things like that. In a business where we refer our friends and network etc its not easy to do that here when we are all together. We are all staying around the city too so no one goes back to the hostel or hotel and recounts the day.

Tomorrow night we are headed to the cheap seats at the baseball game, the tickets are less than a meal in this city. So that is good. I am excited for that. I won't even tell you what my pastry costs. I say costs because I'm certainly going back for another one!

Off to bed I guess. Tomorrow we don't start class until 10 am. So once my roommates leave I'll get to go back to bed. It really is my turn to be woken up early. I've been doing that to them for days now!

The Diner Affect

I think its funny that I walk into an American Diner and not one American is behind the counter. What happened to all the Americans? When I go to a diner I want to be waited on by an American. Isn't that funny? America is such a melting pot that no matter what place you chose to eat you're likely being served by someone not from that country? And isn't it funny to even have that expectation? It just hit me tonight. I think it upsets me a little. I really am becoming old and grouchy :)
Today at lunch in an Italian restaurant I was waited on by someone from South America. At dinner at the diner I was waited on by an Asian woman and a Hispanic man was cooking. The most hilarious part is being in Venice Italy and being waited on by someone from Asia. I want to go to Italy and be woo'd and wowed by a grand loud Italian person.
Does hunting for the authentic make me prejudice? I'm starting to wonder. I am certainly not rude to them and I know everyone has to make a living but I think its time I shifted my expectations to always being ready for a surprise.

Well, enough rambling about things that could get me in trouble. This morning I had a nice early stroll around the city on my way to the classroom for my resume session. As with all cities early in the day its so nice to have this one to myself in the morning. People are not out yet, shops aren't open, bums are still waking up. Its really nice.
At the classroom I had a good chat about all my experience and am encouraged that its okay that I've done so many differenty things. Nothing like seeing your entire working life reduced to a few key words. Amazing how that works.

Once I was all done with that my classmate Chris and I headed down to the Ferry Building where they have a big Saturday market set up. We checked it all out and then headed inside where the more permanent shops are located. Chris bought a cone of meat, really delicious cured meat! Wow, just like the kind in Spain. I had a gelato (of course!) and then we wandered into the wine shop and he wanted to buy a present for his wife which mean we HAD to try some of the wines so we shared a flight of wine. It was fun. We met a local guy and he told us some of his favorite spots in the city. Which turned out to be entirely restaurants. Eating, that's what I'm talking about!
On our way out we walked past a place with fresh oysters and they were HUGE so Chris bought us each one and we ate them while this black ladies watched in sheer horror! Oh what fun. They were so grossed out, but the oysters were so good!! Wow, cold and fresh tasting. And to our dismay they were not even from California! They were from Washington....how fresh does that really make them then?

We headed to North Beach (the neighborhood~I wish it were a beach) and on the way I ran into the Hyatt to use the bathroom and they were having a Dance Competition sponsored by Arthur Murray Dance School. How great was that! The costumes and the shoes and people trying their hardest to remember their steps. Oh it was great. I'd love to try that some day.

We walked around North Beach and found a place to eat and then walked back through Chinatown before we parted and I came back to the hostel to take a nap. Phew! Lots of early mornings and not alot of sleep, its getting to me! Right now I'm tired and I feel like I look sleepy but there is no point hurrying to bed. I don't have that early a wake up tomorrow.
Looks like my upstairs bunk mate is gone now and no one has checked in yet so the hostel must be slowing down finally.

We'll see what I find to kill time tonight. I wandered out a bit ago and it was just bums in my face and I could see up the street was like running a gauntlet so I turned around. Who needs it. They are so pushy here and some of them are mean.

I miss Portland I think!

Bridget Jones Moment

Saturday April 24 7:40am

I forgot to share the funniest thing that happened yesterday. As some of you know Bridget Jones has a great debate about wearing the stomach holding in panties. Well, I decided to wear mine yesterday for a different  reason than she , but still, I was wearing a skirt and I have that annoying problem of chub rub (you remember that from my time in Spain?) so I am walking around feeling pretty and it was a warm sunny day and I walk proudly through this little plaza where the people are all very good looking, I can't afford to sit down here, but I'm going to fake it. One table full of model types is speaking Italian and getting some sun and I'm so confident that I strut right through (plus I had to since it was the way out) and when I got to the street I moved my purse on my shoulder only to realize my shirt had been riding up and my stomach holding in panties were showing...the whole time. Super! No hope of snagging an Italian supermodel with giant granny panties on full view. Wow, I am awesome!

