Shortly after I returned from Asheville, I had a few days in Denver where finally the single digits had ended and the coldest January overall on the books was turning into a not-so-terrible February. Mind you there has been snow (as it will begin to snow tonight again) but it has been punctuated by days of 40, 50 degree weather and even one glorious 60 degree day.
For some strange reason, my hives that were diminishing returned with a vengeance leaving me polka dotted and streaked, not to mention very itchy and grumpy. I laid low in preparation for my trip to San Francisco.
I flew out last Thursday to meet Brian who flew in from Honolulu. It was funny, he was concerned about not having warm enough clothes and I was concerned that my clothes would be too warm. It is all a frame of reference. I was looking forward to what was forecast to be a glorious weekend-and SF did not disappoint.
We stayed at the Triton Hotel, which is a delightfully funky boutique hotel with brilliant colors, arresting patterns, adventurous fabrics and cookies served at 3pm (wine at 5p). The headboard, a zebra print matched the bathrobe! The hotel overlooked the China Gate--a perfect place to welcome the New Year. We welcomed in the year of the Fire Pig.
We spent our first day at MOMA SF which was free. They had some great photography exhibits, though 2 floors were closed due to new installations. We also walked around Chinatown looking for a Year of the Boar t-shirt. We had a delicious Chinese lunch after which I needed to nap since I had awoke at 4 am to catch the plane and my antihistamine was still flowing. Afterwards, I met one of Brian's best friends, Helisa Katz, who is a Jewish lesbian that is a sign interpreter and who specializes and is piloting new methods of working with deaf and hard of hearing infants. Meeting her with her delightfully frizzy Jewish coif and huge smile, one can instantly understand how perfect it is that she works with children. No doubt, they love her.
The next day was a little taste of spring. We explored Golden Gate Park and in its botanical gardens signs of spring were in bloom. Japanese magnolias and cherry blossoms were magnificent--as were the small yellow flowers on the expanses of lawn. Walking around the park was exhilarating. It was good to be with Brian. We hustled back to the hotel in order to see Beach Blanket Babylon--the longest running cabaret show. A lighthearted, big costumed, wacky musical review about Snow White's search for love amidst politics, pop culture and golden oldies. It is a San Francisco institution. We finished the evening off with dinner at the Stinking Rose- a garlic restaurant! Yummy! And Brian had gelatto of which I only had a taste. We had a leisurely mile walk back to the hotel.
The next day we explored the Castro-- who knew but it was an Internation Bear Convention. We spent some time at the Human Rights Campaign Store where I met Justin who has just moved to SF from Atlanta. We commiserated on the politics of GA which was the main reason he chose to leave. We walked around Dolores Mission Park and everyone was out on this stunningly beautiful and warm day. There was hardly any green left uncovered from the throngs of people. What a great sight!
That evening Helisa joined us as we went to see the world premiere of Legally Blond: The Musical. This serious piece of drama told of the harrowing and brave story of Elle Wood's journey to Harvard. Not! This pepto bismol of a music was anything but abysmal. Fun, light, fluffy and fast paced; it was an enjoyable piece of cotton candy theater with a bit (only a bit) more substance than the actual confection.
Sunday we battled the throngs of people in Chinatown as we took in the small festival for New Years. The major parade was taking place on March 3rd. Brian shopped for gifts to bring back to his office while I kept an eye open for my sister's birthday present. We walked all the way to Fisherman's Wharf to see the Sea Lions which were there usual lazy and antagonistic selves. On the way, we cheered on the bikers from the Tour de California. We topped off our evening in a Korean Karaoke house with private rooms where we met up with half a dozen of Brian and Helisa's friends. My rendition of YMCA brought everyone to their feet and tears to people's eyes. I guess my voice lessons are not paying off.
Monday--we shopped a tad more back in C-town and made our made to the airport. I kept scratching my head: "Why Denver? Why not San Francisco?" What a great city!
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