San Francisco Street Art Political Gridlock

Fox News 1% News 99% Fear

Street Art in San Francisco continues to entertain me. Above photo is a perfect example of the creative and outspoken residents and visitors of the 415. Using paper (US) currency as a medium for lowbrow, street-art propaganda really hits this counterculture's point. Money aint worth the paper it's printed on and war and media are whore for the dollar.

This style of graffiti started in the UK in the 1970s, but my first time seeing it in San Francisco.



Sidenote: FOX News is a Republican Bar

Louisa on the Diving Board in Yosemite 2002

Diving Board in Yosemite 2002

I was at a dinner party in Interlaken, Switzerland last sunday (10.03.2010) with a bunch of daredevils!! One was a BASE jumper from Australia, Grant R, the others was a beautiful woman from California now living in Interlaken; had no fear of sky diving, walking across makeshift footbridges or jumping off cliffs. Kind of made me a little insecure about my complete and utter fear of heights. I do have a fear of falling and heights, however, if someone bets me to do something, how can I say no.  I once read that "smart may have brains but stupid has balls". Well I do pride myself on the latter... Here is a little example of my 'stupid has the balls' story...


After hiking up Half Dome in Yosemite in 2002, my roommate bet that I wouldn't go out on the diving board. Here is a photo of me inching my way out to the edge. I did get out to the very tip of the diving board, but somehow can't find the photo. LOL just like the BIG fish that got away I guess.

We started the hike from Camp Curry located in Yosemite Valley at about 4000 feet elevation. There is a short, flat walk from Camp Curry to Happy Isles, the trail-head. We walked up the 'misty trail' to the first fall - Vernal Falls. There are some great photo ops here and I would take the time to enjoy the views, take some photos and then continue on to the Nevada Falls. It's about 8 miles up to the top of Half Dome (8842 feet). Once at the top of the Dome, we had lunch, took photos, climbed (well, I climbed) out on the Diving Board and then took a nap before heading down the ropes again.



On our way out we stopped to take photos of the guys/gals climbing El Capitan - I've always wanted to climb, but can't get off the ground

Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen & Horner Pub

Cows, Swiss Cheese, Annabelles, BASE Jumpers, and four girls on Bikes

Annabelle and Cow Switzerland 2010

ProBASE Jump World Cup Switzerland 2010

Focaccia! Homemade in Sciarborasca

One of the many reasons I fly to Italy every year... the homemade Focaccia!

Tomatoes and Olive Oil Focaccia  Italy 2010 - Varazze, Cogoleto, Sciarborasca

My family make the best... BEST Focaccia

Breakfast - Focaccia!  Italy 2010 - Varazze, Cogoleto, Sciarborasca

Everything is homemade here with the family. I love it!

From Italy 2010 - Varazze, Cogoleto, Sciarborasca

I really need to take notes and learn how to cook like this... She uses no notes, all from memory

From Italy 2010 - Varazze, Cogoleto, Sciarborasca

Madrid ~ Spain 2010

Traveling to me is about Food, Sports, Art and Wine - Madrid has all of that!

From Spain 2010, Madrid

One night & two days in Madrid! Lets go! First stop was for Tapas


Second stop for dolce

Dolce is a must Spain 2010, Madrid

Elise and Louisa walking around the park Bosque del Recuerdo (Forest of Remembrance) & exploring

Bosque del Recuerdo (Forest of Remembrance)Spain 2010, Madrid

"The Forest of Remembrance (Spanish: Bosque del Recuerdo), formerly known as the Forest of the Departed (Bosque de los Ausentes), is a memorial garden located in the park of El Retiro in Madrid, Spain that commemorates the 191 civilian victims of the 2004 Madrid train bombings and the special forces agent who died in the attacks on 11 March 2004. The seven suicide bombers subsequently killed themselves on 3 April 2004 while under siege by security forces in their apartment block."

Jessica StockholderSpain 2010, Madrid

Art in the Park by Jessica Stockholder - This building, the Palacio de Velazques, is centrally located in the Buen Retiro Park in Madrid.  Designed by the architech Ricardo Velazquez Bosco.  Very cool stop on our urban hike!

Elise checking out living art Spain 2010, Madrid

After walking the park, we stopped at a very cool bakery called Harina. Must stop there again to eat, um, everything! (H) arina is located at Plaza de la Indenpendencia, 1028001 Madrid, Spain

Bakery Harina Spain 2010, Madrid

While eating our 20 euros of dolce, we meet a very sweet guy that told us of MUST EAT AT places in Madrid. We took notes and later got the information and addresses!

