Capturing the memories

There is so much I could write about my week in the Bay Area...so many wonderful, magical moments. So many perfect memories. It was without a doubt a divine week. What made it so special was all the time Jen and I spent together. And to be together doing the things we love - namely eating and shopping - it doesn't get any better.

On Friday morning (23/9) we had breakfast at Kensington Inn, a diner not far from their house. After this we did some shopping on Solano Street then headed into San Francisco. After driving through the Mission district we went to Noe Valley and checked out Brad and Jen's old home. Beautiful and central to everything. We shopped on 24th Street and picked up some great stuff (pants and a sweater that I walked out of the shop wearing they were so comfortable). We checked into Hotel Vitale and I crashed. Such a gorgeous room and all I could do was lay comatose on the bed (I'd been awake since 4am). I revived and we got dolled-up and headed off to Butterfly lounge. Which turned out to be a longer walk than we'd been lead to believe! It was worth it as I drank a Cosmopolitan and met Suzanne, Michelle and Tracy. Great women. We broke the itinerary and stayed longer than 1 hour (!) but still made our 8.45pm reservation for Slanted Door. The place was jumping and the food divine. That crab/noodle dish was to-die-for. Jen's tummy was playing up so meant that I ate most of the food...which wasn't an uncommon event.

Saturday (24/9) was another gorgeous, sunny warm day. The view from our room onto the Ferry Market Building and across the Bay Bridge was stunning. We ate breakfast from stalls at the outdoor Farmer's Market then shopped indoors. Lunch was at Green's at Fort Mason so after checking out of our hotel we made our way over to that direction. We arrived a bit early so took a wander round some of the back streets of this fancy area. The architecture of the houses and apartment buildings was fascinating. Lunch was well worth the wait, a vegetarian restaurant that was innovative and delicious. Another stand-out meal in a superb location right on the Bay.

We swung by Pete and Nancy's place after lunch as they were having a joint birthday party for Pete and their 2yo Diego. The party hadn't started but it was fun to see their apartment. And quite a coincidence as 3 years ago in November they visited our apartment in Lausanne. After a short visit we made our way to the Union Square area and checked in to Andrews Hotel which was quite a contrast to the previous night's hotel. But it had charm and character and the breakfast in the hallway right outside our room the next morning was a total bonus. We did some shopping in Union Square but we were both pretty knackered. After nearly dining with the mafia at a little diner mentioned in my Lonely Planet book, we ended up at Max's Diner for a great meal of wings, salad and patty melt (all shared).

The next morning (Sun 25/9) we had our bran muffin and coffee from the set up in the corridor (it was all so fresh and yummy looking) we headed out (after requesting another late check-out). We really only hit Express and spent so much time there that it was time for lunch by the time we emerged. But we got some great tops for half price and it was well worth the time. We had lunch at Sears Fine Foods which was a hoot and stuffed ourselves full of pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausages and hash. Oh, I had a malt milkshake to start with which was a total appetite-squasher so I didn't make that mistake again (but such a yummy mistake).

We checked out of the hotel and headed over to Hayes Valley. My main memories of shopping there will be Willow the the gorgeous woman in the vintage clothes store (I bought a groovy t-shirt and Jen bought great jeans but we also left with hugs and tears and a feeling we'd made a real connection) and the manicure/pedicure we both got (at the same time) at the boutique just down the road from Willow's shop. Blissful, meaningful afternoon.

We were late heading out of San Francisco (plus got caught in traffic) which meant we were late picking Brad up from BART after his weekend in Mexico (a total success by the sounds of it). We all went out for dinner at Cafe Raj in Berkeley and had yummy Indian food. I missed the season premiere of Desperate Housewives and 'How Berkeley can you be?' but I wouldn't have wanted to miss any of my evening that I did have.

Late start on Monday, bit of time on Solano (buying wine from the cute and gorgeous man in the wine store amongst other things!) then headed out to San Anselmo. Crossed a big bridge (Richmond?) and saw San Quentin, the high-security prison in prime real estate location. We had lunch at Comfort, a busy cafe and shared a burger and chinese chicken salad. Also bought a chocolate cookbook there. Also hit another store there which featured craft and art mainly recycled and made by mostly locals. Jen bought a small painting which turned out to be painted by one of the women who owned the store. Jen also bought us each a bag made of recycled inner tube. I bought us each a silver bracelet (Jen's said 'life is like a bowl of cherries' and mine said 'eat dessert first') and a pair of earrings for me.

We headed back to Berkeley and picked up our pizza at Zachary's Pizza (the woman I sat next to on the Paris-SFO leg lived only 10-15mins from Berkeley and she mentioned Zachary's as a good place for pizza so it was a coincidence when we got our pizza from there...Cheeseboard is closed on Monday nights). Pizza party at Jen and Brad's place and I got to meet Paula and Chandrai, and to see Suzanne and Tracy again. Michelle couldn't make it, neither could Jill (the only person I didn't meet). It was a really fun night...so glad I got to meet all the women I've heard so much about.

Tuesday was more shopping, mainly at an outdoor mall called Bay Street where I hit Old Navy (mainly stuff for the girls) and back onto Solano and 4th Street. We had lunch at a restaurant called Downtown and walked around the the downtown area. That night we had a stand-out meal at a place called Dona Thomas, brilliant Mexican food. That night Jen packed my bags (and gave me an extra bag to take), what turned out to be all 51kgs of them (not counting my carry-on luggage)!! And Brad and I lay on my bed watching tv and eating reese's pieces.

Wednesday morning the three of us had a really good breakfast at Saul's in Berkeley, then Jen and I went for a walk arount the Berkeley marina (a lap took about 20mins). Did some last minute shopping at Adronicas on Solano (cereal, bagels, and I think this is when I bought the coffee mugs and tea pot...or maybe that was the night before). We came back to their place, loaded the bags, said goodbye to Brad and the house and left at 1pm. When we got to the airport we found out my flight, which was due to leave at 4.15pm was delayed till 11.45pm. What a gift! So after I checked my bags in (they didn't bat an eye at those 51kgs) we jumped in the car and Jen drove us to Burlingame. We did a lap there, then continued on the 101South to Palo Alto and straight to the Stanford Shopping Center. Had lunch at a diner there (hit the mark perfectly as it was past 3pm and we hadn't eaten since breakfast at Saul's), then hit the shops - mainly Bloomingdales (where I bought a grill pan of all things) and Macy's (we both bought hats, and I bought some star earrings and Jen bought some big groovy sunglasses). We left there at 7pm and headed back in the direction of the hotel (part of my compensation - hotel room, $20 food voucher and a phone card to call Michael). We crashed on the bed, then headed to the hotel restaurant which happened to be a diner (!) and order a Monte Cristo (even got the jam to go with it) and potato skins and drinks to go. And didn't pay a cent. We eventually left the hotel just before 10pm, Jen dropped me at the airport and we said our goodbyes...until we meet in NYC!