A big part of my life before travel was how lonely I would feel. I worked hard and exhausted myself to the point where social interaction seemed like an unbearable option. Instead, I locked myself up in my room watching TV or or surfing online as it felt easier. I spent all day talking and fending off people that I just wanted a rest. I didn't want to talk to anyone. It sounds a bit sad and perhaps it was. You're forgetting that the last nine months before my trip, I worked two jobs. My brain was only just functioning.
It may surprise some of you, but travelling solo was far from lonely. I was always surrounded by new faces and exciting places. Every city runs at a different pace and you have to adapt and keep up. Thinking back, I'd have to try really hard to isolate myself. My times of loneliness came when I missed home and my closest friends. I did make new ones though and had a great support network in certain countries.
There is a way around everything with travel which is why it always seems so dream-like. When I constantly moved, problems that occurred were dealt with and then forgotten about. There's always so much to contend with that focusing all your energy on one particularly negative aspect of a day is wasteful. There's so much to see and do so what's the point in moping?
Now my life is static, I can't help but look back. Of course I only remember the best memories but life on the road was, in many ways, a lot easier. Dorothy said there's no place like home after landing in Oz but she only started moaning when things got tough. Not so long before, you could see Dorothy skipping up the yellow-brick-road with her new buddies. Being in an unfamiliar land with recently acquired friends provides a perfect distraction from reality. Problems fade, stress is a distant long-forgotten nightmare and all that matters is the here and now. It's exhilarating. Although Dorothy had exquisite taste in shoes, I was in no hurry to clack my heels and wish to be home.
*****
San Francisco does not run short in transport options. Light rail, bus, street car, cable car, metro...I even saw a guy peddling about on a unicycle. Granted, it's not for everyone, but this place has a mode of transport for everyone.
Although I didn't trust my unicycling skills, I did like the idea of adding another wheel to that equation and rent a bicycle. One of my favourite days in Kyoto, Japan was when I rented a bike.
My first priority was fuelling up so a hearty breakfast was needed. I fancied a fry-up. I think Andy's omelette the day before stirred my dormant morning taste buds that craved greasy fatty goodness. I found a couple of empty cafes and spotted an IHOP which is pretty much the American symbol for breakfast. It was rammed. I walked inside and families were huddled in a corner until their table was ready. I overheard someone say that the wait was 2 hours. Either IHOP is really good or everyone in San Fran had the same bacon-cravings as me. Dammit. Very rarely am I prepared to wait longer than half an hour for food. Unless it's being served by a naked Ryan Reynolds in a tiny strategically placed apron...ooof.
Instead, I settled for a pocket-friendly cooked breakfast from a nearby cafe. The hash brown took up half the plate! I shouldn't be so surprised, America do like to go big on everything. Who needs IHOP? Ha, not me.
Energised, I marched over to the bicycle rental place. A kind and rather dashing attendant assisted me in choosing my bike. I had the bog-standard, the mid-range with a comfy looking seat or an electric bicycle. I decided to go for the mid-range bike as I'd like a comfortable ride. I laughed at the idea of getting an electric bike and saw it as a waste of money. There's nothing wrong with my legs and it's not like I don't need the workout.
With that out of the way, I opened up the map I was given and asked for some tips on where to go after I'd tackled the bridge. I was told there's a beautiful view point not too far from the bridge. I circled the area and made a mental note to look out for any sign posts that mention Seal Rocks.
There was nothing else left but to follow the road round to the cycle path that leads to Golden Gate Bridge. I placed my belongings in the handy front-basket and fastened my bike helmet. I looked like a wally but I didn't fancy cracking my skull open.
Shakily, I began my journey to the bridge on the weird side of the road. You think it's strange driving a car on the wrong side of the road, try cycling! I felt like any moment a car would come along and clip me. I needn't have worried as the cycle lanes in America are very wide. I'm used to tucking in my elbows and taking a sharp intake of breath whenever I rounded a corner. If I had the balance, I could outstretch both of my arms and make an airplane noise...but then I really would be making full use of my bike helmet. I'd like to keep my clean record of no broken bones thank you very much.
There was no chance of getting lost as tourists meandered towards the bridge like competing daisy-chains. I stopped every now and then to take a few photos but it didn't take long until I was at the foot of the bridge.
My experience on the bridge itself was somewhat rushed. It was absolutely packed. Although there was a pedestrian lane and a cycle lane, there wasn't much room. I am glad I had my bike as I cycled half way along the bridge, paused, looked out and cycled to the end then back again. San Francisco's trademark rolling fog clung to the skyline whilst the arching sun punched through pockets of clearing. It was a beautiful view and no amount of tourists could ruin that.
