Our trip to San Francisco and Oakland was a blast. The Raiders game was incredible and we even got a huge 38-17 victory. All of the stories that you hear about the fans at Raider games are true. The fans are crazy and the tailgate party is like a cross between Mardi Gras, Halloween, and a heavy metal concert.

The weather was wonderful in California and even the usual foggy San franciso Bay was clear and sunny. We took a little boat trip under the golden gate bridge that was spectacular and had a full day of winery tours with plenty of wine tasting.

Veronica wanted to go to a real Californian raw restaurant where everything is completely raw natural foods. No meat, preservatives, or even cooking (steaming is allowed). I was pretty skeptical, but it was actually fun. The place was very “new age” complete with a new age spiritual game at every table where you could take turns saying words of affirmation to each other. All of the menu items had names like “I am happy”, “I am peaceful”, “I am joyful” and my soup was of course “I am warm”. This way you have to say it to order it. Then when the waitress brings the food she says “you are warm” as she puts the soup of bean sprouts and mushrooms in front of you. I have to admit that I really liked the spiritual feel of the place and I think it sparked something inside me to think about how words affect people. The whole time I was sitting there wondering if everyone there could tell that I was NOT warm, peaceful, or joyful. I tried to smile and fake it and I was actually in a better mood when I left. There could be something to it. The only complaint that I had was after I paid $40 for a lunch that tasted like grass I was saying to myself “I am hungry” and “I am broke”.

http://www.withthecurrent.com

Luckily the quality of food improved as the week progressed and it wasn't long before I was face first in a big bowl of clam chowder at Fisherman's Warf. It was one of our best trips yet.