So I have been in  San Francisco for just over 3 weeks, and in the US for almost 2 months! CRAZY! I’m settling into the hostel which is to be my home for the forseeable future. Where I left off, I was going to check out a room for rent. Since then, I have decided to forgo a private room in a rental somewhere and stay at the hostel long term. I just got too sick of looking for rooms, when most were scams, too expensive or too far away for someone without a car. I’ve still got an ear close to the ground, but it’s nice to not have a sense of urgency anymore, as I can stay here as long as I like. For what I’m paying, its probably not the BEST deal in the world. But the range of freedom that I have here makes it worth it. I’m really central to a lot of different areas and it’s only a 20 minute bus ride into work. Plus, if I want to leave for a short trip or anything, I can leave without paying while I’m gone. So for someone in my situation, its pretty great. It’s really not as bad as everyone thinks. The beds are comfy. I have curtains that I can close if I want privacy. The place also forces me to socialise, which is good. If I want to eat dinner, there will always be other people around, wanting to chat. It’s great. I know that if I rented somewhere with only one other person or something like that, I know I would probably isolate myself a little. So staying here is good for me. Haha.

So I been having a really good time here and meeting lots of cool travellers. It’s funny because sometimes I felt like I was weird for wanting to travel solo, but being in a hostel you become surrounded by people that are exactly the same as I am. Perhaps at home I was the odd one out, but here I realise I’m only one of so many like minded people.

There was a day a couple of weeks ago, where I was planning to go to a market that I’d found out about. I happen to be talking to a group of other solo travellers at breakfast and then, next minute, I’ve got about eight tag alongs. It’s funny how things just happen like that. It ended up being an awesome day walking around with these international travellers where we not only went to the market I was interested in, but we also saw the Painted Ladies (iconic houses in San Francisco that are on most postcards for the city), went to an awesome smoke house for lunch, and then spent the afternoon in golden gate park. So I’m slowly learning that going with the flow is a really good thing.

I’ve done a few day trips on my own, including walking down to a place called The Yard, which is a shipping container down near AT&T Park right next to the coastline. It was a perfect day to walk around, with a hot beverage in hand taking in the sights.

Delores park, a place where people go to chill out, walk their dogs, have picnics and drink coffee. I loved it, even on a quiet day, the atmosphere was really cool. I then walked on to a Patisserie that I had heard good things about called Tartine. It was a really cute place with beautiful pastries, and also a very long line going out the door…on a Tuesday…so it must be doing well.

I then headed to a park that I saw on my map was close by and decided to check it out. My map didn’t really show what kind of park it was, and when the route there started inclining a lot, I realised that I was heading to an amazing lookout. When I got to the top, the view was breath taking. I could see the whole city! I met a guy up the top with his son, and he told me a lot of different places that I should check out. Which was really awesome. But besides him, there really wasn’t anyone else there. So I like to think that I discovered a semi-secret spot. Haha.

I also went to my first Zouk class in SF and it felt great to get back into it! Hopefully I meet some people from the classes. I have really missed it! Everyone was really cool and the teacher was awesome, so at least I won’t lose touch with it while I am away from home! I am also going to join a gym, so that I can feel like me again! I really miss it funnily enough. It feels like a drag when you are doing it, but now that its been a while since I have worked out, I forgot about how good I feel.  The gym has lots of cool extras like a pool, spa, and steam room, as well as lots of classes.Plus, it’s just another thing that makes me feel a bit more normal.

On every other day however, I am working a lot. It’s really great! Everyone is really lovely and it’s a great atmosphere to be in. I’m also really enjoying doing serving again as I get to chat to people all day long and I like making sure they have a good experience. Servers here can make some serious money in tips and I’m still not used to it! Everyday I leave with cash in hand and I feel like saying “Is this for real!?”But it is! So I’m a happy chappy. The bakery puts out some amazing pastries, and I am trying to absorb as much as I can from a distance, however the head pastry chef is keen to get me into the kitchen for a few shifts every now and then, so hopefully that happens soon.

For the next few months, I’m going to be trying to save a lot so that I can top up my savings to where they were before, as well as take some smaller trips around California while I am here. So hopefully thats achievable!

Well, I guess thats it for now. Thanks for reading! Will write more soon! xx