Day 4 - Sunday - Dinner with my Great Uncle

Our original plan for Sunday was to get to Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco at 9 am and then head to the Exploratorium (museum) when it opened at 10 am. There were two reasons for such an aggressive start to the day: 1) to beat the crowds at Fisherman's Wharf (which is a very popular tourist spot) and 2) to fit in as many sites in San Francisco before having dinner with my mother's uncle. Unfortunately, we did not make it to San Francisco until 11:30! We went straight to the Exploratorium and got out at about 1 pm. I already had a place picked out for lunch, so we drove straight there. It was only 4 blocks away! When we got there, it turned out that they were closed for lunch on Sundays! But there was a hostess there preparing for the night and she was so friendly. She recommended another place that was also family-friendly and was only 2 blocks away. We walked over and enjoyed a great lunch. Even my dad, who is very picky, liked the food! The only downside was that it was a little on the late side for Kira and she struggled to get through the meal.

After lunch we had some time to kill before going to my Great Uncle's house. He wanted us to visit his place for a little while before going out for dinner together. We went to Fisherman's Wharf and enjoyed the atmosphere. It's a little like Coney Island, except not so freaky. One thing that I was really looking forward to were the seals that like to sun bathe on the pier. They pile up on each other and bark loudly. It can be deafening. But, for some reason, there were not that many seals. There were only a handful. I hope the next time we visit, they will be around. Kira slept in the stroller the whole time we were at Fisherman's Wharf.

Finally it was time to see my Great Uncle. He's 87 years old. He lives with his 3rd wife, who is 84 and elegant. My Great Uncle is such an inspiration because he takes such good care of himself. He eats right, he exercises, his house is pristine, and his mind is so sharp. My aunt who lives in SF and sees him more often says that if you tell him the down payment you plan to put on a house, he can tell you how much mortgage you would pay per month! I hope my parents grow up to be just like him.

Dinner was a struggle for all of us. After a full day of going places, our colds were taking a toll. Both Kira and Renee were cranky and Trevor and I just couldn't keep it together. Everyone at the table, of whom included my mom's cousins and their kids, could tell we were fading. We had no appetite and no matter what we did with Kira and Renee, all they wanted to do was cry. I think that was the most difficult dinner Trevor and I have ever had with the kids. Despite that, the food was good and interesting; it was different than the Chinese food in Boston. My mom says it was more Hong Kong style. Trevor was so tired, he didn't want to do the 1 hour drive back to the hotel in San Jose, so my dad took the driver's seat.

Pictures coming...