That’s a headline bound to get a few Google hits, right? It’s not what you might think.
I am in San Fran to exhibit at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists meeting here this week – the people I work for, the American College of Nurse-Midwives, participate in the tradeshow here, along with all manner of pharma and device companies. Why we do this is another story.
So, despite a flawless series of flights from BWI through Denver and an arrival here marred only by rain, I still managed to botch it by leaving the cell phone in the cab.
It was one of those moments – when your stomach drops into your feet and you realize that only a miracle saves your day. The cell is my lifeline to the kids back home and, being in media relations as I am, it sorta makes it tough for reporters to get in touch with you, if, you know, they can’t because you left your phone in a cab.
Not that the cab driver can’t talk persuasively about homebirth and cesarean sections, but it’s bad for business.
So, after somehow getting the operator on the pay phone in the hotel lobby to connect me to the cell phone, my luck turned up for a change and the cabbie answered and brought the phone back to the hotel, where I sit tonight typing this note, content that the phone is here and not being used for long calls to Jakarta or the space station or wherever.
So, I’m in town for a few days if someone has any good suggestions for restaurants, while I try to avoid the more graphic exhibit booths at the tradeshow. (Those avid readers with kids will think about all the devices and gadgets and implements you might recall from the delivery room and you’ll get a sense of what I face over the next 72 hours.)
Two pieces of advice
I have exactly two pieces of advice from my limited experience with San Francisco: 1. Do not attempt to walk from Embarcadero Station to Pier 39 at sunset or thereafter. Unless you’re a teenager with a sense of your own invulnerability. 2. Don’t die.
That’s about it, really. Gorgeous town, overrun with tech geeks. Fun place to visit, but I don’t know that I’d want to live there. Lombardo Street is something else. That’s about it 🙂
—
Matthew P. Barnson
Good advice – the not-dying part
I’ll take the ‘don’t die’ advice to heart. This is an interesting town – it’s got its own type of grit and grime, and considering how much of the city is so pretty, with nice views of the bridge and the water, it’s odd how contrasted that is with the urbanness – for lack of a better term – in the downtown district.
On the tech side – thank goodness for it. My little wi-fi spotter on this laptop has been in overdrive since firing it up yesterday.
On the downside, I had hoped to see my beloved Washington Nationals take the Giants here to the cleaners yesterday, completing their first road sweep, but rain and my cell-phone nightmare prevented me from missing a thriller. Nats lost, too. I’ll blame it on the rain.
HA!!
HAHAHAHA!!
HAHAHAHA!!
Matt, you’re priceless. Sorry all.. I’m the only one who gets it.. but its funny!
Tim.. have fun. You know I lived there before I moved to MD. Its one of my favorite towns. If you find yourself ni the Castro district.. try Rosie’s cantina. Yum.
Nice City
I went to San Jose, CA a couple years ago. From there San Fran is about an hour or so drive. I really liked that area. It was the first and last time that i had been on that coast. I really enjoyed the sight seeing. I like architecture and really enjoyed taking the driving tour through the city.
I agree that there are areas in the city which are less than desireable, but as a whole i enjoyed the city. As far as restaurants go I don’t have any suggestions. The restaurants around the pier have some great seafood options.
Have a great trip! I will be traveling myself to Germany this weekend for 2 weeks.
The pier
I was in San Fran for all of a day back when I went on tour with our college ensemble. Great time…considering I was with a guy who wanted to marry me, (whom I didn’t want to marry!) and knowing that Matt was only hours south of me on his mission. But because of the reputation of the city, I decided to go ahead and hang out with Tim.
Anyway, at the pier is a great little cafe that serves ice cream and chocolate. The ice cream was expensive, then it arrived and it was HUGE! Well worth it if you’re an ice cream lover. The chocolate was Geradelli chocolate. Good stuff, once again, if you’re a chocolate lover. Beyond that I don’t remember much. We were only there for a few hours exploring on our own.
John, Germany? Where in Germany? I’m green with envy! I lived in Kaiserslautern for 7 years! Beautiful country. Will you be able to see much? I’m assuming you’ll be there on business. Now if you can buy chocolate there, do it! German and Swiss chocolate is the best chocolate in the world. You will find that German chocolate is often flavored with hazelnuts. A bit different from the American way with almonds. Enjoy your time there! —
Christy
Business
Yeah, I am going on Business. I went to Oahu back in December (Yeah i know, tough break being sent to Hawaii in December).
I will be traveling to Stutgart. I will be there for about 2 weeks. I fly on the 14th and return on the 27th. I should have a little bit of time to do some site seeing, especially the weekend of the 21st & 22nd. I will definately post pictures as my journey continues.
I am getting quite the list of things to get while i am over there. I am suppose to look for linen napkins, porcelain (sp?), Chocolate, Local liqours (my own collection), and a cookoo clock.
🙂
JB
For the kids…
Look for Kinder eggs for the kids. They’re chocolate eggs that are hollow, but inside is a toy, that typically needs to be assembled. I don’t know how young your kids are, as the toys are pretty small, but they’re so much fun and very hard to find state side!
Stutgart is a beautiful city! I look forward to your pictures. I’m sure it has changed a lot since I’ve been there. I’m quite interested in going to Germany to see what it’s like now that the wall is down! —
Christy