Fabulous Facade in Nice, France

One more reason why Nice is nice: Fabulous facades.

On top of that, it happens to be part of the French Riviera. Enough said, ne c'est pas?

The View from the Top of the World, I Mean, Mark

What a great view during today's lunch! TheMark Hopkins Intercontinental Hotel, top floor, has the very best panoramic views in San Francisco.

The Grove

Cafe in soma, San Francisco for Dylan lovers:)
wanna hang out with hipsters who were born after bob Dylan became a grandpa? Well, here is the spot for you with yummy food and cool design aesthetics. The Dylan
music is on an endless tape loop! No escape.
Your imaginary friend,
Patsie

Southern Cooking, of India, That Is

Dear Imaginary Friends,

Have you ever had the super spicy food of Southern India? Wow o wowee. Spicy hot! But nonetheless, creative delicious flavors of potatoes, dosas as big as your head, mix with various sauces, each of which is more combustible than the last...

We had a lovely dinner at Dosa, in the Mission District of  San Francisco. My mouth has finally cooled off, and no more smoke is coming out of my ears. Therefore, it is my mission to tell you about it. The Mission is a funky Hispanic community of fun ethnic restaurants, cool shops, and  local denizens replete with berets and dreads (Dreadlocks). Dosa is a beautiful eatery, with perfect service and decor. It attracts all ages and types. The name dosa comes from the flat bread which is crepe like, and stuffed with spicy potatoes.

Another part of our adventure was riding the BART train. It has all the "cleanliness" and rats of New York City's famed subway system, and none of the besuited bureaucrats of Washington DC's clean and quiet Metro system. But the characters who ride it are leaning to the left freaky-deaky side, and are often sporting annoyingly oversized backpacks or suitcases.

The closest neighborhood to The Mission in DC would be Adams Morgan, which is also hip, ethnic and flooded with young people.  If you venture to DC, and like falaffels, make a beeline for New Amsterdam, and behold the wonder of the falaffel there! It is super casual, really no more elegant than McDonald's, and quite possibly less. But your taste buds will dance up and down.

Go forth, and eat!

Your Imaginary Friend,

Patsie

Pitch It All Out!

Here is an interesting take on house keeping. This house in in downtown San Francisco. When we drove past it today, I did a double or triple take.
Someone did a Really clean sweep!

Your imaginary friend,
Patsie

Just Another Volcano

Dear Imaginary Friends,

While sailing the Mediterreanean a few years back, we were en route between Rome and Messina, Sicily, when we sailed past this magnificent little volcano,named Stromboli, spewing for all it was worth. Just another day in the sea near Sicily, where the boot of Italy kicks out into the Mediterranean.

After all, the famed Mount Etna's corona of hot ash looms threateningly over little Taormina, Sicily. Those Sicilians are a tough bunch, facing down that bellowing monster.

Your Honarary Italian,
Patsie

Escalator Glee

There is a magical escalator in San Francisco in the Westfield Shopping Center that looks like NYC's famed Guggenheim Museum! Swirling upward six stories tall in the central atrium, it is composed of concentric circles. How does one make an escalator into a spiral staircase? With difficulty, no doubt! It is in the SOMA neighborhood of San Francisco. One more reason to go.

Your Imaginary Friend,
Patsie