One thing that was really bizarre was not having to go through customs! I'd done this at Calgary airport, which is a really weird way round to do things, so I basically collected my bags and then left.
It took me ages to figure out where I was meant to travel from, however. I had thought about getting the metro to my hostel, and then walking, but I felt quite tired and had been told there were shuttle buses that I could get which went direct to the hostel, which didn't cost massively more than the metro and took a lot less time. The only problem was, I couldn't find the right place, and every time I asked someone, I got a different answer. So frustrating. I was about to give up and just get the metro, when finally I got a sensible answer off of someone and found the right place to go. Then, a lengthy wait, and finally I was on the bus on the way to the hostel. I was so ready for my bed (bearing in mind that it was an hour later in Canada, and by now it was well past 11pm local time).
I arrived at the hostel, having already emailed them to say I would be arriving after 11pm (they said they were open 24/7), and having said a rather sleepy hello to them, was greeted very abruptly by one of the receptionists with "do you have a sleeping bag"? Huh (I thought). That's an odd greeting. I know some cultures are more polite than others - I'll never forget Jade Hostel in Hue, where they came out and met me at the door "you must be so hot, and tired, let me take your bag - would you like some fresh juice?"...but this has to be the weirdest greeting ever.
Anyway, I answered yes, and the guy was like "you need to hand it over, San Francisco rules". He didn't explain what these rules were (I can only assume it's got something to do with bed bugs), and I have absolutely no problem with these rules, but what I do take issue with is the lack of common sense in this situation. I pointed out that my sleeping bag was at the very bottom of my rucksack and it was going to be a huge pain to get it out and given the lateness of the hour, could I bring it down tomorrow? Nope, not an option. Finally, I asked if I could at least unpack my bag in my room and bring it down, but you've guessed it...of course I couldn't. So there I ended up, unpacking pretty much the entirety of my rucksack in the hostel lobby to get my sleeping bag out, when I was absolutely shattered already. It was completely ridiculous, and rules or no rules, it wasn't going to do anyone any harm by being in my rucksack. What's even more ridiculous, is they have been very inconsistent about this, because when I finally got up to my room (I was worried that I'd wake people up, but the room only had one other occupant, and she was still up), she mentioned that she had a sleeping bag and hadn't been asked that question. Grrrrrrrrh. Oh, I should also say, my sleeping bag is only with me for the nights we are camping where I've been told I need a sleeping bag! Anyway rant over.
I slept in a bit the next morning, probably a bit too long as common sense would have told me I should have gotten out earlier to maximise my hop on hop off bus pass, but never mind.
There was a slightly nicer guy on reception that morning - still nowhere near as friendly as some of the staff in the Canadian hostels (although I've just realised that nearly all of those people were either Australian or British...), but he was helpful suggesting which sights I should prioritise with my bus pass and giving me directions to the nearest stop (which my terrible sense of direction still managed to confuse - my fault, not his!). I did feel able to point out that I thought the bedding had a whiff of cannabis so he said he'd get that changed.
I'm actually glad I got lost on route, because it meant I ended up coming back to the hostel, and I subsequently put on some shorts and grabbed my suncream. I'd lost all concept of warm weather having been in a much colder climate!
Even on route (or as the Americans would have it, rowt) to Union Square, I was answered very abruptly by a local when I asked if I was headed in the right direction. Now I know why Americans have such a warped view of us Brits being polite - maybe it's not so misjudged.
Walking towards Union Square I had to walk past a LOT of homeless people. They are literally everywhere. I've since found out that homelessness is an enormous problem in San Francisco, and there is a massive gulf between the haves and the have nots, what with Silicon Valley and the Tech giants, and then this evidence all around me. There is nothing in the middle apparently.
San Francisco feels dirty, polluted and there is a really negative energy about it. I think the contrast is even more stark, having been in Banff just the other day, which is so pure and clean.
I really hope today will improve.
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