Just a quick share. I'm off soon to have my resume worked on and my photos done by a guy. We'll see what he comes up with. The sun is out again, I can't wait to get out there and walk around! I'm going to try and "interview" some locals to see if I can come up with some good stuff for my bus tour. Should be interesting!

Friday Night Lights (Sirens and Horns and Trucks oh my)

this hostel bed is like being a part of the action and this seems to be a major street for accidents and ambulances. Sheesh.

Blog catchup

Internet has been lousy and then my computer hasn’t been working.

I’ve been remembering why I love this city so much. Especially as the sun was shining yesterday and today and my favorite thing happened today too. The fog rolled in. It didn’t make it as far as I am but I could see it coming and I remember what that was like. The fog would race into the city and slowly creep over the hills and fill the streets and it was great to watch it and feel the air and see the fingers of fog. Ah!

Today we went to the airport for our class. We talked about greeting guests, helping them through customs and also about dropping them off at the right gates etc. pretty interesting stuff actually. Considering I’ve flown a bit and it seems like common sense but when you think of getting a group together and counting bags and lost luggage and where is the bus. It becomes a lot more!

We headed to the office of our school today. Its in a different part of town and so we were able to explore a little and I had a great time! The sun was out, I found some great spaces and some great scenery! It makes me want to just walk around and see what there is to see.

I sat at Starbucks and worked on my resume stuff and also on my city notes. Tomorrow we meet with the instructors to review our qualifications etc. Should be interesting to see what they glean from my notes on my work history. I think quite a bit of it relates to this job its just a round about way. After that meeting a few of us are going to walk to the Saturday market and then walk through some neighborhoods and review our notes etc. I might be buying a bus pass I think, that way I can hop on all sorts of transport and get around. There are some parts of this city I’m not really familiar with. And some we’ve driven through and I just want to see them on foot now.

Sunday we do the city tour again and then instead of ending up at Fisherman’s Wharf we cross Golden Gate Bridge and have lunch in Sausalito and then head up to the wine country for a wine tasting at a winery (duh, where else I guess??). Oh boy! It will be a long day but great fun! I can’t wait. I love California, there is just so much to see and do here.

The next big thing will be where am I going to live to do this job. Boise probably won’t be it. Not a lot of this kind of work there and the other different parts of this job won’t be as plentiful there either. So we’ll see what happens.

I had to have breakfast next to the moncher again today. Ugh. The loudest monching eater you’ve ever heard. I mean, close your mouth or something! Wow. I tried to do some reading in the kitchen the other day and they had this annoying metal music on (at 7:15am its harsh okay!) and then the moncher. So much for a usable common area. That is one thing hostels should focus on. It’s the meeting place of all travelers. There is one on the second floor but a big huge group of Germans has taken it over so there isn’t a place to sit and hang out there.

Back to my group at school. It’s time now for us to really get to know each other and the fighting part of the group dynamic is appearing. The tired and annoyed and hungry bears are showing up and we’re learning about that side of each other. It’s pretty funny. Today I was a big grumpy bear about lunch time. It was hot and we were tired and hungry and I was marching to the food today! Ha! I had spaghetti marinara and it was really good stuff!

I spotted Hermes and Prada stores today. Whoa! I can’t even afford to window shop those stores!

yeah, I did it! My internet has been really iffy! My classmate Chris fixed my computer this afternoon so I'm up and running again. Phew! I miss writing!

Twice the city (Look kids, Twin Peaks)

No photos this time I do not trust this weird internet I've got at the moment. Sorry, more to come. 

What a day! We met at the lobby of our hotel (the one we all pretend we can afford to stay in!) and then we were led to the bus and met our driver and our guide for the day.

She is what they call in the biz a local guide. So as a tour director I’d come into a city with my group and potentially turn the show over to the local guide and then take over at the end of it. Pretty sweet deal. You see a lot and learn a lot but someone else does all the talking. It’s great. I had my chance at the microphone in the bus today and it was great fun. I just love that part. People said I seemed comfortable and it was easy listening. That is good to hear. I really like talking in front of people so it comes easy for me. Now if I really know my stuff I’d be having a lot of fun telling people everything!

