Diary 4 - 6^th February & Images
from San Francisco.

Sunday 4th February
At 0945 I went downstairs for breakfast. There I found a self-service counter with some defrosted rolls and a basin containing a mixture that served as, and may have been butter alongside three different kinds of jam together with the a jar of peanut butter. There was a rotary toaster and everyone lined up to put their rolls which, were sliced down the centre, in to be toasted. The tea was not hot but I guess it was very much a backpacker's paradise. I carried my food into the eating area, a cross between a dining room and a lounge.

The tables formed a T shape in the centre of the room. Some people were sitting eating whilst others who appeared to have finished were sitting smoking. I buttered my two toasted rolls spread one with apricot and the other with peach jam. In my plate I had selected and placed three pieces of a banana which, would be the equivalent of one whole banana. I obtained some advice about the hostel and the area from my tablemate at breakfast and then afterwards I went to my room. I picked up my documents and headed out the hotel.

At the first hotel I came to on foot I made an inquiry and was directed to a second hotel. This turned out to be satisfactory so I am now in the Alisa hotel in Bush Street where I have access to the Internet, a television but unfortunately I have to walk about 20 yards to the bathroom.

I took a taxi to make the changes, as I did not feel able to carry the luggage on public transport. I checked my e-mail and made a couple of replies before leaving the hotel at 1400. I walked to the visitor's international centre and bought a three-day transport pass for $10. With this I took a streetcar to the Ferry building where in the office I got my travel tickets to take me as far as Chicago.

A street artist made this caricature of me. I hated it but almost all my friends think it is a good likeness and enjoyed it.	On leaving the office I took some photographs of a few lads doing exercises on their bicycles.	I have seen boys do this sort of thing on skateboards before
but this was different and absolutely fascinating.	like horses and riders practising dressage	these young fellows seemed to be dancing with their bicycles
their agility and ability has to be seen to be believed. I spent ages here enjoying the spectacle and the performance.	I took this picture for my friend Paul in England as he loves motorbikes.	I thought I'd better include a shot of my improved living conditions. This was my room in the hotel Alisa

Monday 5th February

I slept well throughout the night and awoke at midday. I decided to go to visit the Golden Gate Bridge.	There was fog on the bay and so clear views of the Bridge were not available however I did the best I could to see as much as possible.	The fog comes over in a matter of minutes then clears a little as quickly as it encroached.
A couple of orientals get involved in a dispute by the Pacific Bell telephone kiosks.	These Buddists asked me to take a picture for them and when I had done so they gave me a red woven tassle which I was told would bring me good things in my life and offer me protection from evil.	I met these interesting chaps and we all took a beer together.
They were touring the west coast and were having a great time.	There are all sorts opf interesting little place to see in most big cities and this garden in the centre of the street caught my eye.	No collection would be complete with a picture of a San Francisco trolley bus. I took this one to Fisherman's Wharf.
The famous Pier 39 was where I was heading next.	On my arrival here I looked for a boat that would take me round the Bay.	I didn't have to look far and soon I was about to leave the dock.
The boat took us out into the bay.	The San Francisco skyline as I saw it from the boat.	Birds were hoping to catch some fish as they dived into water.
We passed the island of Alcatraz	Then sailed down under the Golden Gate Bridge	Fortunately there was no thought the so I was able to get a couple of superb shots of the bridge.
That was as far as we went before turning back toward Alcatraz and the city.	We passed close by the prison and our guide pointed out some of the detail to us.	He showed us the wooden watch tower explaining that I guide would have stood thereat all times to prevent any escape attempts.
We could see the sun setting behind the island in the distance as we returned to the harbour area.	By the time we got into fishermen suave we found that the seals were basking in the soft light of the evening. We disembarked and I went for a walk to the Castro area as I felt the need for gay company and some gay bars.	I eventually found myself sitting street-side on a concrete wall beside a couple of guys. The one next to me had an African grey parrot sitting on the fence behind him. It clearly belonged to him although it had total freedom being attached to nothing.

