From the Bird’s Nest: A Tsunami and an orgy….of food

Thursday evening it was where to go for dinner?  The answer was Chinatown.  It's a tradition, I guess, that every trip I've ever made to San Francisco has necessitated a pilgrimage to Lichee Gardens.  Located on Powell Street near Broadway, it's the home of great Chinese food at a very reasonable price.  As always, way too much food was ordered.  We had to try the egg rolls, fried prawns and pot stickers, plus entrees.  We had a lot left over but certainly had our fill.

We visited awhile with the proprietor who said she didn't know if they'd be staying in business much longer.  The economy has taken a downturn and business was not good.  It would be a shame if it didn't survive.  I've certainly enjoyed the food each and every time I've gone.

Because of the time difference I was ready to turn in early, but made myself stay up til around 10:30 Pacific.  I'm not a heavy sleeper and the sound of my text message at 1:30 woke me.  It was The Advertiser's Josh Parrott, telling me that there was a tsunami warning for San Francisco and to be safe.  I honestly thought he was joking.

At 5am when the texting started again, I knew he wasn't.

I turned on the news and saw there was, in fact, a tsunami warning.  And, at the time, they said the waves could be as big as six feet.  Not good.  But as I watched the news, I realized that, since we were bayside and very close to the bay, in fact, we probably wouldn't be affected.  By the time 7:30 came, the projections along the coast were 2-3 feet, tops, so it was time to plan the day.

And, the day was going to start at Kate's Kitchen.

Located in the Haight section of San Francisco, I had eaten breakfast there on my last trip.  I just had to go back and try it again.  The bus is right at Market Street, just five blocks or so from the hotel.  Got on the bus and it stopped within 1/2 block of Kates.

Naturally, being in the Haight, the menu was pretty interesting.  My choice this time was the "French Toast Orgy."  Six french bread pieces of French toast.  A layer of yogurt.  Tons of granola.  Lots of pineapple, strawberries, watermelon, honeydew, and bananas.  Plenty of honey.  And maple syrup.  I laughed out loud when they brought it out.

I did my best.  Couldn't finish it.

Then it was time to walk about ten blocks to the Haight-Ashbury section of the city.  Now for you youngsters, that's where the Hippie movement started back in the 60's.  And a walk through the Haight is like stepping back in time.  Now, if you ever go, don't go too early.  They don't get started there til 10 am at the earliest.  Most of the shops don't open til 11.  And, if you're a tourista that really wants to take a step back, there are plenty of tie-dyed shirts, tributes to the Grateful Dead, Bob Marley, the Jefferson Airplane and more. 

We walked up and down that area for a couple of hours, mainly to let breakfast settle in.  Why?

The original Ben and Jerry's ice cream place is right on the corner of Haight and Ashbury.  And, you gotta have some Cherry Garcia ice cream, right?

And, during the walk, we found out we weren't in South Louisiana.  More than once as we passed people on the street, there was a low voice, "need bud?"

Not Weiser...and not bud light.

After checking out as much as we could it was time to head back to the hotel. 

It was quite an eventful morning.  I probably won't eat again for awhile.

Now it's time for baseball.  First pitch 9pm.  Can't wait.