I have a great class, I’ve mentioned them before but haven’t really described them. Some young ones, undecided ones, older but still young at heart. Its great fun. There are 4 guys all young and really funny and they come from all over the US.

So, back to today I guess. We did a big circle of the city. 4 hours worth of riding around in a Motorcoach. We saw a lot of stuff and we learned a lot. I definitely can see some places I’d love to spend time in but this being such a large city its hard to see myself trekking to some of them. We did that tour up until lunch and then had a nice break at Fishermans wharf (which is overrated I think) and then we took turns leading the same tour route and talking for the group. That was my mic time. We thought we’d talk about something we knew but we just had to jump up and give a talk about whatever we were driving past, with some help of course. I had to cover a district I’m not at all familiar with so that was a little hard but it was okay.

After class a few of us walked up to Chinatown and had a great look around and found a really good cheap Chinese (imagine that~in Chinatown) place to eat. It was one of those moments where you close your eyes and point at a door and there you have it. This time we were helped by mamma who was waving at us from across the street. She was great. Very nice and not too pushy.

So far I’ve had Thai, Irish, Chinese, and American Diner J

I just seems I’d have so much to say in my blog and then I sit here and draw a blank. My hostel seems as busy as ever. I thought most of the travelers here were stranded due to the flights being cancelled with the volcano but they are still here. It does go to show how many travelers there are in this city. Being a true tourist today it was amazing how many tour buses there were and how many people were not speaking English. San Francisco really is a popular destination. But it makes good sense. There is a lot of things to see and a lot of national icons here too if that is the right way to describe it. Things you see and immediately associate with the US or San Francisco specifically. As I’ve said now a couple of times I really love Portland and I think its just trumped San Fran on my list of favorites. I don’t know.

Sunday we are taking another bus tour out over the Golden Gate Bridge and into Sausalito and then to Wine Country (not sure about that officially) should be fun.

Friday is Airport day, that is going to be really cool and we’ll be behind the scenes which is going to be great! We will meet with Homeland Security and TSA people too. All about getting our groups through customs etc

Funny story not related to today. I came back to the hostel Tuesday for lunch. I had intended to have some soup and I wanted to warm it up in a pot on the stove. So I got all prepped and went to the kitchen and proceeded to hunt in every cupboard for a pot to boil water in. I looked high and low, in every cupboard, in every closet that wasn’t locked. Everywhere. I was really bummed. I couldn’t find anything to use! So I came back to my room and made a peanut butter and jelly sandwich instead. Later that same day I came back to the hostel from my class and was telling the girls in my dorm about the hunt for pots and pans and Jenny says “they were hanging up”. Literally right in front of my face. A rack of pots and pans to make momma proud and I hadn’t even noticed they were there. The ironic thing is I make my breakfast right below them every day and I hadn’t noticed them. Wow. My powers of observation are amazing!!

Sunny Day in San Francisco

Great class today. Loads of information. I had a really nice walk at lunch time. A lot of interesting bums here.
Gosh, I'm at a loss for words. I'm tired. I've been helping my dorm mates with their planning. They are suffering through exactly what I went through in Europe last year. Where to go, what to do, how to get there, how much money. Its been fun for me and interesting to see whats out there. Turns out its not easy to get around the US. Amtrak and Greyhound run on one schedule going and coming so you are totally at their mercy. And then to do trips out is nearly impossible if you can't afford a car. Its really too bad. I should start a company that charters buses so to speak, it would make getting places easier, for travelers only.

Tomorrow early we catch our sightseeing bus to see the City. We've been given the route so that we can study up. In the afternoon we take turns being on the microphone. Oh boy!

I am tired and ready for bed. We ran to Lori's Diner for a dessert and were served by a man with amazing french manicured finger nails. Only in San Fran.

Clearly unclear

Wow, that last blog yesterday was really a mess it seemed like. I reread it just now and I can see what I was trying to say but I didn't write it to make any sense. What a mess. I got up early this morning to kind of get moving and now I've got nothing but time to kill for an hour. I went to breakfast and reread my home work from last night. Which is good considering the state of my blog yesterday, I was probably not thinking clearly when I read it.
I've just been thinking about my last job. Turns out I don't really miss it. Imagine that. I really liked the job and I liked talking to travelers all day, that was really enjoyable. But its so much more enjoyable to be out. I can't even describe it. I just feel good. I feel healthy and full of energy and excited about what I'm seeing. Its a great feeling and I can't wait to have that each time I take a tour. Its like psychologically my mind says okay body you're in great shape, no more pains or sadness or anything. And viola! Its great.
So, today we learn about getting prepared for a tour and also handling groups etc. Not quite sure, I'm sure I'll have a recap tonight if I'm thinking clearly.

