I ate a fresh fig!

I heard the other day that 90% of the food we consume in the U.S. comes from California. I'm not sure if that means 90% of the varieties of food we eat, or what (doesn't all the grain come from the midwest?), but the number is high. And I've been making the most of it!

In between furniture deliveries (hel-looo, cream leather couches from the discount store in the Mission District!) and watching the progress of the construction outside my front window, I've been exploring the food and drink options that the bay area has to offer.

Last Saturday, my mom and I went to the farmer's market to end all farmer's markets. Prices were higher than, say, Haymarket in Boston -- and the produce was better, the people nicer. Even better, the sellers all give out free samples (cheese, bread, olive oil, preserves, a huge variety of fresh fruits and veggies, even including fresh figs (!)). The fresh fig--which I didn't know came any way other than dried--was a big sign that I'm not in Massachusetts anymore. No offense to New England, but the fruits there never taste like the ones I've had every day out here.

I'm starting to think that the reason California kids are always so laid back is that they can just assume a constant supply of phenomenally fresh and tasty fruits and vegetables year round. On the other hand - maybe I'm assuming things about other people. Not everyone gets all excited about fruits and veggies the way I do.

On Sunday, we went on a wine tasting tour in Napa Valley, which was beautiful! Here's a picture:

That picture is of the vineyard at Andretti Winery, which is (side note) owned by Mario Andretti, NASCAR dude. The countryside was gorgeous. Kind of like going to Italy, but without the language barrier. We went to 4 wineries on the tour, and had an ongoing picnic of olive bread, gruyere cheese, olives, and apricots.

If you come visit me in San Francisco, I'll send you on the same tour - it was a lot of fun.

I also had two more food/drink triumphs today: I figured out how to get to Trader Joe's (by using a city bus), and I also found a seriously good thai restaurant within walking distance from my apartment. My neighborhood (this is a euphemistic term - it's really a few buildings and then a lot of apartment buildings under construction) may be dreary right now, but as long as I can get my TJ's fix and my pad thai, everything will be okay.

Have to admit, though, I really miss knowing exactly how to get to everything I need. I could practically get around Boston in my sleep after nine years, and now I'm in the position of going places and thinking, "Oh, crap! I figured out how to get here, but never looked up how to get home again! Now what???" I'm hoping to get this phase over with by the time I head back east in August, so there'll be minimal angst when I have to add in the Berkeley commute this fall.