cold and rainy what a great day to visit a prison

Today I woke up to rain and cold... though the locals assure me that this isn't what San Francisco is like, it never rains for this long... except when Anne is here.

Another day, another new friend, today is Mary she is from West Virginia and a lovely person. Mary decided to make the trek to Alcatraz with me, I call it a trek as it is hard to familiarise yourself with a city when your soaking wet, cold and the rain has ruined the map you were using. This did however mean I got to ride my first trolley ride

Once we made it to the pier it was on the ferry, since it was raining we didn't venture outside till later in the trip, but I did get to try my first American pretzel and it was filled with cheese - It was interesting, I tried it with mustard and wasn't a fan and I am interested to try a plain one as well.

Alcatraz was interesting and the audio tour was enjoyable. So strange to wander around the area where known criminals, so much history behind the place and to think of some of the outbreaks and escape attempts that happened.

On the way back the fog had lifted and for a short while the rain had given a nice and welcomed break, enough to actually see the golden gate bridge and the city from the ferry. It was an "ahhhh" moment, the city looks so pretty and one again I really hope I get a chance to explore it without the rain before I leave

After Alcatraz Mary needed to go to a shop for a fingerprint scan - the whole reason she was in California. Whilst in the store, there were policemen pull up across the road sirens switched on, turns out we were opposite a bank and it was about to be part of a protest/march for occupy wallstreet. It was interesting to observe and even talk to some of the people involved.

After all this excitement it was off to wander china town and admire the buildings and of course a stop in at the fortune cookie making factory - so far my only fortune read "union gives strength. Work collaboratively".
All in all I had a great day and got to see some lovely areas.

I am now relaxing with a glass of wine, whilst updating this. Heading for dinner soon to a place called crustaceans, before some karoke tonight.
Tomorrow a tour of the city to see Lombard street, the painted ladies, coit tower and over the bridge to Muir Woods to see the red woods - this puts a smile on my face and I am sure a few of you will completely get this ... maybe I can see grandpa redwood!