At this point I must have taken at least 30 photos of the bridge. So I am as bad as the people on Lombard Street. I wanted to capture the bridge at varying angles to ensure I had a selection to look at later and choose my favourite shot. I took a few photos of the view and moved on. I couldn't wait to get off the bridge and away from the crowds.
There was still plenty of time left before I had to return my bike. I thought I'd be adventurous and deviate from the cycle path in search of Seal Rocks or whatever the guy at the shop said. I had a map, what could go wrong?
Oh dear. What was I thinking! Every film and TV show that's based in San Francisco shows panning shots of the Transamerica Pyramid building and then the mountainous streets. Two iconic symbols, a pointy building and hilly streets. It's not difficult to remember but after that day of cycling, I certainly won't forget it.
Now I know that people aren't pansies when they pay the extra few dollars for an electric bike. They are bloody smart-arses. I panted and I wheezed my way across to Lincoln Park and Eagles Point. I thought I came close to finding Seal Rocks but I failed in my mission. I took my bike down a dirt track but soon found out that bikes are not allowed. I noticed the signs about half an hour in after carrying it up and down several steps. I even got the odd puzzled look by a few clued-up locals.
One local power-walked past me with his bike resting on one shoulder and was completely caked in mud. He grinned at me as if to say - "Isn't this great? Wow I feel awesome." I tried to emanate the same sentiment rather than admitting failure.
It was reassuring to find that I wasn't the only one who made this error. A family decided to take their bikes down the same path just as I walked back up. They asked for my advice - as if my sweaty and dusty demeanor didn't already answer the question - and I recommended they go back and search for another way across. The mother agreed but the 'macho' dad and two peppy kids disagreed. I'm sure they found out the hard way like I did.
Instead, I settled for a pocket-friendly cooked breakfast from a nearby cafe. The hash brown took up half the plate! I shouldn't be so surprised, America do like to go big on everything. Who needs IHOP? Ha, not me.
Energised, I marched over to the bicycle rental place. A kind and rather dashing attendant assisted me in choosing my bike. I had the bog-standard, the mid-range with a comfy looking seat or an electric bicycle. I decided to go for the mid-range bike as I'd like a comfortable ride. I laughed at the idea of getting an electric bike and saw it as a waste of money. There's nothing wrong with my legs and it's not like I don't need the workout.
With that out of the way, I opened up the map I was given and asked for some tips on where to go after I'd tackled the bridge. I was told there's a beautiful view point not too far from the bridge. I circled the area and made a mental note to look out for any sign posts that mention Seal Rocks.
There was nothing else left but to follow the road round to the cycle path that leads to Golden Gate Bridge. I placed my belongings in the handy front-basket and fastened my bike helmet. I looked like a wally but I didn't fancy cracking my skull open.
Shakily, I began my journey to the bridge on the weird side of the road. You think it's strange driving a car on the wrong side of the road, try cycling! I felt like any moment a car would come along and clip me. I needn't have worried as the cycle lanes in America are very wide. I'm used to tucking in my elbows and taking a sharp intake of breath whenever I rounded a corner. If I had the balance, I could outstretch both of my arms and make an airplane noise...but then I really would be making full use of my bike helmet. I'd like to keep my clean record of no broken bones thank you very much.
There was no chance of getting lost as tourists meandered towards the bridge like competing daisy-chains. I stopped every now and then to take a few photos but it didn't take long until I was at the foot of the bridge.
My experience on the bridge itself was somewhat rushed. It was absolutely packed. Although there was a pedestrian lane and a cycle lane, there wasn't much room. I am glad I had my bike as I cycled half way along the bridge, paused, looked out and cycled to the end then back again. San Francisco's trademark rolling fog clung to the skyline whilst the arching sun punched through pockets of clearing. It was a beautiful view and no amount of tourists could ruin that.
At this point I must have taken at least 30 photos of the bridge. So I am as bad as the people on Lombard Street. I wanted to capture the bridge at varying angles to ensure I had a selection to look at later and choose my favourite shot. I took a few photos of the view and moved on. I couldn't wait to get off the bridge and away from the crowds.
There was still plenty of time left before I had to return my bike. I thought I'd be adventurous and deviate from the cycle path in search of Seal Rocks or whatever the guy at the shop said. I had a map, what could go wrong?
Oh dear. What was I thinking! Every film and TV show that's based in San Francisco shows panning shots of the Transamerica Pyramid building and then the mountainous streets. Two iconic symbols, a pointy building and hilly streets. It's not difficult to remember but after that day of cycling, I certainly won't forget it.
