I have a feeling that 72 hours was probably the perfect amount of time to spend in a town that modern. It can be distressing to stumble upon American chains when you are abroad (though the Starbucks we found in Tokyo was a godsend) but it looks like you guys found great local spots and really made the most of the short time you had there. Totally fun! Safe travel to New Zealand

..and David…if you are talking about Ike’s place…yes…it is indeed the best sandwich shop in the city Love
Cheryl

I’ll be presumptuous and post a long comment here out of the hope that at least family readers (but probably not others) will find the account of our own Thanksgiving interesting.

But first, WOW—Santiago looks absolutely lovely! I, too, clearly have had misconceptions of Chile (based not on college, but on Naomi Klein’s excellent book “The Shock Doctrine”). Glad you guys have managed to get a taste of it (it’s going to be interesting to hear—months hence—which places you’re hoping to return to someday).

Speaking of return, we just pulled in from yet another quick trip to San Francisco (quick meaning four long days of driving for our own ‘taste’ of urban life). It was so odd to pull into Berkeley (we met Siobhan up at the Rockridge station) and not swing up to see you guys. Instead, we headed off to lower Haight and spend two-and-a-half days getting a delightful sense of Siobhan and Miguel’s current life. What fun! Highlights included a long walk down through the Mission (where we got to see Miguel’s school and classroom), a gorgeous lunch at a nearby park (we gorged on vegan sandwiches from what is reputed to be the ‘best’ sandwich shop in the city—and likely is). The day was spectacular—warm, blue skies and, from our picnic table vista—fabulous views of the city on all sides. Had a great tofurkey dinner in S & M’s (I know—that doesn’t sound so good) lovely apartment. It’s small, but wonderfully well-appointed and decorated. I think Siobhan enjoyed hosting her first Thanksgiving. We met some of their friends—very nice and international (one grew up an ex-pat in Indonesia, another was from Costa Rica). On Friday, Siobhan, Karen and I (Miguel had to get caught up on work—something I should have spent some time doing) walked down to the Bart Station in the Castro (it’s about a 12 minute bike ride for her each morning, but about a half hour walk) and caught a train downtown to the shopping district on Market (near Yerba Buena and the Metreon). Place was packed for Black Friday (Karen likened it to the most congested areas she’d encountered in Tokyo), but super fun to be jostled along by the masses. Couldn’t walk three abreast, so often I’d drop behind and watch as heads turned to check my daughter out (she’s stunning as always, but a more urban version—replete with the high heeled boots—you could almost hear people thinking ‘Is that a famous model?). Then, after a lot more shopping (Miguel showed up later, and he and I took in a movie—a hilariously terrible disaster flick which was lots of fun), Siobhan had Karen decked out in new pants, a stylish coat and a pair of boots of her own—what a duo! Also managed to get in a few rounds of Oh Hell—a sort of passing of the torch (not that our torch isn’t still burning bright, mom and dad!)—cribbage and some backgammon. All in all, a terrific visit, totally worth the drive (which was even longer on the way back as it was dumping in Tahoe and nobody seemed to know how to drive on the sort of snow that is pretty much the norm here in Telluride during the winter).

Anyway, I’ve probably bored enough readers out there, so I’ll end here (need to get prepped for tomorrow’s classes). Can’t believe that tomorrow will see you winging your way to New Zealand. Have fun! Keep posting. We love sharing your travels vicariously!

Much love,

David & Karen