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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">===========================================<br>
L O W L A N D S - L - 08 April 2009 - Volume 06<br>
===========================================</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br>
From: <span class="gd"><span style="color: rgb(121, 6, 25);">Roger Thijs, Euro-Support, Inc.</span></span></span><span class="gi"> </span><span class="go"><<a href="mailto:roger.thijs@euro-support.be">roger.thijs@euro-support.be</a>></span><br>
Subject: <span class="gi">LL-L "Travels" 2009.03.29 (01) [E]</span><br>
<br>
> From: R. F. Hahn <<a href="mailto:sassisch@yahoo.com" target="_blank">sassisch@yahoo.com</a>><br>
> Subject: Travels</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">> ...As for <b>San
Francisco</b>, I’m familiar with the situation and can
give you my bit on it. </span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Â </span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Thanks for
all suggestions on the list, as well as for the mails some members have sent me
directly.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">This is for
giving some feedback.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Â </span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">1 - I
basically travelled for free, using my Delta frequent flyer points. It costed
75000 points, but for 5000 points more I got a businness upgrade to SFO (not on
the return flight though).</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Â </span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The total
price of the ticket was not 0 though 302.25 euro, including airport
taxes, 20 euro "partner airline handling charge", 57.87 euro
redemption fee.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The best
alternative I had from the Belgian Connections travel agency website was
448.75 euro all included with United in coach class. So with my
(75.000 or) 80.000 frequent flyer points I just saved 50Â euro on the trip.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Question
is: is it still worthwhile to focus on collecting ff-points.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Â </span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I usually
take coach class. On some airlines as "Jet Aitlines India" the
food in coach class is bether than what you get in business with Delta.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Â </span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I was
afraid I would miss my first connection in ATL (Atlanta). I had to queue for about an our at
the immigration pasport control. Now they scan all fingers (4 steps + picture
of your face) and start interviewing intensively again. I also had to queue at
the customs gate, though in despite of a long queue it went rapidly. And
finally the security check went smoothly and rapidly too. When I arrived in
terminal A for the connection to LAX (Los
Angeles), boarding was already going on.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Â </span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">In LAX the
terminals are not connected. Since I had to continue with Alaska Airlines I had
to take the bus to the proper terminal (and queue again for security check).
The service in first class at Alaska
let you choose between free crackers and free pindas, while in coach class
people have to pay in case they are short of snack food. The personnel of Alaska has its own
style: they are making fun and telling jokes all the time, even during the
safety instruction.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Â </span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">My luggage
was lost. I'm used to that and filed a claim at the Alaska desk. Transfer to the BART railway
station toke some extra time, since the blue airport train was out of service
and the red line was redirected over the cargo and rental cars lot. I guess I
got about the last BART train to downtown. It stopped for about 30 minutes at
South-San-Francisco since there was a medical emergency incident at Powell and
the train was hold up for that. At Powell there is I direct stairway to Stockton St and it
toke me just a couple of minutes for walking to the hotel.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Â </span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">2 - Next
day I was a bit hidden in a quiet corner at a conference (in travel clothes and
travel underwear) and phoned several times to Alaska and Delta. Delta told they had handed
over the luggage in LAX. Alaska
told they never got it from Delta. I also understood from Alaska luggage tags are only scanned on
international flights, not on domestic flights.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I started
threatening with my European ticket covered by AIG-Europe, and this made decide
them to put my stuff on an American Airlines flight they do codesharing with. (Alaska had no flight on Wednesday
and clearly wanted to keep the luggage for a flight of their own, one of the
next days). So Wednesday night, after 24 hrs of waiting, I finally got my
luggage. It costed me several tips to the hotel concierges during the day and
in the night for keeping them alert.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Â </span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">3 -
Breakfast omelettes were coming out of my ears. At the conference they offered
free breakfast: omelettes in a croissant the first day and omelettes in a wrap
the second day. On Saturday I went to Borders for breakfasting: guess what they
had: an omelet with cheese and spinach between toast.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Â </span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">4 - I did
some book shopping.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">There is a
Borders </span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">- in the
Westfield shopping center (San Francisco Shopping Center, 845 Market St, at the
Powell Station) </span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">- as well
as a very large one a few blocks away at Post and Powell St. (400 Post St), </span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">- and a
Barnes and Noble at 2550 Taylor St
(Fisherman's Wharf).</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Street maps
can be also found in the Walgreens (every 2 blocks downtown).</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Â </span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The best
street map for readability:</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">- San Francisco in detail, global grahics ISBN
0-918505-21-6, with very detailed enlargements for Fisherman's Wharf and for Golden Gate Park.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Â </span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The best
street map for public transportation (including bus lines):</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">- San
Francisco Muni and Bart guide, 8th edition,</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Great
Pacific Recreation and Travel Maps, ISBN 978-0-938011-78-1</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">an
alternative is:</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">- San
Francisco Transit Map and Street map, global graphics, 0-918505-10-1</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Though the
busline-grid is such a mess (day lines, night lines, fast lines etc.) that I
doubt these maps are very helpfull.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Â </span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">We had a
discussion on this list about copyrights a couple of weeks ago.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I found
these interesting:</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">- Stephen
Fishman, <strong>The Copyright Handbook</strong>,
What every writer needs to know, 10th edition, 2008, Nolo, ISBN 1-4133-0893-7,
