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!
And so the adventure begins :)
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