SF HHDL Day 1

Friday (Jan's Berkeley CA): Woke a little before 7 AM. Morning meditation. Checked in on Jan, who was stirring. Shower. Checked in on Jan. Fed the evil cat. She got up around 7:45, but we were quickly out and on our way, driving to the station, eating old bananas, navigating the parking system, and catching the 8:15 BART into the city.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Bill Graham Civic Center, San Francisco.
Managed to find a line that was moving quickly, and found our seats without a problem. Saw Wnd and other KKC people around. The event began on time, at 9:30. Chanting in several different languages, and then Buddhist teachings on dependant arising. A break at noon. Wnd, Jan and I walked around and found lunch at a crepe place. Enjoyable conversations covering a wide range of life experience. Back to the Civic Center for the second session, which began a little ahead of schedule at 1:55. Struggle staying present. The event concluded for the day at 4 PM.

Jan Wnd and I wandered around for some time looking for a place to eat "Chinese Noodles." We found ourselves in a not so nice part of town. I saw one guy casually throw a hypodermic needle, like a dart, into the tire of a parked car, to free up his hands to aid in his search for a vein on his leg. We found a Chinese place the "Golden Kim Tar Restaurant." Adequate. But lovely conversation with sparkling beings. Said goodbye to Wnd back at her hotel. Jan and I took the BART back to Berkeley. I packed up my stuff and did a little organizing. Meditation while she was taking a bath. Then, packed the car, and last goodbyes for this trip.

Drove north across the Richmond Bridge to Fairfax. Stopped in town to try to find a coffee. Scruffy Californian youth. The bookstore, with live jazz band, disappointed, but 7-Eleven came through. Yvonne had just returned from Hawaii, on business, where she had coincidentally seen His Holiness the Dalai Lama give a talk in a stadium. She got me a fun Hawaiian shirt, featuring ukalalies. Hanging out with her and Griff. Soon bed.