Julie and I headed out to San Francisco to visit with Jack and Eddie and catch a string of Mets – Giants games. The weather was hotter than one would have assumed. We managed to find a couple really nice bars (Eddie Rickenbarker’s, 21st Amendment, and the San Francisco Brewery Company). We had a really good dinner at Joe Dimaggio’s Italian Steakhouse. James gave us a grand tour of the city and we spent an afternoon on Alcatraz.
Mets – Giants:
While in town Julie and I managed to see 3 games at AT&T Park. All Mets victories and all offensive games. We had different seats each game which gave us some interesting views. I’m pretty sure during the course of three games I witnessed at least 3 uncalled balks. Of course when we got home and watched the fourth game of the series on ESPN they actually called a balk.
If some one can actually explain to me what is a balk and what is not a balk with a straight face I’ll buy you a pitcher of beer.
Travel Notes:
Air Travel:
For once my flight was really good. We actually had wireless internet for the entire flight for about $10. There is really no reason every flight shouldn’t have this. The network speed was great, the only limit was how much battery you had… I had a lot.
Of course upon landing a girl 4 seats up had to vomit on herself but I’ll take that for wireless internet any day.
San Francisco Public Transit/Cabs:
We took a cab to the hotel with out much problem, once we checked in we asked the front desk for the best way to AT&T Park. The concierge directed us to the MUNI. First mistake. We walk the 4 blocks to the station which also has a BART stop. To our utter amazement the MUNI only takes quarters. In the year 2009. Quarters. OK, no problem we’ll just use the change machine. The change machine that just gives $5 dollar bills. So let’s recap. The MUNI only takes quarters and the change machine only gives out $5 dollar bills. OK, the clerk told use to use the BART ticket machine which can give you change if you hold down a secret button… except the BART ticket machine can only give you change from a $1 dollar bill. Ok, so we need quarters for the MUNI, the change machine only gives you $5 dollar bills and the BART ticket machine that does give change only takes $1 bills. All in the year 2009. Perfect.
So after making quarters out air, we get on the train as directed by the concierge and head in the complete opposite direction of the ballpark. Great. We eventually get out somewhere and spend 20 minutes looking for a cab. Once we do get a cab (the game has already started) we get about halfway there and the cab driver has a request: Does he mind if we stop and so he can put in a dinner order at a Turkish restaurant? Of course the reason behind this is that his wife is nagging at him and him and he doesn’t have the phone number. Sure, why not. So to recap, crazy train ride + amazing cab ride = late to baseball game.
*Side Note:
The rest of my photographs are here.
