So as of this past Sunday, I am living back in San Francisco for the first time since I was 13 (almost 24 years ago!). Mabel will be joining me by the end of next week. I am now working for the City & County of San Francisco. It has only been a week and I have to say I really like my job and the people that I work with. Hard to believe that we are back after living in Southern California for almost 11 years but it is nice to be back home.
One thing Mabel and I did before we moved was to start visiting many of the restaurants that we liked and wouldn’t be able to go to in a long time. One of those is Philippe, the 
Original French Dip. Located in Los Angeles. I have to say this is one of the best sandwiches that you will ever have. My personal favorite is the lamb sandwich, 
double-dip, with jack cheese. Couple that with some coleslaw, a pickled egg, and tapioca pudding for dessert and I am in heaven. They also have some great pies, macaroni salad, lemonade, soups, and coffee is still only $0.09 per cup. Yup that is right, per cup and you can order as many as you want. I remember one time I saw an older gentleman leaving the counter with something like 10 cups of coffee on one tray. All that for $0.90! Now look at this, doesn’t it just look beyond good?
Now that I’m living back in the City (yes if you live in San Francisco or are originally from here San Francisco is known as “the City” and never, EVER call it Frisco!) I’ve been able to go around to a few places I used to like visit. Been able to have a good burrito at Gordo (see my post here) and had dinner quite a few nights with my in-laws. They used to own a restaurant in San Francisco for years and have since retired, but their cooking goes on and on. You’ll never go hungry when they cook for you. I have never had a bad meal from them. They are an awesome couple and have always treated me like a member of the family.
And while I am on the subject of family, let me just say it is nice to back amongst family. Mabel is still down in Valencia for another week so it has been hard being away from her and Roxi but being surrounding by family has been great. My sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law are great people. It is refreshing to be around people who really who do anything for you and I would do anything for them. I haven’t had that feeling of family in a long time; ever actually. Hanging out with them and being part of their family I can see why they are so close and why Mabel is the great person she is. I count myself very lucky to be part of this family and know that I can count on them for anything and likewise they can count on me for anything. I can’t wait for Mabel to come back up (at the end of the week for good).
One thing I have done since being back is going to one of my favorite book stores, namely Green Apple Books on Clement St. For those of you who have never had the joy of going there, the only way to describe this place is as a be all and end all bookstore, both new and used. You need a book, most likely they got it. I have found quite a few gems there. And it is not just books but CDs and DVDs too. I could sit in their for hours and find a book about any subject. I spent the other night looking through the San Francisco history section, followed by Pop Fiction, and finished off in US History with a dab of computer/IT books thrown in. If you are ever in the City I highly recommend that you stop by and have a look. Oh, and they buy books too!
Then I heard the sound that I truly have missed: the sound of a fog horn. I remember growing up and hearing that sound and wondering what it meant. When I finally learned it did become a soothing sound. I also think it is great that the Giants use it when they hit a home run. A great way to celebrate. I stayed out a the bridge for a few minutes to breathe in the air, listen to the horn and then I went home. It was then that I could really feel and tell that I was back home in San Francisco.I truly am happy to be home.
