San Francisco

I was thinking today about the trip I took to San Francisco last month and really it was like celebrating 2 centuries of being alive.
I was actually born in San Francisco (well really Santa Clara if we're going to get specific) 20 years ago and moved away after the earthquake in '89. For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to go back and see what this place was like. This was such a big dream for me that I couldn't say no when the opportunity came up.
Unfortunately I built high expectations for myself. Its not really that great of a place other than to say you've been there. I wouldn't want to live there. While I was there I didn't really enjoy it. But looking back on it, it was a great trip. I think what really made it worth it was seeing the Golden Gate Bridge. I got chills.
So after being gone for 20 years, I went back and saw the places my parent's talked about. And I did it all on my own... well mostly. It was my first big adventure without adults really (although the Savannah trip comes pretty close). Even though it sucked having to pay for it on my own, the trip was that much more mine.
So giving myself a 400$ birthday present to see the state I was born in on my 20th anniversary of being alive was totally worth it.

As a side not I learned the most crazy thing today. Monkeys open their bananas from the opposite end then us. Its actually quite effective. View the instructional video for more details!