New York in the rain
The weather was pretty much awesome the whole time we were in New York. Then it started raining horribly on Tuesday. Fortunately we were heading off to sunny California that evening, to meet up with my dad and cousin in San Francisco!
I know, I know, it sounds lavish and ridiculous, doing the east coast & west coast in one trip, but let me explain: my aunt (my dad's sister) got married to my now uncle in Las Vegas (pretty badass right?). They took two witnesses with them, my dad and my uncle's daughter. Then my dad said he maybe wanted to travel to San Francisco after the wedding, when my aunt and uncle would be on their honeymoon. 'Ha, around that time we will be in the States as well, we should meet up!' I joked. My dad actually loved the idea of us all travelling to SF, but we were like oof, extending our trip for a full week? Besides, NY is the most expensive city in the States, and SF is the second! But then my dad kindly insisted he'd help us pay for the SF part of our trip, so what started out as a joke became serious business. Then, my now cousin asked if she could come along to SF, and we were like of course! So the four of us met up in SF.
I know, I know, it sounds lavish and ridiculous, doing the east coast & west coast in one trip, but let me explain: my aunt (my dad's sister) got married to my now uncle in Las Vegas (pretty badass right?). They took two witnesses with them, my dad and my uncle's daughter. Then my dad said he maybe wanted to travel to San Francisco after the wedding, when my aunt and uncle would be on their honeymoon. 'Ha, around that time we will be in the States as well, we should meet up!' I joked. My dad actually loved the idea of us all travelling to SF, but we were like oof, extending our trip for a full week? Besides, NY is the most expensive city in the States, and SF is the second! But then my dad kindly insisted he'd help us pay for the SF part of our trip, so what started out as a joke became serious business. Then, my now cousin asked if she could come along to SF, and we were like of course! So the four of us met up in SF.
We rented the right half of this house . Isn't it cool? So typically San Franciscan :D
And oh.. hello blue skies!
And oh.. hello blue skies!
So the *modern* buildings are pretty similar to the buildings in NY. The streets in SF however are so much wider than in NY - I didn't realize how cramped it is in New York until we went to San Francisco!
San Francisco even has its own Flatiron building!
Before we went to the States, I was looking on the internet for all-american diners to eat, preferably something that looked like that diner in Pulp Fiction. Well I couldn't find something like that, but I did find Lori's Diner in San Francisco. So for our first lunch in SF I thought it would be cool to eat there.
I mean, this looks pretty cool right? When it comes to interior alone it has everything you could want in a diner!
Like this amazing car
Lori's diner has a huge menu to choose from, but I went for the 'Lori's famous burger'. It was a very decent burger! It honestly tasted like a better/fancier version of a Big Mac? Also, GARLIC FRIES! They should have garlic fries instead of regular fries everywhere.
Paul had the Rebel Rouser Hot Diggity Dog, with chili and cheddar. Very tasty as well. Could've been better if Paul also had the garlic fries :P
I was in charge of making the itinerary for the week, and I selfishly took everyone to the Autodesk Gallery on the first day (but only because I knew we couldn't make it any other day!). Fortunately no one seemed to mind :).
Autodesk produces computer software to design things. All sorts of things. Like most people in the architecture field, I work a lot with AutoCAD, which is a design program made by Autodesk.
At the Autodesk Gallery you can see some of the things and concepts that were made by using Autodesk software. It's also an interactive gallery, with cool stuff for you to do and try. It's free and totally worth it, even if you're not in the designing field or whatsoever!
Autodesk produces computer software to design things. All sorts of things. Like most people in the architecture field, I work a lot with AutoCAD, which is a design program made by Autodesk.
At the Autodesk Gallery you can see some of the things and concepts that were made by using Autodesk software. It's also an interactive gallery, with cool stuff for you to do and try. It's free and totally worth it, even if you're not in the designing field or whatsoever!
This is actually what an elevator would look like in a construction drawing! Very cool touch.
This dinosaur is a 62,500 piece replica of a dinosaur model in Legoland, Denmark. Lego uses Autodesk to create 3d models before they actually start to build stuff!
All these movies were made using Autodesk (Up! I love Up :))
And.. of course architects use Autodesk. This is a model of the beautiful Cathedral of Christ the Light by SOM in Oakland (which we visited later that week).
Embarcadero view from the window at the Autodesk Gallery
Then we took a tram to Fisherman's Wharf! This is probably the most touristy place in San Francisco, but fun to see nonetheless.
Now you don't see that every day
Piano stairs! Makes walking up the stairs so much more enjoyable.
And the main *attraction*.. Sea lions! A lot of 'em! Great animals, they're toootally livin' the sweet life. Just nappin' and eatin' away.. Sometimes they push each other off the docks, which is funny to watch.
They don't actually know why they're there, but they've been there ever since the earthquake in '89. I've read that they actually disappeared last June, and it has become somewhat of a mystery. Did they leave for food? Or is there another earthquake on its way (oh god let's hope not)?
They don't actually know why they're there, but they've been there ever since the earthquake in '89. I've read that they actually disappeared last June, and it has become somewhat of a mystery. Did they leave for food? Or is there another earthquake on its way (oh god let's hope not)?
Alcatraz - just a little foggy! I couldn't take a picture of the Golden Gate, that was totally covered with fog (that happens a lot in San Francisco apparently).
Oh San Francisco... even after one day I could tell I was going to like it here a lot!
Oh San Francisco... even after one day I could tell I was going to like it here a lot!