After class yesterday we had a wine tasting, that is one thing I didn't mention. So we sat in class from 1-6pm with no snack food (luckily I'd packed some) and then they opened up 7 bottles of delicious wine for us to try oof! They wanted us to learn some things about wine because that is a big part of our tour directing is to recommend local wines or good wines we've tried or heard of. It was great. I think we have a few more of those coming up as well :)

At breakfast I sat next to the loudest apple eater you've ever met and on the other side of me was a crazy lady talking to herself about how stupid something was, she was ticked too! So, now all my roommates are up and we're having a good laugh about Abby's walk around the city yesterday. You should have seen how far she walked. My goodness!

Okay, I'm off.

Who's who, What's what, Why! Why!

I am so excited. Should I stop saying that now? I had my first day of class and it was great. There are 17 of us in the class and we met all the instructors and got a who's who of the industry etc. It was only a half day and we didn't cover alot. It was mostly stories of tours and then they covered what we are going to be doing! Amazing. We're going to Yosemite, I can't wait.

I had a nice short walk around the city today before class began. It was a nice day out again. A bit cool but still nice. The class meets on the 25th floor of a hotel in town so we had a view out to the Bay Bridge and almost the Pyramid building. Wow, I should know its name but I don't. Transamerica building?

My table mate was from Hungary. Budapest. She is fantastic too. Very friendly and speaks English well but doesn't grasp our concepts very well so we had some funny misunderstandings. I guess the class was fun because I was suddenly surrounded by people all wanting to do the same thing and that means a room full of personality and alot of them were blowing in the wind as my mom says. It was pretty funny when this late forties woman said "I don't know what I want to be when I grow up" that cracks me up. I'm thinking if I like this this would be what I want to do when i grow up.
So tomorrow is more classroom stuff and then Wednesday we do a tour of San Francisco. We take a tour and then we lead the same tour in the afternoon. I can't wait for that microphone. I hope I'm okay at it! Today I think I was nervous when i took the mic to introduce a class mate but I think it was okay. One of the girls in my class just had a book published. Its called "Hello Kitty Must Die" her name is Angela Choy. She is debating about taking the class, she says she is really scared about the unknown. I'm not even sure what she means :) I can't wait.

So, not alot going on today it seems like but I'm tired already and excited to go to bed. Tomorrow is an earlier start.

Slow train to San Francisco

I'm here! I made it! Its now evening time in this fantastic city and I'm so excited to be here!

I was dropped off at Union Station in Portland on Saturday afternoon around 1 pm. I had a completely full backpack (similar sight to my arrival in Barcelona last June) and found myself wanting to use the bathroom. Ugh. So once again I backed myself into the stall, found there was no hook for my other bags and had to dangle not one but two bags around my neck whilst trying to balance the giant bag on my back and take off my pants to tinkle. (Hello, GoGirl?!) What a work out. I had to check my pack again, its weighed in at 41 lbs. Sheesh Karen! When will I learn?? Soon...class starts tomorrow. I'll know better what to expect and can pack accordingly.
So I sat at the station and waited for my big slow train to lumber up. The benches are full of people but it was pretty quiet so I enjoyed my time until I boarded the train.
Once on the big slow train I realized quickly how long 18 hours was really going to be?! I mean, why bother Amtrak! Speed up! Whats to problem, we saw nothing but farmland the entire way, we were in industrial zones of citys and towns and yet we slowly made our way.
My seat mate was a real piece of work. My gosh, really loud voice and very chatty. We were assigned seats by a guy so I had no choice and she was going further than me so I was stuck with her.

I wrote in my journal:
Rocking train and toilet are really hilarious. I almost fell down. Its alot harder to hover over it when it keeps moving and not to mention there is nothing to hold on to that isn't disgusting or slippery...don't ask. Blech!
A similar sort of people ride the train as ride the greyhound. But this train is way more comfortable, you can stretch out almost entirely and its quieter for some reason. If only it went at a faster speed.

