Bay Tour

June 18, 2017

The Cable Car is a national monument and a means of transportation at the same time. Usually, something like that doesn't go together. In the morning at 9:30, there is a queue with a one-hour waiting time at the intersection of Market/Powell to board the monument and travel across the city. Along the way, smart alecks try to get on board, as it was originally intended. But those times are gone, as can be seen in the fare. The ride costs 7 dollars, other means of transportation cost 2.50 dollars.

Speaking of other means of transportation: At the other end of the city, we rent a tandem. Again, Gudrun negotiates recklessly. The list shows 60 dollars, the Hispanic rental company offers a special price of 45 dollars, and Gudrun gives him 30. Let's go. Where to? Of course, to the Golden Gate Bridge. What else?

Until then, it's an easy five kilometers with thousands of cyclists who usually drive cars or don't move at all. Photos are taken everywhere, even when a 50 cm wide passage is blocked. Not a few ride with a selfie stick in hand through the area.

Somehow, it's hard to believe when you're on the bridge. Actually, the Golden Gate? Can't be. But it is, and you want to succeed at the same time and wish it would last forever. The weather is great, but regularly very windy, and you don't feel the sun burning your arms and neck. It doesn't matter. Another photo, another "wow"!

The other side. Again, new perspectives that no one at home has ever seen. The town of Sausalito is about as expensive and overcrowded as the Mexican food chain of the same name in Germany. We go to a supermarket. There are actually good ciabatta rolls (a rarity in the USA), herb cheese, tomatoes, canned beer, and a bench outside. All for 10 dollars. That's enough for two ice creams.

The way back is a bit harder, also because the trip is coming to an end. We are warmly welcomed by the bike rental company, and they can't believe we didn't come back by ferry. Even younger people would have taken a taxi home without a bike.

He asks us where we are from. When he hears Cologne, he has a nice story to tell. Since childhood, he has been a fan of FC Cologne because he was given a jersey at some point. He just didn't know what "Cologne" meant until an uncle enlightened him that it meant Colonia.

We ride back to the hotel with another antique. The tram is part of the tourist program and dates back to the 1940s. Nostalgia is nice, but you're faster on foot, and some things really belong in a museum. On top of that, there's a performance by a drugged-up bum who can barely stand and constantly falls asleep. And then he starts fumbling with his pants. Is he unzipping or zipping them up? Compassionate husbands swap seats with their wives.

In the evening, we actually go to the theater. A slightly annoyed ticket seller sold us two balcony tickets for 22.50 dollars each in the morning, and we are curious. About the musical about Janis Joplin and where we would be sitting.

We are 20 meters above the stage in a gold and plush temple from the year after the 1906 earthquake. The theater is well attended, even though it's the second performance of the day.

Deservedly so: Great staging with fantastic voices and an audience that can sing along to every line, whether they are 20 or 60 years old. A great experience. Unfortunately, the great evening cannot save us from a terrible night, even though we buy a beer and a protective bag.