Key West: Sunset

Sunset at Mallory Square

Everyone who has ever been to Key West says watching the sunset at Mallory Square is the thing to do.  Though I’m not sure it’s what the locals do, it does draw a massive crowd.  Thousands of tourists pack themselves into the tiny pier to see street performers, buy kitschy artwork and jewelry, eat street food and – of course – watch the sun sink into the Gulf of Mexico.

Think of it as where the Venice Beach frequenters go for vacation when they retire; just replace Sublime with Jimmy Buffet, weed with booze, and skateboarders with tightrope walkers. It’s definitely not our scene, but we got a kick out of watching the patrons as much as the street performers.

One man's trash is another's way to sell overpriced trash to tourists. 

Ayk took this picture and it is possibly one of the best from the entire trip.

It took us at least 5 tries and 4 different locations for us to get this picture right.  I had to swerve in and out of the densely packed crowd, dragging Ayk behind me, to find the best spot.  I might have gotten a few dirty looks, but at least my persistence paid off.  This is one of my favorite pictures of us from the trip.

Some religious nut making Glenn Beck look almost sane.

Captivating an audience of two.

San Francisco: Dinner & Chinatown

Protest/ Truly Mediterranean

Amy went to the Egyptian protest with a few of their friends instead of sightseeing with us.  Understandably so.  Both Amy and Mo have family in Egypt right now, so no wonder they're so fervent - and worried - about the chaos over there.  Since we've started our trip, we've been so consumed by this trip and haven't really been keeping track of the news.  We had no idea about the Egypt uprising until Ayk called Mo a few days before we got into San Francisco.

Mo and Amy

I enjoy eating at the touristy eating spots to try their signature dish, but it's great taking the night off and going where the locals go.  Inside Truly Mediterranean, this hole-in-the-wall restaurant had several frames of newspaper clippings full of praise.  And rightfully so.  I'll let my pictures do the talking:

Chinatown

This is not your measly one-block DC Chinatown.  No, this place is massive and impressive.  Most of these pictures are from a closed-to-traffic side street, where they were celebrating the upcoming Chinese New Year, which is now passed.

Fear - then eat - the Turtle!

Tea samples 

"Can't talk, man.  I'm hella busy right now."

Tea tasting

 These were so weird.  They were beads that absorbed water and felt like eyeballs.

A glittery, golden cock in the middle of San Francisco.  Would you expect anything less fabulous? 

A perfect way to end the day: The sign at the terminus of US 50 in Sacramento!  We'll  be back soon enough, Ocean City.