Well its now 7:15 am I guess I slept a little my seat mate returned to her seat and was totally smashed, so already obnoxious and then drunk. And she fidgets. She awoke some time before that and had an absolute sneezing fit but the really snotty wet sneezes. Oh man, yuck! She just ended up wiping it on her pillow. After she recovered from that she got her chewing tobacco out and found a container to spit into and it was really vile. Right after that she got up and went to the lounge car. Yeah!

I arrived in Emeryville at the station and then caught a bus to take me into San Francisco. It was fantastic! The sun was out, the driver put on oldies music and we jammed our way into the city. I've never seen such a view as that either! Being that high up on a bus is really the way to go. I was dropped off at the Ferry Building and caught my breath before my darling friend Walter showed up to pick me up! What fun!

We found the hostel okay and the hotel I'll be having classes at. Its literally within spitting distance. We drove to Golden Gate Park and found a really amazing place to eat. Called Park Chow. I had the most amazing pancake I've ever eaten, in my life, I'm not even kidding. Go there, eat one!

Then I got to go to the BEACH!!  It was great! We just sat there and listened to the waves and the people and it was just what I needed!

I am now, like I said above, all checked into my room, I've completely moved in and made a big mess. My two roommates are from England. Dorset area. Weymouth, I can't believe it! I missed a train there once remember? When I was coming home from Gloucester.

We put our heads together about a market, guess what, there isn't one near by. Guess where it is?? Up a hill? And there is only one kind of hill here. STEEP! Phew! I went scouting by myself and had the most amazing walk!! At the top of the street (california) you get a view down all sides of the city it seemed like. So pretty! And me without my camera...I know, what was I thinking.

So now I'm back in my bedroom having recovered from my walk and am about to go to bed. I'm tired!

I'll upload some photos pronto! So glad to be writing again and out here seeing this big world again. Portland is so amazingly small and beautiful compared to this big city but I do like it here.

Packed and Ready

I've gotten all my stuff in my backpack. Now I just sit by teh door and wait for 2pm Saturday to roll around. I don't have a job. It hit me today. A little scary. Though its going to be okay its just amazing to leave a perfectly good job and be off again to find something new.
I got my final shopping done and the last load of laundry is in the washer so I am literally passing the time until I go.
I had a great last day of work. I ignored my coworker all day until she was gone and then enjoyed my goodbyes as people were leaving. One of the guys there said a prayer for me which I really appreciated. It was thoughtful of him. I did some last minute shopping too and tried to wrap up what unfinished business I had with my customers. I certainly hate to turn them over to my coworker but I do hope the new person will be good to the people I've met here in Portland. I really liked this store. The shoppers are a totally different type than in Boise. Even taking their passports photos struck me as funny. People in Portland must have all learned at a young age to turn there heads in a pose for a photo. I had the darndest time getting them to straighten their heads to look right at me. For some it seemed almost unnatural. I always got a laugh out of that.
So, now I shift gears and think hostel again. I've packed some food this time and done my clothes a little differently to see if I can make life simpler. I don't have to lug my bag all over the place which will really help so its pretty full. I have alot of travel type things in there and when I get home I can blitz my wardrobe and pack only packable things. I'm not very good at that still which annoys me. But I'm sure with this new adventure I'll be a real pro before I know it.
I found a good book at goodwill to read on the way to San Francisco and that will be good. My computer battery won't last 18 hours and neither will my Ipod (will it?) so I've got other entertainment. I snagged some travel brochures from the travel agency so I could study up a little bit.

Its going to be great. On the move again.

Blue Monday

Its Monday morning. Today my coworker comes back after 3 blissful months without her. Thank goodness I will only be here 4 more days. I'm ready to get out of here for sure! I'm ready to get on with it and start the next thing. This transition reminds me of the last big transition. By the time it was time to go I was ready, I'd talked about it and dreamed about it and planned it and there was only so much I could do until it was time to take off.
This time I know a little bit about what i'm going to be doing. They post the school itinerary online so you can see every day. Should be a really busy couple of weeks but loaded with fun stuff.

Friday night Jaci and I went to see the Rose City Rollers (Break Neck Betties). It was great fun. Roller Derby. I always get a laugh and its fun to people watch. They skate in a hangar across the parking lot from the big roller rink. Not sure why that is but its fun. A little room full of fans cheering and jeering. Pretty fun!

This week should hold a few more fun things and then its time to go. I can't wait to come back here and visit with a car and some money and then things will be on my terms a little bit better. Right now I'm stuck. Its an okay kind of stuff though.

