Happy Chinese New Year!

I spent the day in San Francisco. I had called Yuki last week to let her know I'd be in town and to ask if she wanted to have lunch. She said this week was fine. I called her from the train and we agreed that I would call when I arrived at Fisherman's Wharf (near her new office).

When I arrived, Yuki was nowhere to be found. I called her cell and no one answered. I walked along the tourist strip to Pier 39 and went to look at the sea lions. Their barks filled the air. A small crowd had already gathered. I bought and wrote a postcard and sent it in the mail. I called Yuki and told her I was going to go to the Legion of Honor. I ate at In'N'Out.

During dinner, Yuki called. She said she was free and gave me her address. She said her new office was in a converted movie theater. I'd know the office by the marquee outside.

Inside, the office was built in levels sloping down to where the screen would have been. I thought it was an interesting way to convert the space; Yuki was nonplussed. We walked around in search of lunch before Yuki decided on a Japanese place nearby. I had two pieces of unagi and edamame. Yuki had nabeyaki udon. I asked her about her trip home. She said it was so relaxing she experienced culture shock when returning to SF.

After leaving the restaurant, she pointed me to the 47 bus. One was waiting on the side of the street. Another pulled up, but the driver pointed us to the one behind him. There was no driver. "That one's leaving in two minutes; I'm leaving in ten," he said.

I took the bus around the northern end of the city and then back down Van Ness. At California I transfered to the 1 and rode almost all the way west to the water. Arriving at 32nd, I disembarked and walked up the stairs at the end of the street to find myself on a golf course. I asked a man in a cart the way to the museum. He pointed straight through the fairways and greens. "It's easiest if you just cut through," he said. "There's not too many people playing, but watch your head."

I took the direct route, walking as the crow flies. There were two special exhibits at the museum, Bonjour, Monsieur Courbet! The Bruyas Collection from the Musée Fabre, Montpellier and Windows Facing East: The Japanese Influence on European and American Prints. I had only 45 minutes to tour the exhibits. I was due to be home by 7 for new year's dinner.

Dinner was a huge spread: duck, fish, noodles, soup, meat, crab. We ate and then Yohan brought out a bottle of ice wine he had purchased in Canada. I'm not generally a fan of sweet wines, but this was something different. We toasted each other's health and left the table sated. Gung Xi Fat Chai!
Posted by eku at February 9, 2005 1:40 AM