Going West

Jeff suggested that I would really benefit from some instruction from Stephan at Trapeze Arts, and since I always listen to Jeff's suggestions, (ha!) when I heard that the Things would be spending a long weekend in Las Vegas, I immediately booked my flight, etc. for San Francisco. Of course I should probably mention that I have always wanted to come out to SF but for one reason or another it hasn't worked out.

I booked myself for three classes before I left New York - on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (and would have booked a Monday class as well but they're closed Mondays), as well as a tumble track class on Friday.

What can I say about the experience? Well, a few things. The first, that it was very humbling. Having absolutely no net skills, I had to stay in lines all three days. I was supposed to do a back drop to a belly drop, but couldn't get it until Sunday. (Yes, Jeff, trampoline time would have certainly helped with that - I'll see what I can do about stengthening my knees so that I can take advantage next go around!)

Additionally, I was instructed by the all-knowing one to go back to
basics, and specifically, my swing and return. So I worked on those,plus my turn-around and half turn. It took me awhile to adjust to big rig timing, a really, really long while. And they teach they swing slightly differently out west! Rather than a hollow, they call "forward," and that really means forward- like 90 degrees! Also, after the forceout they, or rather, Jeanine called "hold" which was a helpful reminder not to drop my feet.

I didn't really get any vid, except of my half turn catch (Taken off the Tivo). So here it is:


It should go without saying that the feedback one gets from a fresh pair of eyes is helpful. Especially as all three instructors have been around for a while and really, really know what they are talking about and pay a lot of attention to what's going on in the air. I was trying really hard to "bring it" and yes, maybe to impress. I'm not sure that I did at all, but was giving it my best, so the corrections I was getting were to form and not just momentary laziness.

FOOD
It was really hard choosing where to eat, especially since I didn't want diner food. I ended up taking some recommendations from Fodor's based on cost (cheap), location (what I wanted to see/walking distance) and cuisine type.

Here's where/what I ate:
Mijita (Mexican)1 at the Ferry terminal. I had the huevos rancheros. They were okay, if a little dull. I used a lot of red sauce to add flavor.

R&G Lounge (Chinese) in Chinatown. I ordered the chicken and shark's
fin soup (very weird texture and taste), crispy rolls with avocado and smoked salmon (sort of a cross between eggrolls and maki, but interesting texture and yummy), and the beef with turnips (yummy except the beef was too fatty and the turnips too soft). Overall, though a good experience. The waiters were great, and a fun place to be on the Chinese new year. (and no, I didn't eat everything. Not even close. But I wanted to try a few different things)

Brunch at Los Jarritos (mexican) in the Mission district. I ordered the chilaquiles, which were pretty good, but should have had a bit less tortilla and a bit more of every thing else in my opinion. Very big portions. I didn't come close to finishing. Not all the neighboring locals are friendly. One guy took offense when I was taking this photo:

And got his "friends" to heckle me. WTF?

Dinner at Indian Oven (one guess as to what type of cuisine) in the Haight. I ordered a grilled assortment (the ground lamb/beef? Was great, the chicken and lamb was too dry) as well as the Bengan Bartha
(roasted eggplant - very, very yummy) Again didn't finish. ( and really wish these restaurants offered tasting plates, but I guess that of what I want is more of a prix fixe tasting menu, I should have brought something nicer than jeans and sneakers, and maybe even made reservations from NYC.

Cliff House for brunch. (western shoreline - American cuisine) omelet
with avocado, dungeness crab and sour cream. The crab was yummy, but
the omelet didn't work. Still, the view was outstanding.

Sam's in Half Moon Bay (seafood, I drove down to see some of the coast, and stopped to walk to Mavericks and watch some surfers in the bay. ) I ordered the escolar with cauliflower a/ orange sauce. Fish had a nice texture. Liked the turmeric in the sauce, not the orange, and it could have used some caraway.

Oh, and I walked and walked. Up and down hills, through all sorts of
neighborhoods. In the rain, the wind, and the occassional sun. Some
gorgeous houses and views.

Cool things:

Bike rack on front fender of public bus
Architectural icing (gilding the lilies)
The pacific ocean
The stunning views on US 1 (Cabrillo pkwy)
Peet's coffee - so much better than Starbuck's
The hills
The cable cars (as cheesy as that is)
Great public transportation system.
Sausalito's galleries

And finally, a few photos

A rock

The Dragon

Half Moon Bay

Ferry ride/ Sausalito