Soon and very soon.

Night in Baghdad (Theatre)

Last night I had the chance to go see some short flims made by people who love water sporst. Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing. They were all over the map. Great stories about how they had an idea and they planned and went for it and we got to see how it went. It was great.
And seeing them all playing around outside made me wish I was still out there into that kind of thing. At least the urge to get outside still exists for me and that may steer me to jobs coming up that are related to being outside and playing around! What fun.
The Baghdad Theatre is a fantastic place! Very colorful and big. Its a pub and theatre and there are tables in front of every row of chairs so you eat and drink there while you watch movies.
Tonight is the Roller Derby. I can't wait to go! I've talked Jaci and Devin into going with me and that will be fun. I'll finally catch a bout in Portland before I leave here.
Yesterday I had a fun time looking up things to see and do while in San Francisco. Turns out there are alot of fun things to see and do (which I knew already) and so now its a matter of deciding! I think we're sightseeing as part of my class there so I'll probably learn some new things about the city, which will be really great fun.

Today the management in this building is at a conference off site. You wouldn't believe how many managers and supervisors we have here (too many!) and so this place is basically a ghost town! We are all trying to figure out what we can do to celebrate while the cats are away.
We'll see how it goes.

On the Countdown!!

Only a week left until I'm done with work. Seems familiar :) It will be almost a year since I had that same observation! Oh boy!
I've been having trouble with internet at home so keeping up with this has been tough! I have been receiving updates on the class in San Francisco and I can't wait to get there and learn some new things. Its going to be great. And in San Francisco. One of my favorite places!
In the mean time I'm now trying to fit things in before I leave here. Walking Tours, BBQ's, restaurants and people to visit etc. I think I'll fit it all in.
I had a fantastic dinner at the Delta Cafe here in Portland. Wow, amazing amounts of food and really really good. Tonight I check off another McMenamins location from my list. Saturday I've got more exploring to do and then next week its bike races and dinners and then of course packing. My train ride will be pretty grueling and I'm thinking they won't have plug ins for computers so I'll be out of luck for some of the trip.
Lets see, I wrote a bit in word so that I could paste it in here, lets see what I said?
Oh yeah...a few days ago...
I sat with Jaci and we talked a little bit about careers. Its always a funny subject to me because I’ve had so many. She is 10 years younger than me and its amazing to hear her talk about her struggles with what she wants to do in life. Tell me about it lady! She sounds just like me. Lots of things she wants to do, no specific idea what the job title looks like.

I told her what I’d learned and about the books and internet career tests she should try out. I felt a little bit like a wise old maid telling hopeful stories to the young. I hope I can help her. I know what its like to struggle with that sort of uncertainty.

I think to catch you up…I moved to Jaci’s apartment last Thursday evening. I’ve been moved into the spare room with my bags and its working out just fine. We are not in eachs others spaces much and its good we get along so well. I am so glad. I like it here a lot better than with Peter and Big Bear. They just went back to doing their own thing. Life goes on.

I’m getting more excited about this new adventure every day. Time is flying by for me now! I’ll soon be off to try something new. Though I think its just a great combination of the things I’ve been doing up till now really anyways.

The blogs will be more interesting finally. I'll start moving and seeing things and can upload photos like I was doing. California always provided me with plenty of stories. 

3rd Address is the charm?

My final jumping off point. I've moved in with Jaci and her boyfriend. They have a little condo in Beaverton. Its great fun. I enjoy it more than Peters house, they are closer to normal on the scale of crazy to normal. I got the final stuff mailed off and the food got moved to Jaci's house and now I'm left with a bag of clothes and travel items for the next month. Once I get a few travel clothes packed I'll be ready to hit the open road.

I am getting excited to get going. This next couple of weeks is going to fly by! I only have 16 days left here.

This weekend I'll be doing some thrift shopping with Jaci and then seeing a museum with Leslie and for Easter I've been invited to Jaci's families gathering. That should be fun! I am kind of excited! I will miss my family this year.

Wow, i thought I had more to say but I really don't. I'm so tired of all this moving around. I'm so glad today I'm all done with major stuff. Now its just remembering to change addresses and cancel things and find some clothes I can wear over and over and over again.

So, happy Friday. Sacha and Jaci and I are headed out to Mexican food tonight, that will be fun.