Hotel Isomnia

Mike: I've tried skydiving.
Zan: I've tried throwing myself off a cliff.
Mike: I've tried sailing through a gale in New Zealand.
Zan: I've tried micro-lighting over Victoria Falls.
Mike & Zan: But nothing beats riding a Greyhound bus for the ultimate thrill experience. For just $69.95 you will receive an uninterrupted 12 hour trip complete with a former cocaine addict, ex-con, prospective social worker, an Irish backpacker and a crazy stoned Canadian.

Mike & Zan:
Lesson #4 - a) When riding the Greyhound it is essential to arrive early to ensure that your traveling companion is not a cocaine addict. b) Avoid eye contact with serape wearing Canadians. They may think you want to be friends.

Our Greyhound adventure began at the San Clemente bus stop which was run out of the local liquor store. After purchasing a one-way ticket to San Fransisco and were on our way. Things began to get interesting after our stopover in Los Angeles. After hopping off the bus we had to chase after our bags as they were unloaded and claimed by the aforementioned cocaine addict. Once inside terminal we came across two regular greyhound travellers in the middle of a heated theological debate, "You're the devil!" "No, you're the devil!"

People begin to line up about an hour before the bus is due to leave. By the time we found the correct gate, we were already towards the back of the line. The bus left LA at 10pm and was due to arrive in San Francicso at 5:30am. We were contemplating buying a bottle of sleeping pills for the journey, but after seeing our fellow travelling companions, I think we were both relieved to be as alert as possible.

After a sleepless night, we arrive at San Francisco. It was dark, cold and wet. We sat on our packs in the bus stop until we were moved on security. Then we bagan our 14 block trek to the hotel. Although reception was not due to open for another 6 hours, we were hoping that there might at least be somewhere to leave our bags while we waited. No such luck. The doors of the hotel were barred and locked, with no sigh on life inside. We set out with fully laden packs in search of breakfast.

A bakery, a McDonald's, and a Burger King later, it was time to check-in. Paying the ballance of our bill (including an absurd amount of hotel tax), we were given a key. Jumping lose floorboards and the local rodent population, we headed up four flights of stairs to our room. The entire hotel could politely be described as a "renovators delight", or more acurately a demolition workers dream.

Our room was small, but cozy. We were both exhausted to the point of hysteria, and hopped into bed. After a few minutes, it became apparant that sleep would not be easily forthcoming. The hotel was "centrally located" next to highway 101, and we were treated to a symphony of traffic and emergency sirens punctuated with the occasional vocal interlude from passers by.

For those of you back home who received a 3am wakeup call, we're sorry. It seemed like a good idea at the time;-) We bought a 3 day public transport pass for $18 which allows unlimited travel on all city-run transport. We jumped on the next cable car and headed to Fisherman's Wharf, where we feasted on seafood and chocolate. We were both exhausted, so we decided again to brave the hotel.