Road trip! Part 5: San Francisco

Friday was our day to wander around the city of San Francisco. We met Kent Soule at his apartment on Russian Hill to begin our tour. We were hungry and out for cheap Thai food in the city. Kent had found a Thai place within walking distance of his pad that was cheap although unknown. And so we set off, walking down lots of hills, looking at the sights. We ran into a couple guys that looked pretty hardcore and were looking for Haight & Ashbury. Kent directed them on how to get there and pointed out "St. Maytag's" to us. It's actually Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption, but San Franciscans call it St. Maytag because it looks like a washing machine agitator. It's certainly a shorter name.

It was a nice 15-minute walk to Sai Jai Thai at 771 O'Ferrell. It looked like a total dive, but in we walked. It was pristinely clean inside and decorated well. Part of the specials menu was written in Thai. They had a huge menu to choose from, and all of it looked awesome. OK, all of it but the fish balls. We ordered, and food appeared very quickly. It was stellar! I mean, I like almost any Thai food, but all 3 of us were blown away. I consider Kent a San Franciscan, and he's certainly eaten his share of Thai food, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Matthew, my cousin, graduated from Johnson & Wales, a culinary school, and has been to Vietnam. Both of them were totally wowed. They both got the pork shoulder, which was outstanding. I got the house specialty fried catfish. I was a little unsure about order something without coconut milk or peanuts, and there were a lot of bones in it, but it was yummy like WHOA. What was really impressive is that (1) the flavors are so clean and clear, not muddled at all, and (2) it's cheap! I got a huge plate of catfish for $7. Really really. If you're in San Fran, please do yourself a favor and eat there.

After dinner, we meandered around the city. Matthew & I were still a little hungry and were sheepishly looking for dessert places. We ended up sitting down to some lovely dessert crepes at The Crepe House on Gough. Really really yummy stuff, even if I did eat Nutella. We really did a lot of walking after that, going down to Fisherman's Wharf to see & hear fun things: a street musician, music from a nearby blues club, free samples & fun old machinery at Ghirardelli, a cigar shop, Trader Joe's. As we headed back up to Kent's place, we stopped in to an art academy that sits on a hill. It's got a beautiful courtyard and an amazing view of the city. Delightful! (One of the students was hanging out on the fountain, and he showed up to The Rent Party the next night. How funny!)

I must say that Kent is a great tour guide! On my last visit to San Francisco, he showed me around some of the most beautiful parts of the city, and I got some really beautiful photos.

At the end of the night, Matthew and I headed down Filbert Street past Kent's place which is unbelievably steep and a little scary at first. It is occasionally used for filming. We wanted to go fast, but we would have destroyed his truck. After the steep hill, we ventured down Lombard Street, the crookedest I have ever seen. It is SO windy. And so pretty, too. According to Kent, they used it recently for Candyland's hundredth birthday party. I loved that game as a kid! I wish I could have been there.

And with that, Matthew & I headed back to San Jose. Only we passed San Jose unknowingly and wound up much farther south before we realized it. We were chatting and forgot to pay attention. I miss my cuz. :)