Now I know that people aren't pansies when they pay the extra few dollars for an electric bike. They are bloody smart-arses. I panted and I wheezed my way across to Lincoln Park and Eagles Point. I thought I came close to finding Seal Rocks but I failed in my mission. I took my bike down a dirt track but soon found out that bikes are not allowed. I noticed the signs about half an hour in after carrying it up and down several steps. I even got the odd puzzled look by a few clued-up locals.
One local power-walked past me with his bike resting on one shoulder and was completely caked in mud. He grinned at me as if to say - "Isn't this great? Wow I feel awesome." I tried to emanate the same sentiment rather than admitting failure.
It was reassuring to find that I wasn't the only one who made this error. A family decided to take their bikes down the same path just as I walked back up. They asked for my advice - as if my sweaty and dusty demeanor didn't already answer the question - and I recommended they go back and search for another way across. The mother agreed but the 'macho' dad and two peppy kids disagreed. I'm sure they found out the hard way like I did.
Despite the detour, I did have fun and still found some interesting view points. It was time to head back which seemed like a simple task looking at my map. As I got lost earlier (oh did I forget to say that...come on, this is me, of course I got lost!), I decided to cycle in and around the area until I hit a main street, cut across accordingly and head up to the piers. I didn't get lost but it was completely knackering. As well as the dipping streets, there were traffic lights after each block. I could only cycle fast enough to pass through one or at a stretch, two green lights. This gave me a couple of minutes to catch my breath before I had to power through again.
Determined but utterly beat, I finally arrived at the rental place. I made sure I caught my breath before dropping the bike off. I admitted that I couldn't find Seal Rocks but explained where I went instead and left with a smile on my face. Phew, right I need to get back and sort my stuff out as I was due to meet my new host.
A set time wasn't made so I didn't feel like I had to rush too much. I got back to Andy's, showered and packed. My phone was playing up and I wasn't getting full text messages. I was too nervous to call as I wasn't sure what impression that would leave.
Suddenly things changed and I needed to get over there right away as my host had somewhere important to be. Naturally, I flapped and got on the wrong bus...twice. I felt terrible. This guy was waiting for me to arrive so he could let me in. What is wrong with me? (Don't answer that). Normally I'm a lot more organised than this and usually leave even earlier if I have no idea where I'm going. This time I actually did know where I was going.
Pressing the buzzer, I wondered what awaited me. I hope he wasn't angry with me! Moments later a tall figure emerged and approached the door. I couldn't see very clearly and didn't want to smile and introduce myself to the wrong person. It was my new host, Nathan. He took me to his place. I chuckled as I entered.
Was Charlie Brooker known in America? I asked, he wasn't. Nathan had no idea what I was talking about. He bought the mat as he thought it was funny. It was a subtle rebellion against the generic 'welcome' mats. Fair enough.
Nathan pointed at things, showed me where I'd be sleeping and took off. I hope I didn't make him late. I didn't hang around for long as I went to meet Laura and Bree one last time before they left San Fran. Nathan left me a key so I didn't have to worry about not being able to get back in. I met Laura at Bigfoot Lodge which was a bar that was within short walking distance to where I was staying. We later met Bree and went to a nearby Mexican restaurant to stuff our faces. I feel like my waistline is slowly puffing out like the burritos I constantly scoff. Perhaps you are what you eat.
Once we had eaten so much that it hurt to move, we planned our next stop. Laura and Bree said there's a shisha bar nearby which sounded like a good plan to me. On our way we passed many 'happy' souls high on life or possibly something else err natural. A bouncer certainly expressed his joy at Bree - "Daaaamn, you got buns!" Me and Laura were in stitches. My buns went by unnoticed, hmph.
As time marched on, we didn't seem to be anywhere near a shisha bar. I'm sure Laura said it was only a few minutes away. When I asked, it turned out it was a few minutes away from the hostel where Laura and Bree were staying. I didn't fancy that long stretch back by myself so I decided to give the shisha bar a miss and headed back to Nathan's. I saw Nathan when I got back but we were so beat that neither of us could understand each other. It felt like we were having separate conversations as I thought he was talking about one thing and he thought I was talking about something else. Our heads hurt with confusion so we mumbled our goodnights.
Tonight marked my first night on an actual couch like the namesake. Plenty of pillows and covers made it a very snuggly sleep. I'm having the best sleep I've had in a long time and it's not costing me a penny. Why didn't I think of this before?
