From Central San Fran, I travelled west towards Outer Sunset to meet my new hosts. After staying with two single guys, I decided to mix things up a bit and stay with a couple. Although I didn't specifically go out looking to stay with a couple, it was a luck of the draw if you will, after sending out a shed-load of requests. There's no shortage of hosts within San Fran, but with that comes plenty of requests. I had stiff competition. I was surprised I managed to find one host, never mind three!
It wasn't too long a journey, just a bus ride and an awkward light rail journey. It seems on the N Line in San Fran, you can hop off where ever you like. Well that's what it seemed like as people pressed the buzzer and got off in the middle of a street. There were no platforms in sight. How the hell am I supposed to know when to get off? When in doubt, copy the locals. Once I was close to where I needed to be, I pressed the buzzer. It worked! I jumped off with my case and nobody batted an eye-lid.
Counting down the houses, I came to a gradual stop at the address scrawled on my map. I wasn't sure if I had the right place as it looked more like an office front. I knocked on the thick glass door nervously although it barely made a sound. Soon enough there was movement and a new adventure began.
Ryan and Maria were very welcoming and offered me a cup of tea from their extensive collection. I sat at the table with my fruity tea and took in my surroundings. I was surprised how small their place was. I don't say this out of snobbery, but if I was to host someone I'd need a big place so there wouldn't be any encroachment in each other's space. It could make things awkward. That's probably more because I'm not such a fan of confined spaces.
There was an airbed set up which took up most of the living room. I wasn't the only surfer staying there. Tom, an American traveller, took ownership of the couch. This was a lot to take in but I was still happy. Nobody acted as though they wielded axes at strangers in their spare time and I felt safe. Ryan and Maria must be nice people if they took in a fellow American for free. A lot of hosts on CS only accept surfers from different countries/nationalities. It depends what people want from their surfers - if it's social and cultural or whether they're just happy to help a fellow traveller out with a free place to kip for the night.
Although I only moved from one side of San Fran to the other, I was beat. I drank my tea, chatted for a bit and completely passed out on the sofa. Written down, that does sound like I was drugged but genuinely, I was just tired...seriously guys, couchsurfing is awesome!
Sleeping dominated the day but I did feel exceptionally good afterwards. I felt refuelled, recharged, ready to take on anything...but it was late evening and Ryan was at work and Maria was heading out to play tennis.
Tom returned and I suggested we go out for some food. Tom knew of a nearby Indian restaurant and said there's a late night cake shop he wanted to check out...honestly, I didn't suggest cake (I checked my notes and everything!).
The Indian was nothing to shout about but the cake shop was wonderful. It was a little out of the way but it was definitely worth the journey. Tart To Tart is a dessert café that according to online reviews is bland and full of students. Maybe we went on a good day as it wasn't that busy and it certainly wasn't bland.
As we approached the counter, I stood agog at the array of sweet-things. There seemed to be every cake imaginable. Tom and I ordered a slice of cake each to share and a drink.
In hindsight, I should have divvied out the portions as Tom was like a machine. For me, cake eating is a marathon not a race. I like to take my time and enjoy it. All that ended there and then as I had to keep up or I'd get nothing! If anyone wonders why I don't share cake...hello!
Thankfully our conversation lasted longer than the cake as we were locked out until 11pm. I realised how lucky I'd been with my past hosts in being entrusted with a key.
Speaking of previous hosts, I received a text message from Nathan about going out for a ride on his motorbike. He said he had some free time the next day to take me out. I'm so glad I was cheeky enough to ask!
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