Day 14
After waking up really early, around 10am, I started to round up all my gear, and latch it to my trusty steed, "RoNo" (Short for Rolling Nomad). The 100+ miles were a little chillier than expected, but I shouldn't have expected anything less traveling to the bay. Cold day for the Cold bay. I met my mom and Gramma at her home in San Jose, and before the day would end I would receive a small history lesson. My mom took this opportunity, while we had the family historian (Gramma), to show me various places throughout San Jose and give me a glimpse into my family's past. Lets take a stroll down la avenida del historia...
My Great-Grampa Navarro (My Mom's Mom's Dad) settled his family down on the corner of Whitton Ave and 31st Street. All funds for the initial down payment of $2000 and a remaining $2000 balance were earned through picking various crops of prunes, stringbeans, tomatoes or whatever other crop was available at the time. No family member was exempt from working, in the fields or in the home. The family pooled all funds and paid off the home within 6 months and THEN moved into the house, my grampa would have it no other way. Plenty of chivos (small goats) were eaten in the backyard (killed, skinned, hung, bled, cooked, then eaten) and several good families got their start at the humble beginnings at 1498 Whitton Ave. That is how my family came to settle in the Santa Clara Valley from the Mid-west, and why I am traveling throughout the bay this week.
Everyone got their start somewhere, where did you come from???....
Day 15: California Daze
Tuesday I hopped on my bike to get some personal City time for myself. I haven't been to SF since the 3 day music festival 'Outsidelands' in August of 2008, in which may or may not have been the wildest and most shagadelic days of my life. For more info on that, just throw in a Rodrigo y Gabriela CD and I'll yap your ear off about how AAAAwesome it was.
I started trekking thru Golden Gate Park, which contrary to popular opinion is 174acres larger than NY's Central park, and I made one turn and I found myself in a freaking tropical jungle. Its a interesting exp
erience to be surrounded by beautiful and lush fauna, and furthermore surrounded by one of the largest metropolis in the world. I felt like I was inside biodome inside the deathstar. After my Pauly Shore/C3PO adventure, I found my bearings, put some Jimi Hendrix on the iPod, and headed over to the infamous Hippie Hill.
I picked some flowers for you
As I was walking over to the Hill, I was offered various forms of mild altering substances ranging from "Fresh Green Buds" to "Acid Hits". I was only solicted about 8 times, which is below average. Its usually at least 12, and I'm usually already 'OK'. I declined all offers this time around since I had to head back on the road on the bike, and I figure I'd give you a 'Fear and Loathing' entry, sometime in Europe.... disappointing I know, but stay tuned....
Hippie Hill was as interesting as ever, with various forms of Bums (Pirates, Bicyclist), Druggies, Hippies, Religious Shouters, and Drunks interacting and entertaining with antics and shenanigans. Quite amazing how entertaining juggling sticks, playing guitars, and/or just spinning in circles can be. I'm glad that there is still places in the world, where anything goes, and no one really cares. (Within very large reason of course.) And I would be sacreligous if I did not give a fair mention to the never ending drum circle, consisting of at least 10+ drums and people at any given time of any given day. After sitting next to my favorite tree on the Hill for about an hour, I felt it was time to round out my 60's flashback and head down to the Haight-Ashbury.
Nothing extremely notable about my visit to the Haight, but thats not to say it was enjoyable in the least. I find in fun and necessary to take a stroll up and down the old blocks, stop into Amoeba Music, and just take in all the sights and sounds of area which birth such new trends and societal changes. If you haven't been, put it on the to do list. It doesn't disappoint.
I received a quick call while heading back to the bike and made some quick dinner plans wit
h Kristen, Kim, and Evan, all Gauchos Locos. We all met up at some Mexican Restaurant in San Mateo, CA, where they apparently have no noise level restrictions, because Kim said she's been there on more than one occasion. Two pitchers later (which we all concurred, were the smallest pitchers ever) and tales of old times at Cordoba parties, Cocktail soirees, and Highlighter gatherings were recounted. Good times. Kim was utterly impressed with the service.
Kim being 'totally f*cked on ice'. (She practically yelled that at the waiter, while he was still pouring her drink...) But thats why we love her.
Day 16
A day spent in the East Bay, in a wonderful world, where the vineyards are neverending, the fountains flow with wine, and the streets don't know crime--Welcome to Pleasanton, CA.
Kevin M. (of Santa Monica, CA fame) was visiting his new born niece in they bay, so I decided to swing out there and make my presence known. Jessie, Kevin's sister and 12 day brand new mom, was gracious enough to interrupt her baby schedule and allow me a visit with the newborn Rebecca. Something about new borns that bring a certain reverance and awe. (I think its the small finger nails.) It is completely obvious that I'm a rookie at baby handling, since I held Rebecca like she was a ball of unstable nitro-glycerin ready to blow. Kevin's a little better at it, but only like one level on Street Fighter better.
After baby awe-ing, a quick beer, 2 games of air hockey (in which I beat down Kevin with a combined score of 14-1, and I cut his finger), it was time to pick up the ultimate wine afficionato from the BART station, Bill 'Bota Bag' Manson. Kevin and I were thinking of heading to a sport bar to catch the bball playoff game, but once the cork was popped, there was no uncorking in sight. Kevin's dad, Bill, is a purveyor of the finest wines throughout California and the World. He gave me a quick tour of his extensive collection, and proceded to give me a crash course in wine selections and tastes, in addition to all the extensive relationships the different wineries have with one another throughout California. Learning about wine is effing awesom
e, especially when the professor is funny, informed, and heavy handed. If you need brush up on your wino skills in Northern Cal, give Bota Bag Bill a jingle and I'm sure he'll be obliged to give you a quick course.
Laying waste to the finest of collections
Onward to Monterey, CA in the morning and even further in the future, to the weekend, lies the wasteland known commonly as 'Bay to Breaker'. If you're in the Bay, and desire your greatest wishes to come true, give me a call, and I'll see what I can do for you.
-Angelo
"Logic will take you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere."
-Albert Einstein
erience to be surrounded by beautiful and lush fauna, and furthermore surrounded by one of the largest metropolis in the world. I felt like I was inside biodome inside the deathstar. After my Pauly Shore/C3PO adventure, I found my bearings, put some Jimi Hendrix on the iPod, and headed over to the infamous Hippie Hill.
h Kristen, Kim, and Evan, all Gauchos Locos. We all met up at some Mexican Restaurant in San Mateo, CA, where they apparently have no noise level restrictions, because Kim said she's been there on more than one occasion. Two pitchers later (which we all concurred, were the smallest pitchers ever) and tales of old times at Cordoba parties, Cocktail soirees, and Highlighter gatherings were recounted. Good times. Kim was utterly impressed with the service.
e, especially when the professor is funny, informed, and heavy handed. If you need brush up on your wino skills in Northern Cal, give Bota Bag Bill a jingle and I'm sure he'll be obliged to give you a quick course.
1 comment:
I'm so glad you're blogging, it makes my heart smile to read about all your adventures, I will continue to stay tuned :)
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