Trip to the USA (Day 2)

Friday, September 3, 1999

We woke up at 7:30 am (no alarm clock necessary, we were still on German time) and had a huge breakfast including eggs, hash browns, pancakes and toast. Okay, it may not sound so extraordinary to Americans, but in Germany breakfast normally means a cheese sandwich or a roll with butter and jam.

Then we looked for the nearest CalTrain Station and went to San Francisco. In the morning, it was quite cold and cloudy, but the weather improved during the day. The plan was to spend the day walking around the city and get a first impression of it. Also, we wanted to book a hotel for the last days of our trip. We had made a reservation for a rental car from September 4 through 26 and planned to spend the last days in San Francisco again.

On the way from the CalTrain Station to Union Square, we visited the Yerba Buena Gardens briefly and stopped at the Moscone Convention Center. It was the last day of Seybold, and we were able to use the Internet access and send some emails home.

Cable Car: Sep 3rd, 1999: Cable car on Powell Street between Market and Ellis. (001)

Turntable: Sep 3rd, 1999: Cable car turntable at the corner of Powell Street and Market Street. (002)

When we reached the Powell Street Cable Car Turntable, it was bright, sunny and warm! Of course, we had to watch some Cable Cars to be turned and were stunned by the masses of tourists who were waiting patiently to catch a ride there.

Union Square: Sep 3rd, 1999: Union Square as seen from the corner of Powell Street and Geary Street. (003)

After a little break at Union Square, we found an affordable room on Bush Street, between Powell and Mason, only three blocks from the Chinatown Gate.

Chinatown Gate: Sep 3rd, 1999: The Chinatown Gate on the corner of Grant Avenue and Bush Street. (004)

We spent the afternoon walking around leisurely in Chinatown and the Financial District before returning to our hotel late in the afternoon.

Pyramid: Sep 3rd, 1999: The Transamerica Pyramid, 600 Montgomery Street, 853 feet high. (005)

Bay Bridge: Sep 3rd, 1999: The Oakland Bay Bridge. (006)

Back at the hotel, André called Bob Bierman. He lives not far from the airport and arrived within 15 minutes, bringing his son Alex along.

On vacation: Andre and I in the US (September 3rd, 1999)

After some business (including taking a photo of André for the UserLand Website) he invited us for dinner. Bob took us to a restaurant in San Mateo “that has not much of an atmosphere, but the food is good”. And it was!

We went to bed early because we were still a little jet-lagged and wanted to get an early start the next day.

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One thought on “Trip to the USA (Day 2)”

  1. Oliver

    Ah, San Francisco!

    Sweet memories. Get to go there in May. (WWDC!) There is a little chinese restaurant at the cable car tracks right on the edge of chinatown. It´s got tons of business cards stuck to the wall. Great and affordable food, but so small you practically sit in the kitchen and the family living room is just behind a curtain.

    Delicious!

    Cheers,

    Oliver.

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