Mc Donald’s Ranch

Well, back in the ranch! The weekend has gone with the city and everything it represents. Is like being transported to a different world where beauty and life is understood in a different way. I love these contrasts, comparing the good and the bad of each lifestyle.

I had quite an adventure though. Yesterday in San Francisco, after walking for a long time on Mission Street gathering more information about jobs and apartments for rent, I got stuck not being able to withdraw cash from my debit card which I think got blocked after the three chances to dial the pin at the ATM machines. All I had was three dollars cash which was barely enough to eat something cheap, i.e. a hamburger at McDonalds, mmmmhhh!!! Even though I always travel very short in terms of money, it is indescribable the vulnerability and misery that overcomes me when I have no money left at least to call someone for help. I don’t know if other people share this reaction but being in a city like San Francisco with so many homeless people asking for money in the streets, I picture myself asking for help with no one paying any attention to my words or caring a shit on any explanation I could give. At the end I was able to pay a bus ticket to Santa Rosa after spending most of my day walking here and there looking for possibilities trying to withdraw cash from practically every ATM I passed by.

When I got to Santa Rosa, Linda, the lady who picked me up from the bus station, drove me to Philly’s Giant Burgers where I got the best hamburger (with cheddar and bacon) I’ve ever had. Was it because I hadn’t had any food since the morning or were those burgers really the best? I think both facts contributed. I have never been fan of hamburgers but if you ever want to try a good one, I think it must be in California. That’s one of the few things I actually feel like really authentic from here. And you wouldn’t look for the best ones at a chain restaurant, like Jack in the box or Carl’s Junior, but in the small local business spread around. It’s like in Mexico that you find taco places (puestos) everywhere but there are some that are just the best and you need to know it from someone else or have good chance.