I spent the 23rd, 24th and the 25th, on Pier 32. The Norwegian Star docked as part of a cruise, and its passengers were given the day to explore San Francisco. The job was to set up a Marsec 1 processing facility, and my part was to power it.
Apparently, Norwegian Cruise Lines has something of a reputation for just dumping passengers into the city and crossing their fingers. After being processed through homeland, who can even keep the city and dock location a secret (i.e. not very helpful) the passengers found us. "He's wearing a tool belt, he must know where we are." Pretty soon a rhythm was established.
- Tell the driver to bring you back to Red's Java Hut. Nothing else has signs, but everyone knows where Red's is.
- We've got a guy at the front gate waving a taxi sign, as soon as we nab one, it's yours.
- Coffee emergencies: (apparently the ship serves bilge water ) Red's for a cup, or continue on past the giant bow and arrow to the clocktower for the real deal.
- Fisherman's Wharf: That way and don't say I didn't warn you.
Pier 32 is a huge slab of broken concrete, tar, and chain link, sticking out into the bay. It seems that a city that prides itself on shunning every industry except tourism might want to fix up its dock facilities a bit. There were 2,200+ people on that ship with cash in pocket. No city representative, no maps, catch as catch can with the taxis and a giant iron plate over the hole a semi made a few weeks back. Note to circus of supervisors: more ships = more tourists = more income. So skip the soda tax, bait the darn hook, and invest in fixing it.
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