Monkey's -- Adventure

Czech Plush Monkey's Adventures!

Monkey sees and does stuff.

"It's important to teach people stuff," Opice said during breakfast Saturday morning. Then we learned why. "We have a responsibility as Californians to show the tourists the cool places and tell them tall Tales of the City. Karel-the-Exchange-Student hasn't seen San Francisco yet. It's our job to take him."

We explain that we don't have time today and Monkey says, "Except he has to see the Parrots of Telegraph Hill." to which we counter that we've already planned today's chores and there's no time for a trip "Except," Monkey insists, "Karel needs to see Coit Tower and Golden Gate." except we say back, maybe another day in a couple weeks, "Except I promised we'd take him today, today, TODAY!"

We picked up Monkey's Xchange Friend in Davis on our way. It was going to have to be a fast trip, so we drove thru China Town, up and down some hills (we really didn't want to but all the one way streets, ya know?), found a place to park (amazing!), walked past City Lights Bookstore where Opice explained about Beat Poetry ("It's weird."), and found an Italian Bistro for lunch.

Then we drove to Golden Gate Bridge and parked in the overflow lot.
Surprise, surprise,
what did Monkey spy?
But a tricycle chained by a Motorcycle guy!

Only in San Francisco! Opice hopped on for a foto-op, of course.

Karel continues to be astonished at how amazingly crazy Americans are. I mean, he'd never carry a plush toy with him in Europe! But he does in California and he sees how happy it makes people who meet Opice (and him).

Monkey sits atop the cable cross-section to show everyone he's here. Many tourists rush to photograph him.

"Thank you for coming. Visit my website. Autographs are available for a nominal fee."

Karel asks what "nominal" means. It's a tricky word to explain in this case. What do you think we should tell him?

Many people take Monkey's picture and a nominal number (zero) pay for an autograph.

"Common, Karel. Let's go climb on the bridge." Climbing isn't allowed, which makes it twice as much fun for the Plush-One.

"Don't try this at home," Opice warns a passer-bye, "unless you have a big bridge. Wanna buy a bridge?"

The tourist says, "Absolutely not! One does not buy a bridge in America. I know." and goes looking for the bridge patrol.

"I'm tired. Your turn to carry me, Karel." Before the young Czech can say no, he's been checked by the younger Czech.

"This concludes our quick trip to San Francisco," Monkey narrates as if we were listening.

"I hope you enjoyed it as much as Karel did. Didn't you Karel?"

The Xchanged Kid doesn't answer because he's busy putting all his chewing gum in his mouth so he can't be made to.