xii + 527 pp + CDROM with forms, USD 39.99</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">- Stephen
Fishman, <strong>The Public Domain</strong>,
How to find and use copyright-free writings, music, art & more, 4th
edition, 2008, Nolo, ISBN 1-4133-0858-9, xiii + 446 pp, USD 34.99</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Needless to
say that it is basically about US-law.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Â </span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">5 - Hiking</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Â </span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The street
pattern is very squarely implemented on very hilly ground. Downtown SF goes up
and down between three major hills Russian Hill, Telegraph Hill and Nob Hill,
but the urban developpers didn't take that into account and drafted strait
lines for the streets. When you turn a corner you don't know whether the next
street will go up or down. So good planning when
hiking between points of departure and of destination is very
important for saving or spending calories. Unfortunately the street maps do not
have contour lines (as topographical survey maps have). </span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Â </span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">A sight
from Telegraph hill in the direction of Russian Hill</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.euro-support.be/tmp/sfo/str3.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.euro-support.be/tmp/sfo/str3.jpg</a></span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">One easily
recognises Lombard street
with its winding pattern on top.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Â </span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Lay-out of
the houses is adapted</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.euro-support.be/tmp/sfo/str1.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.euro-support.be/tmp/sfo/str1.jpg</a></span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">and the
sideways are often rugged for the safety of walking:</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.euro-support.be/tmp/sfo/fp.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.euro-support.be/tmp/sfo/fp.jpg</a></span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Â </span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The town
developped had to make some concessions though in their square mind:</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Kearny St</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> is interrupted for the Coit tower
hill</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">and Grant St ends with
stairs at Francisco St.:</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.euro-support.be/tmp/sfo/str2.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.euro-support.be/tmp/sfo/str2.jpg</a></span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Â </span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">For Stocton St they
solved with two levels for the length of a few blocks:</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.euro-support.be/tmp/sfo/st1.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.euro-support.be/tmp/sfo/st1.jpg</a></span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">For
reaching the upper level by car one needs to drive a block around.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Â </span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The tunnel
leads to Chinatown:</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.euro-support.be/tmp/sfo/st2.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.euro-support.be/tmp/sfo/st2.jpg</a></span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The area is
very bilingual:</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.euro-support.be/tmp/sfo/cht2.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.euro-support.be/tmp/sfo/cht2.jpg</a></span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">and the
blocks are sliced by small cosy streets:</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.euro-support.be/tmp/sfo/cht1.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.euro-support.be/tmp/sfo/cht1.jpg</a></span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Â </span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">6 - For
testing public transportation a cable car trip from Powell to Fisherman's wharf
is a must. (Attention: choose your destination: there are 2 termini:
Bay&Tayler and Hyde&Beach, respectively at the East and West end of
Fisherman's Wharf).</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">One has to
queue for about 15 to 30 minutes at each end on sunny days; add eventually 10
more minutes for queuing at the ticket counter. It costs about 5 USD per
single trip. I would rather advice to purchase a 3-day all-in card for 18
USD, valid for all downtown transportation). Although it the
car seemingly full at departure, additional passengers are squeezed in at
intermediate stops.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">A new
English word I learned: a "<strong>standee</strong>".
Each car has place for 8 standees at each side. This is just a step and one
hangs on the car at the outside similar to what one sees on trains in Mumbai.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Â </span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">At the end
the car has to be turned manually by the personnel:</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">as at Powell:</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.euro-support.be/tmp/sfo/ct1.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.euro-support.be/tmp/sfo/ct1.jpg</a></span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">or on the
turntable at Hyde&Beach</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.euro-support.be/tmp/sfo/ct2.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.euro-support.be/tmp/sfo/ct2.jpg</a></span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">One sees
the passengers queuing all around the turning areas.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Â </span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">From
Fisherman's Wharf one has a good sight on Alcatraz:</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.euro-support.be/tmp/sfo/alc.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.euro-support.be/tmp/sfo/alc.jpg</a></span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I also anjoyed
the museum with old mechanical game machines (Musée Mécanique)</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">(close to
Pier 45 with the USS Pampanito Submarine)</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Â </span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Powell
station is a very good starting point, not only for the cable car to the North.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">There are
several bus, trolley and tram lines on ground level all along Market Street,</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">and as well
the Muni and the Bart rail systems under ground.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The food
court area of the Westfield
shopping center is also connected underground.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Â </span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">As to the
travel guide-books the turning roller stairs in this shopping center (Nordstrom
Wing) are unique:</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.euro-support.be/tmp/sfo/rst.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.euro-support.be/tmp/sfo/rst.jpg</a></span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Â </span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">A
suggestion for a trip in an other direction: take the N or T
underground line to Folsom,</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">and enjoy
the fresh air and sight on Bay
