And they are adventures. Great big ones. While I can’t say my income is in the realm of the Rowlings, or even the Novaks, I’m not complaining (much) because it means I get to go places and see things I could never have done without it. I’ve made some good friends, seen things and done things I’ve really enjoyed and I’ve discovered the joys of solo travel.
I really love traveling alone. I’ve never been what you might call the adventurous sort, not really, and crippling travel sickness for much of my life didn’t help. The kind that made you need a day in bed either end of the journey. So lunches in Paris were out, even though quite a few of my friends were doing it.
The sickness went, and I was persuaded by one of my friends to go to the Romantic Times Convention in Houston, a few years ago. Since I knew I’d be meeting her at the other end, I took the plunge. Thanks to the Internet, prices were better, even though I had to dip deep into my savings, and I knew it was an extravagance, but my sweet husband persuaded me, and I went.
I got some great breaks at that first conference, even though I didn’t entirely know it at the time. I met people, chatted and they must have decided they wanted to work with me, because I got some flattering offers. Not out of the blue, things don’t happen like that, I had to apply first, but it went better than I thought, and I ended up going again. And again. It’s now the RT Booklover’s convention, but I still go. And this year it’s in Los Angeles. And here I am, in San Francisco, having a break before the Conference.
Sooo- San Francisco. I’m an old hippie, so I had to visit Haight-Ashbury. Obviously it would be a tourist trap these days, like Carnaby Street or King’s Road in London, but it’s kind of a pilgrimage. And someone offered me a brownie, so my cup is full. Not that I bought the brownie. Just nice to be asked.
The thing that amazed me more than anything else was that there is no history museum in San Francisco. And the city has such an interesting history, too, with the gold rush and the earthquake and the hippy era and all. When I get to a new place, I try to make the city museum one of my first calls. But here – nothing. I did visit the De Young art gallery, where the paintings are beautifully preserved, but nothing truly exciting. The Rodins were beautifully displayed.
The highlight of my visit was Alcatraz. We went on an evening cruise, and it was damp and rainy, perfect to experience The Rock. Absolutely terrifying place, with an atmosphere guaranteed to chill. All those sociopaths and psychopaths must have left something behind them, an edginess, maybe. But I felt tense the whole time I was there.
Tomorrow, LA and closer to the convention!
Wish my timing and location were better, Lynne, I’d have been somewhere along your route so we could meet! You’ll get closer to my stomping grounds on your way to L.A., tho. I never knew SF doesn’t have a museum. Kind of short sighted on the part of a city that size. LOL you should have sneaked half a brownie to tour around Haight-Ashbury! Would have really made the experience so psychedelic! Boss, man. Peace!
It keeeeels me that I won’t be making it to RT. It’s in my neck of the woods, but the timing could not be worse for me at the moment. San Francisco is a fun city, with lots of tourist-y stuff to do. I’ve been there twice, and while I like visiting, not so sure I could ever live there 🙂
My mother and I went to San Francisco last year – absolutely loved it. Did you go to Lombard Street or Macy’s (lovely food at the The Cheesecake Factory at the top of Macy’s but ginormous servings so Mum and I got entree sizes!)