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!