Yesterday, I traveled a couple of hours to San Francisco to pick up a couple who were visiting from overseas and take them out for a bit.
The couple were a friend from an online forum I frequent and her husband, and I had really been looking forward to meeting them in person for quite a while.
Being in San Francisco is always exciting, and the energy of the city combined with the infectious smiles of my friends worked to hopefully allow me to serve as a decent host to one of my favorite cities anywhere.
We met at the hotel they chose, the Hotel Triton. I had always enjoyed the Triton because it is colorfully decorated with an artistic flair that I admire but can’t replicate and it is conveniently located at the Grant Street gate to Chinatown.
Instead of walking into Chinatown, we left the city and drove across the Golden Gate bridge to San Rafael and Taqueria San Jose for some Mexican food. The food so common to me, available everywhere at home, is what these travelers wanted and we enjoyed Super Burritos, 2 al pastor and 1 cabeza, along with two Pacifico beers and a lime green Jarritos for the designated driver.
We toured some of the neighborhoods of San Francisco on a driving tour, including the Presidio, Marina, Cow Hollow, Lower Pacific Heights, Lower Haight, Haight Ashbury, Civic Center, Tenderloin, SOMA, Financial District, Downtown, Chinatown, North Beach, and Nob Hill.
I got to spend about 4 hours with my friends, and I enjoyed our time together. We chatted the whole time, and I so lost myself in a naturally flowing conversation that I completely forgot to ask about a mutual friend of ours from South Carolina.
December 29, 2009 at 12:01 AM
You forgot to mention that you recommended the Triton to us. And it was by far the best hotel of our journey, I will stay there again.
That meal was utterly wonderful.
So hard to find decent Mexican food here.
December 29, 2009 at 4:55 PM
I love the Triton, it is not an industrial chain hotel, but a quirky hotel with verve and charm. It is conveniently located at the gate to San Francisco’s Chinatown.
I had recommended Chinese, but Mr. and Mrs. Smartie have Chinese restaurants just as good, or better, in profusion at home in Melbourne.
It was funny that the food you wanted is food I take for granted, we eat it from rolling restaurants where I live, there are many taco trucks putting out great Mexican food north of San Francisco.
I am told that there are similar kebab trucks in Melbourne and I want to eat from them.
I was unfortunately distracted when you visited. I look forward to seeing you again when I am fully present.
Cheers!