From Spain 2010, Madrid

Dinner at a place that took us 45 minutes to find, but well worth the effort. Locals only spot and very hip (was told that it was written up in the WSJ) Must ask Elise for name of restaurant am possible if she remembers what we ate!


At dinner we met a cute Spanish guy that invited us to a 40th birthday party!

From Spain 2010, Madrid

Later at the birthday party we met all the friends (all knew each other from Ibiza) - Elise and I had the best chocolate cake at this birthday party! So good... still trying (but think I may have) replicated the yum!

From Spain 2010, Madrid

Our hotel was... clean and cheap

From Spain 2010, Madrid

Spain 2010 ~ Granada

Granda Spain for a couple of days in 46 degree weather! HOT!

From Spain 2010, Granada

Shopping and walking the cobble stone streets in 46 degree weather wilted me. This SF girl can't handle that kind of heat. So I just had to eat a pound of gelato a day to keep cool. It's now Elise, Jon and myself left on this adventure. We took a bus from Sevilla to Granada - not bad at all and slept the whole way! Thanks to Elise for organizing this part of the trip.

From Spain 2010, Granada

First day we walked around the shopping area of Granada during the day. I didn't purchase anything other than my normal 3 to 6 empanadillas. OMG they are so good! By the way, do you know the difference between an empanadillas and empanadas? I don't.

From Spain 2010, Granada

While walking around the sacromonte area we stumbled upon a very touristy Flamenco show

Flamenco em Sacromonte. Granada 2010

After walking around for a long day on the cobblestone streets, my feet are killing me and I need a glass of vino & something sweet to help with my 'barking dogs'

From Spain 2010, Granada

We split up today and I was walking around (not sure where) when I found this really cute bar. Ended up talking to four people from Seattle, WA and having a Tinto de verano. So refreshing.

From Spain 2010, Granada

Walking to the Alhambra. I didn't know that our hostel was on the main road to the entrance of the park and walk way to Alhambra. Cool!

From Spain 2010, Granada

Here's the the gate to the park

From Spain 2010, Granada

Alhambra Baths

From Spain 2010, Granada

Spain 2010 ~ Sevilla

On Saturday we packed up the villa and headed to the Barcelona airport. About an hour drive... not bad
Once in Terminal 2, I found out (but had known all along because the web site suggest this could happen) that Ryanair charges 40 euro to print out a boarding ticket & you need your ticket. So, I asked everyone in Terminal 2 to print out my ticket... no luck. I had to take a 10 minute bus ride to Terminal 1 to the business center (only 4 euros) then head back to T2. Nightmare!  My new business in the Barcelona airport ... protable printer and hang out by the Ryanair ticket stand... I´ll charge 20 euro... On the fight several gals were dress up (need to update when I'm back in US)

Lunch after biking around Sevilla

In Sevilla we rented to flats on 24 San Estaban (in the Santa Cruz area)... walked around, went shopping and had dinner alcaiza. Cute outdoors tapas, wine. Back at the flat, I had a glass of vino on our roof deck and people watched all night long. It was still very warm out... no need for a jacket here in Spain.

Door to our Flat  Spain 2010 ~ Sevilla

Sunday Sept. 12, 2010 we got up early (Tanya, Elise and I) and went for a run around the park near our flat. Parque de Maria Luisa.

Parque de Maria Luisa Spain 2010 ~ Sevilla

After our run, I had breakfast at the flat Spain 2010 ~ Sevilla

We rush to mass at The Cathedral of Sevilla The Cathedral of Seville is a religious building in Seville, Andalusia, southern Spain: it is the largest Gothic cathedral and the third-largest church in the world. Amelia, Elise and I went to 11am mass

After Mass photo with Jon outside  Spain 2010 ~ Sevilla

We met up with everyone after mass and walked around town, checked out shops, took a ton of photos, and visited the Plaza de Toros.  I think I will see a bullfight this evening.

Louisa, Elise & Amelie  Spain 2010 ~ Sevilla

Currently it's about 5:00PM and it's still 43 degrees out. Too hot to go anywhere...

The Bull Toro Toro Toro

We did visit the bullfighting event on Sunday night. It was about 8PM and still very light out. I thought it was all very exciting until they actually killed the bull?!?! Then cut his spinal cord. HOLY!!  I gasped "oh my God! They Killed Him" and all the men around me gave me the 'stink-eye'.  Was in need of several cocktails after viewing three more bulls being killed.  I like to think these bulls spent the first four years of their lives living the good Spanish life... the last 30 minutes looked a little painful.

My Favorite food... I think I ate three of these everyday