I left Toronto on August 2, a few days after my relatives (three aunts and one uncle on my father's side, plus their children) threw me an advance birthday party. I arrived in San Francisco on the same day, where another uncle picked me up. The next day, my friend Eric took me to Napa Valley for the only tourist-y thing I did on this trip—and I don't even drink alcohol!
Ate Vivian and Kuya Joey, my cousins, treated me to dinner with their families on separate days. It was a good experience because my last visit to San Francisco was almost ten years ago, when my nephew was too young to know who I was, and my two nieces had yet to be born.
Ralph and Mark, my former high school classmates, also took me out for a picnic with their wives and other friends. That was not all, however, that I did before I left for Manila on August 7. Unfortunately, it did not occur to me to take more pictures. It's a good thing that I was able to take a few when I met Rene and Che, my classmates in college, the day after I arrived.
In case you're wondering, yes, I gained weight during my six days in San Francisco. I suppose this is proof that when two or three Filipinos are gathered together... food will be served =)