Bridge</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.euro-support.be/tmp/sfo/br.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.euro-support.be/tmp/sfo/br.jpg</a></span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">It is a
quit alternative for the Golden Gate.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Â </span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Some
indications in the MUNI system are multilingual, some examples:</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.euro-support.be/tmp/sfo/lang1.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.euro-support.be/tmp/sfo/lang1.jpg</a></span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.euro-support.be/tmp/sfo/lang2.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.euro-support.be/tmp/sfo/lang2.jpg</a></span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.euro-support.be/tmp/sfo/ct3.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.euro-support.be/tmp/sfo/ct3.jpg</a></span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Â </span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">7 - Food</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Â </span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">At
Fisherman's Wharf I had a very tasty fish chowder as appetizer (USD 4.95). Since
most fish dishes were above 25 USD, I limited my budget to 14.95 USD for a fish
and chips. It was no better as what you get in the streets in London. I had additionally a glass of wine
for USD 7.50</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Europeans
should know that prices in the US
are exlusive.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">In this
case I see on the ticket</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">10 percent
is added as <strong>sales tax</strong></span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">3.5 percent
is added as<strong> "SF HLTH INI" tax</strong></span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">and it ends
with:</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Â Â Â
For your convenience</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Â Â Â
<strong>Tip </strong>calculator</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Â Â Â Â 15
perc is USD 4.66</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Â Â Â
20 perc is USD 6.21</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Â Â Â
25 perc is USD 7.76</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Very helpfull
indeed.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">What is
curious to me in the US
is that fish is always served baked or barbecued. Except for soupes, you
never find it boiled, and served with just a tasty sauce.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Â </span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I needed
some time for finding a restaurant in Chinatown.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Some
restaurants are rather street eateries,</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">many are
dim sum</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I finally
found one with a more normal serving.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The
vegetable pieces in the soup were quite large and fell from my chop sticks when
I tried to byte them. The waiters were attentfull and gave me some western
tooling. For main dish I ordered some sweet and sour porc.It was just
sweet, very sweet, in a thick red jelly, reinforced in sweetness with pieces of
ananas.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Â </span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The food I
most enjoyed was just at some of the boots in the food court under the Westfield shopping
center. It is very green in a way that some tramp-alikes are waiting for taking
care of your left-overs.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Â </span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">8 - Return</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Â </span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Since I had
an early flight at 6 am I toke a taxi: 40 USD incl tip (versus USD 5.37
with the BART, but the BART is not running that early on Sundays)</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Â </span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Since I had
a gap of 4 hrs in Atlanta
I took the Marta to downtown. I did not realize it was Sunday, which made me
virtually the only one with a Caucasian look in the streets. When returning I
didn't find the stairs down for the train at the Philips arena. An older guy
was so kind to help me, since he was going that direction. He guided me on a
bridge with stairs down to a desolated parking lot, with at the overside the
Five Points station. Since I said I wanted to continue alone, he said he was
homeless and wanted money. I gave him 3 one dollar notes, but he said
it had to be at least 5 dollar. So I gave him additionally all coins I had in my
pocket, got rid of him and fortunately found an open exit at the parking
lot.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I should
have known. I have worked for several years for a company, based at Norcross, NE af Atlanta.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Â </span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">When I
finally arrived in Brussels,
my luggage was missing once again. Fortunately I got it delivered at home one
day later.</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Â </span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Regards,</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Roger</span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Â </span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">----------<br>
<br>
From: <span class="gd"><span style="color: rgb(91, 16, 148);">R. F. Hahn
<<a href="mailto:sassisch@yahoo.com">sassisch@yahoo.com</a>></span></span></span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Subject: <span class="gi">Travels</span></span></p>
<p style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Â </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;">Thanks for
that report, Roger.<br>
<br>
Just a couple of comments:<br>
<br>
Things would have been quite different had you had more time or this wasn't
your first visit. Places like Fisherman's Wharf are tourist traps. As is usual
at such places, vendors do not count on repeat customers and are therefore not
terribly concerned about the individual's opinion about prices and quality,
just as long as there's a continuation of the queues. You usually get better
value for your money somewhere away from the thick of the main tourist track.<br>
<br>
Indeed, fish is usually deep-fried, pan-fried, grilled or barbecued. In actual
restaurants (i.e. not at take-away stands) you also get not only baked fish but
also steamed fish. I personally welcome the absence of boiled fish (other than previously
dried fish like <i>lutefisk</i> or <i>bacalau</i>), for the very thought of
boiled fish with mustard sauce or some other sort of sauce fills me with
childhood memories of the horrendous type. Boiling fresh fish robs it of most
nutrients and flavor. It should be outlawed. ;-) But I realize that's a
cultural matter and I may be an aberration.<br>
<br>
I quote our reverent Lady Liberty (who started off French and thus has
impeccable taste by mere association):<br style="">
<br style="">
</span></p>
<p style="margin-left: 40px;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;">Give me
your tired, your poor,<br>
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, <br>
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,<br>
The retching that will eat boiled fish no more. <br>
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me: <br>
I lift my lamp beside the golden door<br>
And feed them fish sticks and sushi galore.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;">Â </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;">Regards,<br>
Reinhard/Ron<br>
Seattle, USA</span></p>
•
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