Woke up like the dead returning to life, and once again skipped the keynote speaker (it was once again something that didn’t sound interesting at all). Hit up the sunflower cafe (it’s the closest thing to a routine I really have time to establish), and headed for the exhibition again. A few more booths had shown up this time that had not been there before, and I got some more free stuff.There wasn’t really anything interesting in the morning sessions, so I went to one on mobile Linux (ie, linux on phones and PDAs and stuff, which is a new development, and quite a few people are very excited about it. I don’t think I can get linux on my Tungsten, so it’s not that exciting for me) just to check it out, then hit another security session on Linux Intrusion Detection Systems, taught by the same guy who did the hands on hacking one. So that one was pretty good, although it was a little over my head.
Not really much else happened in the morning, so I headed off to a Dim Sum place. I’ve never had dim sum before, and I gotta tell you it’s a little intimidating if you don’t know what the hell your doing. And holy balls it’s expensive and definitely not really worth it, at least at the place I went to. Maybe I need to go again with people who know what they’re doing.
Yerba Gardens, which has become my favorite locale in San Fran
So I headed back and actually caught a keynote speech! It was all about Nationwide and how they saved money. But it actually was kind of interesting. Then I headed over for a session hosted by the Suse Linux guys, only to discover that it had been cancelled. There was also a “Celebrating 20 Years of Linux” session going on at 4:30, but I decided to skip that so I could take off and see the Golden Gate bridge.
this caught my eye on the way
So I rested for a little bit and then took off, having to hop on two different buses (and I was just thinking “I haven’t had a good concentration camp on a vehicle experience in a while”), and I had no idea where I was going. That was a little scary, but I met a couple people who sort of helped me out, and I eventually got there along with two college kids from Penn State, who took the buses at the same time there and back as I did.
some park on the way to Golden Gate
I’ve never been to the Golden Gate bridge before, but I’ve seen lots of pictures. And I have to say those do not do it justice. Wow. It was breathtaking, and I took seemingly two million pictures. I also crossed the whole bridge (8400 feet in total. whew), and just generally marvelled at the capability of humankind. It was windy and it was cold, but I made it. I also had to call my parents and Ryan and Jacqui just to point out that I was looking at the Golden Gate bridge at that exact moment (I love doing that). So I guess I’ll just let the rest of the pictures speak for themselves. (warning: lots of pictures to follow. Sorry if it takes a while to load)
Angel Island, which has a fascinating history
about half way. Shit that’s a long walk
Vijay was right, you really can’t look up at these without getting dizzy
my mother wanted me to get a picture of the lighthouse in San Fran. I have no idea if this is it, but it’s the closest I could get to whatever this is
Thorougly exhausted, I hopped the buses back to the hotel, grabbed some more thai food and headed to the jacuzzi. After that, I went to the lobby bar, only to discover that the bartender that had become the closest thing to a friend while I was here wasn’t working. I was really disappointed, as I was kind of looking forward to telling her about going to Golden Gate. I don’t know why I get so sentimental, but I was also disappointed, because I didn’t think I would really get a chance to say goodbye to her, as I’m leaving tomorrow. I’m getting close to the usual sentimental time I go through everytime I go on vacation, I can just feel it.
I can’t believe I’m leaving tomorrow. It seems like I’ve been here for a while. I’ve already kind of gotten used to the way this city works. Great Asian food within seconds all the time. Art everywhere. The amazing coffee. The steep and crooked streets. Very friendly people on all the mass transit (at least so far). The foggy yet strangely sentimental mornings. Makes me wish I was in love. Funny how that happens.
Reluctantly on to Day 5! (how many people do you know who would use reluctantly and an exclamation point in the same sentence!)