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Pockets of Calm

Found this garden on Market Street Yerba Buena Gardens on Mission between 3rd & 4th Streets Yerba Buena East Garden (in front of SFMOMA) The waterfront behind the Ferry Building In the shadow of San Francisco's skyscrapers, there are many places to kick back and unwind, perhaps during the lunch hour or after work. The images above show some of these pockets of calm. * * * Images by Charie

Ferry Building Marketplace

One of my favorite places in San Francisco is the Ferry Building Marketplace on The Embarcadero and Market Street. I love to walk up and down this indoor market and check the array of offerings from meat and seafood to cheese to fruits to wine to plants and flowers. There are several restaurants and cafés including the famous Vietnamese restaurant, Slanted Door. Cowgirl Creamery's Artisan Cheese Shop It's fun to browse at Sur La Table with its cooking tools from around the world or if reading is your interest, The Book Passage has a branch here. Afterwards, it's nice to sit outdoors if it's not too cold and enjoy the view of the bay with a delicate pastry or a nutritious fruit in hand. Farm Fresh to You For a list of merchants at the Ferry Building check their website at http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/. The Ferry Plaza Farmers' Market is open on Tuesdays and Saturdays in front and at the back of the Ferry Building. * * * Photos by Charie

"My Life is My Message" - Mahatma Gandhi

Behind the Ferry Building in San Francisco is a promenade with tremendous views of the bay. It's especially inviting on a warm day when you can sit outside and begin to relax while listening to the sound of water lapping against the pier. In the midst of this outdoor setting, there's a statue of Mahatma Gandhi. The inscription beneath his thin frame dressed only in a skimpy robe and aided by a walking stick reads: "Non violence is the greatest force at the disposal of Mankind. It is the supreme law. By it alone can mankind be saved." And right below his name and vital records is this quote: "My Life is My Message". * * * Photos by Charie

The Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco

The view of the Museum from Mission Street reveals only the brick façade of the former Jesse Street Power Substation. Hidden behind the neo Gothic cathedral of St. Patrick's is the startling extension to the Museum which is in the shape of a gigantic cube designed by Daniel Libeskind. Libeskind's idea of melding distinctive architectural styles translates into the successful fusion of the old substation in the Classical Revival style and the bold and contemporary blue metallic steel cube extension. View from Yerba Buena Lane The museum is located at 736 Mission Street (between 3rd and 4th), San Francisco, CA 94103 . It is a short walk from the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. http://www.thecjm.org/ Hours: Daily 11 AM–5 PM, Thursday 1–8 PM, Closed Wednesday. * * * Photos by Charie

"Survivor Package" in San Diego Resort Hotel

In beautiful and sunny San Diego, a four-star resort offers rooms for $19.00 a night. Great rate? There's no bed, no electricity, no toiletries included at this price. Bring your own tent and sleep on the floor. Oh, and don't forgot your flashlight and toilet paper. For more on this story click on the link below: http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/09/11/mm-hotelamenities/

5 Scams Tourists Always Fall For

This article from How Stuff Works says 25 million American travelers overseas were victims of these scams in 2008. Here are the scenarios: 1. Good Samaritans - scam artist is trying to help you out 2. Unscrupulous cabbies - literally cab driver takes you for a "ride" 3. Money changing "errors" - visitor unfamiliar with local currency 4. Create a distraction, steal your wallet - beware the woman who undresses 5. Fake police officers searching for counterfeit bills It's easy to be victimized traveling abroad because every traveler is vulnerable in a new and different environment. Add jetlag to that and ecco! , an easy target. I was once a victim of a money changer in Bali who swore he didn't have larger bills to give me hence he had to count thousands of rupiah as I stood soaking in the hot and humid air while he slid his hand over the bills and pulled out $12 worth of rupiah. Thank goodness the hotel staff where I stayed in Nusa Dua helped me recover the m