Be Sure to Wear Some Flowers in Your Hair

San Francisco, CA

USA

My first impression of San Francisco is that it's nothing like Sydney. I mean, people say it's like home, but it's not. The people are lovely (although there's always that uncertainty: Are they being nice when they talk to you, or are they just crazy? Or both?) I've gotta learn to not always be so nice back - it gets expensive. I must give off a backpacker vibe (maybe it's the backpack I'm wearing) because I've already been offered more unsolicited assistance in the street than... well, I have no simile to offer. Just lots of assistance.
In my room at the hostel, I can climb out the window onto a balcony of sorts. It's one of those external fire escape staircases. Just like in the movies. Everything here is just like the movies. But it's also got a realness about it. And it just feels comfortable.