Cue Tony Bennett

[stgulik]

Our San Francisco day trip was so much fun!

My midwest relatives got to check a few things off their vacation to do lists. They saw the ocean--in fact, the teenage girls were fairly boisterous at their first sight. They took loads of selfies in front of the Golden Gate Bridge, and later had their first taste of sauteed calamari, fresh off the pier.

Also, we saw a whale underneath the bridge! It was my first real live whale, so that's a thing that got checked off my own list.

Ushering them around reminded me of my first time there. That's why I really like taking relatives on tours: for the nostalgia factor. Also, I love them and want them to be happy, of course.

Comments

[mimimanderly.livejournal.com]

What a great post! There is no better way to get that thrill of seeing something afresh than to take someone else along who is seeing it for the first time. And calamari! I remember when I was young, I wrinkled my nose at the thought of eating squid. Once I got into the restaurant business, however, I tried it. Oh, my god... yum! We have a restaurant we go to that has spoiled us for calamari anywhere else; they are the touchstone. It is sauteed with a coating that has just enough seasoning, with green olives and capers, served with a garlic aioli instead of the ubiquitous marinara sauce. Heaven!

[stgulik.livejournal.com]

I didn't know you were in the restaurant business! The whole family tried various fishy dishes, with mixed results, but the calamari was a true hit.