Travelog for: Rafael

The excitement is winding down here.  The Giants won the World Series and will have a parade here on Wednesday, and this is election is day, my host is glad to see all the campaigning end!  The time has come for me to start thinking about packing up and traveling on.  My host still wants to take me to 100s of places and will definitely try to get me over to see the sea lions at Pier 39 where there is also a good postcard shop.  Mom, she says I’m welcome to come visit again, and maybe I can bring you. 

Here are some photos of our trip to Union Square.  That’s in the St. Francis hotel lobby where people say, “meet me under the clock.”  Is this where Tony Bennett left his heart?  That’s the Dewey monument in the middle of the square.

After helping my host vote on a ten-page absentee ballot bigger than the average monkey, we set off for a walk through steep streets, past the church where Joe DiMaggio married Marilyn Monroe, on to Pier 39 where we saw some sea lions and then back home to rest on my favorite pillow.  Many of the sea lions have migrated away so only one float is full of them where usually all floats are over-crowded.  Joke of the day, “people who live on hills are seldom on the level!”  Bye for now,

Rafa

Hi All,

We had a picnic lunch at Lands End on the way to class.  Hmm, lots of warning signs.  That’s the Golden Gate Bridge in fog.  See ya soon, ciao,

Rafa

Hola,

I like to climb trees for exercise; ooooooo the ghosts of Halloween are still in this one.  It was such a nice sunny day without wind that we decided to take a walk on the Golden Gate Bridge.  There was a lot of noise from the traffic; the speed limit is 45 miles per hour instead of kilometers.  My host said she loves to be a tourist and bought herself a mood ring with images of the bridge, cable cars and hearts on it, she is a child of the ‘60s.    At a bus transfer point we went into a park to get a drink of water and a consultation with Yoda (the statue).  So wise!! 

We are off to a particularly good adventure tomorrow!! Can’t wait, will tell you all about it.

Bye for now, Rafa.

Hi all,

On the way to a special adventure we rode a commuter train called CalTrain. which goes down the peninsula between San Francisco and San Jose.  We went to Burlingame, California to see a sight that is number four on the list of America’s top ten wackiest roadside attractions.    We were on a mission to get a postcard that was requested by a Postcrosser.  My host has had this place on her list of places to go before she dies for almost two years but needed a push to complete it.    I had a lot of fun on the train.  We bought our day pass from a machine, a plaque says that the Burlingame station is the prettiest on the line, we rested on a bench surrounded by roses in bloom, I got a nice seat all to myself on the way to Burlingame but had to stay in the bag on Jeanne’s lap on the way back.  Will tell you all about the wacky place next time.  Bye for now,

Rafa 

Here we are leaving the Burlingame train station, yes that is a palm tree (toupee) growing out of my head; there was no time to climb trees so we headed straight for the Pez Museum of Memorabilia.  Did you know that a Yoda Pez dispenser is now worth more than $500.00?  We bought some postcards and a couple of $2.00 Pez dispensers for stocking stuffers.  Since our mission to get a postcard was completed, we treated ourselves to a coffee break and scone with vanilla bean frosting.  Yum, here’s other photos at coffee breaks, one at the Museum of Modern Art and the other at a local coffee house.  A money cannot live by bananas alone.

I’m all packed and ready to go to the next adventure, I’ll be traveling by plane thru the USPS.

Ciao, Rafa

 

Here are some photos of me just hanging around, the arch is the entrance to the museum where Jeanne takes her art history class, that’s El Cid on the horse, T-Rex at the Academy of Sciences, and some outdoor art.  Is this my best side?  LOL  Lastly, that’s a typical bus stop with an unusual light pole showing scenes of the American West.

Enroute soon.  See 'ya.

Rafa

Seems like a longtime since I first met my host at the post office and she helped me unpack right there so I could see the neighborhood; it’s time for me to hit the trail again.  I’ll just relax and sleep on the long long flight back to Europe.  I said goodbye to my host, her friends and neighbors and took a last cable car ride on the way to the post office.  Bye Bye San Francisco.  Hasta la vista.  Hugs.

Rafa

Rafael is now in the care of the USPS; happy trails to you, Rafa.

Your friends in the San Francisco Bay Area.

P.S. We got word that Rafael got back in time to enjoy Christmas at home. 

Happy Holidays!!

I have arrived home after spending a wonderful time in San Francisco. Thank you once more Jeanne! And for the nice souvenirs, too. My luggage was full of them and Mum had to get me a box where I can keep all my treasures now.



Mum is too busy at the moment, but let's hope I won't get bored too much

Rafael

Today I was very excited. Last season my favorite football team won two cups and now they decided to take the cups around the country by bus. Today the bus arrived to Toledo and I got to see it!



I also wanted to see the Christmas lights, but Mum could not take good pictures of me in the dark, so I only have this one with the artificial tree of our "barrio". It does not look too nice with daylight. In the evening it is a bit better, but I still prefer real Christmas trees.



Rafael

Today is the day of "El Gordo", which is the traditional Christmas lottery (lotería in Spanish). I also bought one! Well, Mum did not let me to spend 20 euro on a whole ticket, instead I could by a small part. I bought mine from the supporters of my favorite football team Unfortunately I did not win anything, but I can keep the ticket in my box.

Yesterday the Three Kings came and brought presents to all the good children. Today is a holiday and for breakfast we had the traditional "roscón de reyes". It always has something hidden inside. Mum says last year they found a little figure of Minnie Mouse and guess what! This year we found Mickey!

I had my roscón with cacao and it was really delicious.



I also wanted to show our "belén". In Spain people used to set up nativity scenes in their homes and also in churches, squares, offices... Everywhere. Some are small, some are big, but I like al of them. This is how ours look.



Mum only started to buy the figures last year, so she does not have too much yet, only the most important ones. But the great thing is that you can add more pieces every year.

Bye,
Rafael