We struck up a conversation, his name is Larry his friend was introduced as Richard. I must have made some inquiry and as a result of this he was giving me directions on how to get to a bath house and a sex club. He suggested that I had no need to go to a sex club. He told me he found me attractive and desirable. He further added that he could engage me in excellent sex at his home.

During the ensuing conversational I flirted with him as we sat in the sunshine drinking. I understood that he seriously wanted me to go back to his apartment for sex when we leave here and I was very agreeable to doing so. It was 1800 by the time his friend Richard was ready to leave and so he took us to visit his, 'San Francisco house'. It was an interesting house very very long and leading to a wooden patio and back garden on the floor below.

Richard dropped us off and drove on. Larry offered a drink which I accepted and we sat on the settee in Larry's comfortable home. During the following conversations he proceeded to slowly, gently indeed seductively, unbutton then slip my shirt off. We talked and I enjoyed the attention and the slow deliberate way he handled me. Three-quarters of an hour later my jeans too were being peeled from my legs and I was wearing only my black socks and maroon silk boxer shorts. Larry started to play with me and very soon had a stiff erection in his hands. We discussed foreskins for some time. He is circumcised and finds them interesting. I thought it was a very odd topic of conversation given the circumstances, however different countries have different customs.

After we'd both enjoyed the sexual activity on his comfortable large leather sofa we went to boot up his computer to go online because he wanted to see the Web pages and I had been telling him about. He was interested in my travelogue and I was happy to have the opportunity to discuss my travels with someone.

Later we went out to dinner, Larry took me to a Vietnamese restaurant and it was a fun and enjoyable time that I had with him. After arriving back at his apartment he telephoned to his friend as he needed something to smoke. We waited for nearly an hour before Gary and his transsexual boyfriend arrived with the gear. Because I was a tourist and Scotsman I asked for and I was given a discount on the deal. Gary left and Larry was anxious to get to bed as it was, for him, late. We went to lie on the bed for a while, made love gently with each other then got up and redressed when the taxi arrived.

I came directly back to my hotel and checked my e-mail. It's just after midnight.

Tuesday 6^th February.
I rose at ten and packed my bags ready for this evening's departure. By the time I got showered and dressed it was after 11 when I got to reception. They kindly held my luggage for me and I went out to explore in San Francisco. I made enquiries about where to go shopping for a warm jacket as I knew it would be cold in the north and was advised to take a bus down to Market Street.

I enjoyed looking around the shops and visited three different places. By now it was mid afternoon so I retraced my steps to the first store I'd visited. I had seen a couple of jackets there that I thought would be quite suitable. The main feature I was looking for was good protection from the weather and warmth retention by decent insulation. They did not have the one I really wanted in my size. It was red with some black belts and flashes, thickly quilted and very smart and trendy. My second choice was less spectacular, a black and bottle green well quilted jacket with a detachable hood.

When I tried it on I found that the zip was on the right-hand side. Thinking this might be a female version I went back to the rack to examine the other jackets. I discovered that all the jackets where this way round and on making inquiries was told that this was perfectly normal. In the UK the zip is on the left-hand side and a sliding edge on the right.
Having completed my purchases I took a walk around the town, along by the pier where I watched the boats set of on their trips around the bay.

On my return I went to the Café de la Presse where I ordered a Vodka-martini whilst perusing the menu. After some deliberation I selected the lamb shank and haricot beans. From the wine list presented to me I chose a glass of Red Sauvignon which from those available I felt was most appropriate with the lamb. The service was good and the food well cooked, nicely presented and very enjoyable. New York Cheese Cake with sliced strawberry and fresh cream filled me completely. I paid $34.80 and walked the few doors down the street to my hotel.

There I was able to order a taxi, collect my luggage and I was soon at the Amtrak office at Ferry Building where I had to check in.

The bus arrived on time to take us to Emeryville but the train was late in arriving there.