All alone!

Jon flew back to England (a week earlier than me) on Saturday. I was really sad to see him go, even if it is only a week! However, I had been invited round to my friend Gami’s place in the Sunset district for an English-themed event comprised of afternoon tea and watching the BBC version of Elizabeth Gaskell’s Wives and Daughters. I made scones especially for the occasion, and stopped by the British shop on California Street (aptly named, “You Say Tomato…”) to purchase clotted cream and jam to go with them. We were actually in Gami’s mum’s place, which purportedly has a view of the ocean from every room. However, as it’s July, alas, the fog was in and the ocean was barely distinguishable from the sky. We did have a lovely time with our tea and drama, though.

Today started very slow. I managed to force myself to do a run, although shorter than the usual. I wasn’t inspired because it was foggy again. I had lunch at Caffè Sapore – a delicious bagel for less than $6 (£3): you really can’t argue! Then I headed into town on the cable car to do some shopping. My friend and old neighbour, Karen, had requested I bring her something back from the States, plus I had a wedding present and some other bits to buy, so I had a nice browse around the shops on Union Square, which by now was blue-skied and sunny. Gami had invited me to another event – a free concert – again in the Sunset district out West, so I got on the Muni Metro (underground) and headed out there. However, when the train surfaced into the daylight (it’s only underground in the city center), the sun had gone and I was in thick, chilly fog – barely five miles from downtown! Anyway, I couldn’t get into the park where the concert was, because I arrived late and it was completely full (to the extent that they weren’t letting anyone else in), so I retraced my steps and came back to North Beach, where I was in blazing sunshine again! Talk about microclimates! I read my book for an hour and soaked up some sun in Washington Square, then came back to the flat, had a swim in the pool and did my Italian homework in the sunshine. Overall, a pretty good day!