Monday, July 21, 2008

Challenge answered, part four; Sunday pm

After lunch, we made our way to the bus stop to wait for a bus which would take us to the Golden Gate Bridge. The bus journey was amazing, travelling through the Golden Gate Park and the Presidio, yet another massive park in the north of the city. Wonderful smells and sights and all for free; or $1.50 without a pass, much better than an expensive tourist bus.

When we got to the bridge, it was as if we had just met one of the said buses as the whole place was rammed. In fact, from then on, wherever we went, we were followed by swarms of tourists; and not the nice kind.

Walking across the bridge was a really lovely experience. It was blowing a gale, the traffic was racing by and people walked across in droves. Essentially, we were just walking across a bridge, but it felt like you were getting a really good blow through - the wind whipping away any worries and leaving you utterly refreshed. The feeling didn't last long, but it was great while it did. The views were stunning. So stunning they broke my camera. The best part of all was the fact that a man proposed to his wife-to-be in a part of the bridge sheltered from the wind, and her face was a picture of purest delight. They asked a passer by to take a picture of them both, with her gleefully displaying her ring, and his chest puffed out in pride and probably relief, and the lucky picture taker was flushed with pleasure at being such a part of someones joy.

We only walked half way across and headed back. We knew there would be more walking to follow, and after all, Sunday is a day of rest. I don't know why I am justifying only walking half way across a 1.7 mile bridge. I walked half way across the Golden Gate Bridge, and I am proud. There!

Back on the bus to Fort Mason this time, a former army post, and now, a park. Three parks in one day isn't bad. An uphill stroll lead us back to Ghirardelli Square, with a nice symmetry.

I am not proud of what happened next, but warts and all, this was it:








Let's say no more about the matter, except $7.95 each [£4].

We were tired and decided to call it a day. To celebrate spending less than £30 each for a whole weekend of fun, we had a pint of the local steam beer, for $4 each in a horrible tourist bar. It was happy hour. I have never heard such a lie. Luckily, our total was still under £30 and we felt much better.

I should tot up now exactly what the money was spent on and maybe do a nice little chart, but I am not good at that sort of thing. No one who is reading this can possibly like charts, can they?

2 comments:

Matilda's Mum said...

ooh with charts involved you'll be coming over all Dave Gorman on us!

Mima said...

That ice-cream looks just so delicious, and I'm impressed by the bridge walk - if you walked 1/2 way across, then back, you covered the whole distance anyway!!