Flat and Boring

Not all runs in San Francisco have to involve hills, bridges, coastline and spendor. This one is flat, one small hill, and one bridge to run under. This was my run on Saturday.

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2283270

While many people enjoy running along the Embarcadero I am not one of them. I would much rather prefer running through downtown and The Tenderloin than this. You do pass through tourist filled Pier 39, the overpriced farmer's market at the Ferry Building and AT&T Park but there are few things to challenge the mind body on this route. What it does do is give you the mileage. 12 miles with an up and back along the Embarcadero. ugh!

Expensive Pears

I have come to learn, as with many cultures, Koreans like to call certain things 'Korean'-something. Take these 'Korean Pears' for example. The Japanese call them Japanese pears. If you are Thai you call them Taiwan pears. Another example is the 'Korean Grape', which is a Concord grape.

The nashi pear, Pyrus pyrifolia, is sometimes called the Asian pear, as well as sand pear, apple pear, bapple, papple, and bae, from the Korean or li in Chinese. In India is it called nashipati and in Bangladesh and Nepal it is called nashpati. Nashi pears are widely grown for their sweet fruit, a popular food in East Asia. They are sweet on the tree and are eaten crisp.

My real reason for this post is the price. 30-bucks for seven (7) pears, over 4 dollars each. Koreans pride themselves on their pears and they are very sweet, juicy and delicious. I am not a big fan of pears but these pears are delicious. But $4.20 for a pear!

While I was in Korea I passed several pear orchards with each pear wrapped in paper to protect it from bugs and elements.

Happy Chuesok

Chuesok (chew-sock) is the Korean Harvest Moon festival. This holiday is scheduled on the lunar calendar so it will fall on a different day each year. In particular Chuesok is the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar; however, the day on either side is also celebrated. It is a lot like the U.S. Thanksgiving, but with gifts and special games.

Michelle picked up some Songpyeon (pronounced song-pyong) which is a traditional Korean food made from glutinous rice. Songpyeon are half-moon-shaped rice cakes filled with sesame seeds or chestnut paste steamed over a layer of pine needles, which gives them the fragrant smell of fresh pine trees. They used to be made into various shapes with the participation of family members and were often exchanged between neighbors. They are eaten on Chuseok and other festive days.

They are not loaded with flavor and are quite chewy.

Dumplings

Our kitchen turned into a dumpling factory last night as Michelle made dumlings (English) Gyoza (Japanese) or Mando (Korean). Two kinds, beef and shrimp. After she chopped and mixed she allowed me to scoop and wrap. They turned out quite good. Now we have enough dumplings to last a month.

2 Days 40 Miles

Saturday 13 miles.
Sunday 27 miles.
Yes, Sunday was on bike and Saturday was running.

Here is my Saturday run:
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2262006

Here is my Sunday ride:
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2261987

Tomorrow I am going to take the bus for 4 miles.

San Diego

We made the trek down to San Diego to get away and just relax. We ended up gorging ourselves with fish tacos. You can have your SeaWorld, keep your Mission Beach and Torrey Pines, the fish taco is the real reason to visit San Diego. Fish tacos anywhere else do not compare to these tasty treats, and cheap. Fish tacos here in SF cost around 7-bucks. In SD they are around 3-bucks and so much better. Sorry, I do not have any photos of said tacos as I was too busy stuffing them down my face. I do have a picture of this so-called Korean BBQ beef. Michelle and I tried to figure out what made it 'Korean" but really could not. It made us think what 'passes' as ethnic food in some places. What makes adding won ton bits enough to call it an 'asian salad'? Does adding curry to something really make it Indian?

Chihuly

I finally got around to checking out the Chihuly exhibit at the deYoung. I get good use out of my membership but it really came in handy on this visit as non-members have to wait to see the exhibit using timed tickets. Members can just walk it. Glass-blowing never looked so fabulous.

Face to Face with Giants

I had the great opportunuty to interview Willie Mays back when I was in college. While my experience was anything but enjoyable it did not diminish my respect and reverence for this Giant of baseball, some would argue the greatest to play the game. Before Saturday's the Giants dedicated a new statue to The Baby Bull, Orlando Cededa, and Willie Mays was there stealing the show. Orlando was the man of the hour but where ever Willie went the crowd buzzed.

Natives on the Beach

Once again while running I happened to stumble upon something cool and unexpected. An artist was recreating a historic photo featuring Buffalo Bill and dozens of Native Americans on horseback. The playwood cutouts were quite detailed and the backdrop of the ocean made very dramatic.

Today's run was along the Coastal Trail. After a week of unusually high tempertures the fog and chill returned making the run pleasant and enjoyable.
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