Palm Sunday in San Francisco & Car Racing Event @ San Rafael, CA

This morning we woke up early and attended the 7:30 AM PALM SUNDAY mass at our Sts Peter and Paul Church. Am proud to say that despite the fact that we came home last night (at almost 11 PM from our reunion in Danville, CA), we still made it today for the early morning mass.

While on foot along Union, it was quite windy and nippy. I was glad I was wearing my gear of black jacket, red shawl, Levi's jeans and brown beret. They at least helped me to be warm while walking with Little Boy Blue. And as I glided with him along the streets of San Francisco, it felt like the winter breeze was here once more. The fog makes it cool, of course~ plus the fact that my hair was still wet when we went out to walk. I didn't have much time to dry it so that was culprit!
At Sts. Peter and Paul, husband and I got each a palm. To our surprise, no one else did get except us. We felt a bit odd. There, we found out that Palm Sunday mass is celebrated differently. Traditionally, the palm is blessed during the mass. Before the mass ends that is when the priest blesses them with the holy water while the people raise their arms and wave them for grace. Then, we recalled that the priest mentioned that palms were already blessed . We were surprised! Well, here is another example of a “culture shock" for us. Day by day we learn a lot here. San Francisco is filled with surprises! The mass was an hour and a half long. It marked the advent of the Holy Week. It ended at 9 AM. After the mass, we decided to go back home although earlier, we had planned to drive at once to San Rafael (California) to be at the “Infenion Raceway.” However, we decided to make some slight changes because our stomach was growling. At home, I boiled some pasta and defroze the home-made marinara sauce I did last week and reheated it at the microwave. I also boiled a liter of hot water and made oolang and jasmine tea; packed some chocolate almond cookies for dessert and dumped the fork and linen into our food bag. At the finale of my packing, husband finally arrived (after taking our vehicle from the parking garage, three blocks away from our living quarters).

CAR RACING EVENT



At a little past nine in the morning, we headed to San Rafael (an hour's drive from San Francisco). There, we arrived at the racetrack at past 10 AM. Our friend Luis was racing in the amateur sports car competition and he and his family invited us to come. It was our first time to be in such an event. And we were glad we came. It was fantastic!


Luis’ family prepared the lunch and Luis, was the main chef; made a barbeque of lamb, beef and Portuguese sausage plus green salad served with sweet buns. While chatting and eating, we learned a lot about the art of car racing and the culture behind it. We left the racetrack at around 3 PM and we were home before 5 PM. Here are some photos. Enjoy!