Day 8 of October

LA, Disneyland, San Francisco, Vancouver, Victoria, Madonna Vacation
(con't)

Day 9
Thursday, September 27th
Happy birthday to my cousin Tammie, who is exactly one week younger than I.  Bill found a gym yesterday on our trek home, so this morning, he decided to try it out.

 That gave me a little longer "get ready time." It was after 11:00 when we left our room today, and unfortunately neither Bill or myself felt the need to discuss what our plans were.  I thought we had decided on a plan the night before, but I must have been dreaming.  I had wanted to walk through ChinaTown and check out all the little shops.  Bill knew of a walking tour that started at 12:30 on the far outskirts of Chinatown.  This meant we had to rush (up and down many roads), and rush through china town and it's crowd of people to hopefully catch the tour that would take us back to where we just came from.  We arrived at the meeting spot at 12:35 and the tour had already left.  But another tour operator advised us that if we rushed (some more) we might be able to catch up to them.  Now Chinatown in San Franscisco is about 40 blocks in total 4x10.  Do we follow some lousy instructions and rush back through Chinatown or make our own tour?  NowIi'm sure there are some wonderful and interesting facts about one of the largest
Chinatowns iin  Northa America.  But really, I just wanted to stroll, and window shop, and people watch.  Finally after a couple of hasty blocks and countless locals and visitors alike, I suggested to Bill that we abandon our hunt and do the tour on our own.  I think I used the phrase "mosey".  By now both of us are a little perturbed for different reasons.  Lets just say we made our way out of Chinatown faser than we both wanted.  Next stop, the little Italy tour, which wasn't on our original agenda, but both of us were to stubborn  to say no.  Thank god for little Italy.  It was only 45 minute tour/walk, which was just about the right amount of time for both of us to cooll off.  The tour guide did all the talking, so we didnt' have to.  We learned and seen some interesting facts.  There is a Catholic Church that Joe DiMaggio had his first marriage in.  He tried to marry Marily Monroe there, but church wouldn't allow it because Joe's first marriage hadn't been annulled by the church.  The other cool fact about this church was it's address.  The building number is 666. Irony here.  

We concluded the tour in Washington park, which by the way, holds a large statue of Ben Franklin. No body could explain why.  

By now Bill and I have returned to our cheery, talkative selves (use your imagination) and we set out for the water front once again.  We finally come across a nice little Italina restarunt where Bill could get his assortment of seafood, and I could  order something with alcohol.!!!!!!   The meal was delicious and once again, we make the climb back to our hotel.  If my leg muscles haven't stregthened by the end of this trip, well then i just wasn't meant to be.  It was an early night; not even the tv went on becasue Friday is a really early start.  Our flight for Vancouver leaves at 8:15 am.  Who would book such an early flight, oh yeah me.