The Adventure Begins Anew – Part 1 California

20 June 2013, Wednesday

I packed right up to the 7am knock on the front door, my car ride to the Amtrak train station.

At the station, I easily bought a one-way ticket, no line, and walked to the platform with my three bags.  I had a pleasant train ride and was even able to buy a $10 Bart train ticket for $8 dollars at the snack bar.  I disembarked at Emeryville and got on the bus for the short 20-minute ride to the ferry building, all the while planning my next move---what was I going to do in San Francisco and how was I going to ride Bart for the first time.  I had two plans—see if the Amtrak station would hold my bags or go to the Hyatt Hotel and see if they would hold my bags.  As luck would have it, Amtrak will hold bags for $4/bag.  As I took my daypack/laptop out of one bag, I decided that I’d ask a question (there can only be two answers – yes or no).  So, I asked, since this third bag is light, could you hook it together with my second bag and call it one bag? It worked. Amtrak stored my bags for $8 dollars and off I went with my 1 ½ hours to kill.

I headed toward the closest Bart station. I found the steps down to the subway, but walking a little further on I found an elevator.  I took the elevator down and found the information desk.  I asked about the train to the airport and was told just to take the train on platform 1. I was assured that it was well marked.  With that task accomplished, I went back up and headed towards Chinatown.  I wanted to buy a few last minute items and walk over to the park where Tai Chi Master Kuo’s picture is still on the building. After walking around the park watching the people play cards and games, I headed back to get my bags.

Back at the train station, I picked up my bags and proceeded to repack them to include my new purchases. An elderly man wearing a fez came in and sat down. He said, “After Monterrey, I’ll go to Six Flags.”  Then he kept talking, mentioning various topics about the government, people, and life.  Some of his statements were good so I’d nod my head or agree with him, all the while not knowing if he was really talking to me or not.  At one point, he asked me if I’d ever been to Muir Woods.  I couldn’t recall if I had, so I said no. He said, “Let’s go now.  I’ll take you there. I’m sure your husband wouldn’t mind.”  I just smiled at him and said not today.  He then started talking on a cell phone, though I don’t think he had actually received a call.  When I got ready to leave, I wished him to have a good day.  He gave me many blessings and wished me much happiness!

At the Bart station, I processed my ticket and went through the gate. Then I found myself at the top of a long staircase going down; the escalator was being repaired.  With a backpack on my back, one on my front and my big, heavy, wheeled duffel bag in hand, I attempted to start down the steps. After about the third try (because I didn’t want to end up losing my balance and toppling down to the platform), one of the work men told me that there was an elevator down the way.  So, I went through the emergency exit gate and thankfully used the elevator!  I had about a 7 minute wait on the platform and then onto the train.

On the Bart train, a girl about 9 years old got on with her dad. He sat down and stared at his phone. The girl was so excited to be going to the airport. She commented on how she loved the British woman’s accent who was standing next to my seat.

“I’m going to New Jersey,” she stated to us all.

“Where are you going?”

“India”, I said.

Getting excited all over again she said, “India!” “Have you traveled to other countries?”

“Yes”, I said.

“Are you a world traveler?” she asked.

With only a moment’s pause to think about that question, I answered “Yes!” with a definite conviction.

She then went on to tell us how she and her dad wanted to go to South America.  I think her dad wished that she would just calm down and stop talking, but lucky for him she had enough excitement for the both of them!

San Francisco airport. What can I say?  Lots and lots of people. I’ve never had my hair patted down by TSA (I had it braided).  I saw a man looking so lovingly at his partner it was like watching a romance movie. I saw a child attached to a wheelie suitcase.  A little suitcase seat folded down for the little tyke!  A young couple with the young woman sitting on his lap and then they stood up and began kissing.  I think I sprayed to much CK Eternity on me….I hope it doesn’t last for an eternity.  I filled up my water bottle at the café.  Then I sat back and waited for my flight.