When a friend was in town recently and we drove up to San Francisco. When we strolled around Chinatown we stopped at the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory. Now factory may bring up the wrong picture in your head. This small business located off an alley in Chinatown is not for the claustrophobic. It has room for two fortune cookie making stations, a woman who takes the money for cookies or pictures (taking a picture costs $1) and about 6 customers. It is interesting watching the process of the cookies being made. A machine creates and backs a series of circular cookies. A worker then grabs a fortune and folds the still warm cookie over a metal bar.

The factory is between Grant and Stockton. Grant Avenue is where most people go to in Chinatown, but the heart of the real Chinatown is a block to the west on Stockton Street. On Stockton you will find food markets selling live turtles, live fish, and vegetables that you might not normally see at your local corner grocery. So next time you are in Chinatown get off the beaten path. Try a fresh cookie or a bean pastry filled pasty from a local bakery. We all enjoyed the experience although there were some differences of opinion between my wife and I about how how good a fortune “a new pair of shoes will do you a world of good” is.

Popularity: 39% [?]

This week Motel 6, an economy hotel chain in the United States, announced a its first new prototype property in twelve years. 

“We are excited to have received such positive reactions from our customers about the “Phoenix” design, and are confident that our future guests will also appreciate the fresh, modern design look and welcoming appeal of the new rooms,” said Olivier Poirot, CEO of Motel 6 and Studio 6.

Phoenix prototype include a new building exterior designed by BOKA Powell, a spacious lobby with a new 24-hour food and beverage vending market place, and a modern (Pictures) guestroom design that features bright accent colors. The room includes ambient lighting, wood-effect flooring rather than carpet, and a 32-inch flat-screen TV. The flat screen TV is displayed on the entertainment unit which conceals the door-less wardrobe behind it, thus combining two needs into one unit. Also included on the entertainment unit is a cubby for personal items and a multi-media panel allowing guests to plug in their mp3 players, CD players and laptop computers – this feature allows guests to listen to their favorite tunes or use the flat-screen TV as their computer monitor while enjoying Wi-Fi internet access in their room. The room also features pedestal beds with a new taupe-colored coverlet and pillow-top platform mattress. Guests will also notice the clean style and the upscale touch of the colored bed scarf that matches the accent wall color.

Popularity: 40% [?]

If your life is getting a bit too hectic today I offer this relaxing minute courtesy of the DVD CALIFORNIA: Coastal Wildlife & Waterfalls DVD / WAVES: Virtual Vacations

Popularity: 33% [?]

The United States is opening a new website which is the “Official Travel and Tourism Website of the United States.” The site, which is set to go live some times this month, will provide information on U.S. destinations, attractions, and official travel information.

Although before the site opens those in charge may want to consult a map of California, because last i checked Monterey is not north of San Francisco, nor is Anaheim north of Los Angeles.

Popularity: 21% [?]

One of the things that I have always liked about the Hilo side of the big island of Hawaii is that it gets more rain so it is more lush than the Kona side of the island. Unfortunately, Hilo has apparently been getting quite a lot of rain recently as is evident from this video.

Popularity: 32% [?]