My Vacation in San Francisco, June 2003

I am a deaf digital artist living and working in New York City.  Most of my illustrations are created using the Apple Macintosh and Windows PC.  For years I have been working as a staff artist for McGraw-Hill Companies since 1979.

Because I am deaf, email is the most convenient way to communicate.  I am making an effort to meet new friends from around the world.  Luckily, I found Rob's website on the Internet four years ago. Rob is a system administrator for an insurance company and a graduate student.  Next year, he will complete his studies to get Master Degree in Computer Science.

Sometime we exchanged our emails and then he invited me to visit him in San Francisco someday. Finally, I decided  it was time to take a vacation.

On Friday, June 27, 2003, I flew from New York to San Francisco.  When I arrived at the airport, my taxi cab dropped me  off at the Church Street Bed and Breakfast.  The B & B is near the Castro, one block from Market Street and all the streetcars lines.  I met Julie Bulliard, the owner, and she gave me the key Rob had left for me so I could stay at his house while he was visiting friends in Toronto.

The next day, I took a taxi to Rob's house up the hill near the neighborhood of Corona Heights. I thought it was not very far from the B & B.  I entered and walked up the stairway and back to Rob's room by the deck.  I felt awkward because he was not home.  I spent most of the weekend playing on my laptop.  He came home on June 30th and we were finally able to meet before I returned to the B & B.

While he was working for the rest of the week, I had spent more time touring the city.  That Tuesday evening we met at Gold's Gym on Market Street.  I thought the men there were big and muscular. I wish I could be like them.  I was able to work out with him and his friend, Chuck a few more times.

On Friday, July 4th, I checked out of the B & B and stayed at his place again for the long weekend. The next day he introduced me to his close friend, Fuad from Saudia Arabia.  He came to the United States ten years ago.  He is currently a personal trainer.  We drove to a Chinese Restaurant on Potrero Hill.  After lunch, I took this picture of Rob and Fuad next to his jeep.

On Monday, July 7th, the shuttle bus came to take me to the airport.  My friend Rob gave me a tight hug before I left.  He is a very wonderful , sincere man I have met along the way of my life. I would like to thank him for his hospitality.

Perhaps he and his friend will come to visit me in New York City after he completes his studies first next year.  Hopefully, we will go touring the Apple city.  If so, I will get more photos and stories like this for my website.

Top of page