| At the last minute, I decided to attend a two day | | | | purposely walk as much as possible to various areas |
| conference of entrepreneurs in San Francisco. In these | | | | to view it as a local resident in lieu of a tourist. I |
| tough economic times I did not wish to incur | | | | anticipate getting lost, thus I end up seeing, absorbing |
| unnecessary debt. Therefore, I decided to use up my | | | | and feeling the pulse of the city. |
| accumulated mileage with American Airlines | | | | This time I didn't get lost a single time! I was shocked |
| Advantage and paid a fee of $10 from NY to CA. I | | | | that I actually found myself back to the San Remo |
| was lucky to get a cheap ride from SFI to the Bay | | | | without ever having to make detours or look at my |
| with Airport Express for $16. If you search, you can | | | | map. That was strange...The only time I had ever been |
| get cheaper rates or take public transportation. | | | | in this area was 35 years ago during the "Flower |
| I searched on the Internet for reasonable hotel rates | | | | People" era for a very brief walk on the wharf. Shortly |
| within walking distance to the conference center at the | | | | before arriving, I had signed up with Bay City Bikes for |
| Marriott on Fisherman's Wharf, but I found only one | | | | a 2 1/2 hour bike tour with a group of 40 bikers. Most |
| that had an available room. The San Remo on Maison | | | | of them were also attending the conference. I think we |
| Street is a hostel-type hotel with hanging flowers within | | | | all had one common goal-complete the bike tour |
| walking distance to the bay. It was charming, | | | | without staying too far behind and not getting hurt. |
| reasonable and very clean. The downside, but not | | | | For the first couple of miles, I was getting impatient. |
| relevant to me was that there is no elevator and we | | | | We were going at a snail pace through the city |
| shared bathrooms on each floor. I felt very safe due | | | | dodging traffic. Once we were on the major bike path |
| to the front door being locked at all times. I found that I | | | | and approaching the Golden Gate Bridge, we started |
| never had to stand in line for the shower or the toilet. | | | | to go up steeper and steeper inclines. Whoa! My legs |
| Since I shared the quaint room with a friend, the cost | | | | were burning from the constant pressure. Slow down! |
| of $75 per night was perfect, although there was a | | | | We had crossed 3/4 of the Golden Gate Bridge, when |
| sign outside that said $65. | | | | suddenly the wind snapped up my favorite aqua hat |
| After unpacking, I had a chance to go for a walk and | | | | and I attempted to grab it. Well, within a split second I |
| grab something to eat at a nearby cafe. I enjoyed a | | | | went flying over my handle bars. Luckily, I retrieved my |
| freshly prepared spinach salad with portabella | | | | hat before the bay had a chance to swallow it. |
| mushrooms and tofu for $7 while sitting outside in the | | | | Unfortunately, my bike's steering column was all |
| glorious sun. Usually, if I go to an unfamiliar city, I'll | | | | twisted from the fall. |