Chapter 14. San Francisco
Early retirement, writing, reading and grandchildren; while the sea levels continue to rise
We went to stay for a few weeks with Alejandro, while we were looking for a house where we would live. We wanted to be close to San Francisco and Berkeley, but not too close to the center (partly because of the high cost of real estate, and partly because of the concern over potential terrorist attacks).
After exploring some towns in the San Francisco Bay Area, we decided on the town of Sausalito, about two miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Like other towns on the edge of the sea (or San Francisco Bay, in this case), it was fighting a battle against the rising sea level. Some restaurants and marinas next to the water had to be relocated, but the house we were thinking of buying was somewhat elevated, so we thought we would not be affected, at least in the coming decades.
The one who enjoyed our new home the most was our cocker spaniel Coco, as he loved to walk along the shore of the Bay. The climate of San Francisco, traditionally considered very rainy and grey, was becoming more pleasant, and it certainly beat the tropical and humid heat of Panama.
I fulfilled my dream of dedicating myself to writing, traveling, taking pictures, and having time to explore at ease my intellectual curiosities. Valeria, on the other hand, began to devote more time to painting, playing the piano, reading fiction, and volunteering at the Marine Mammal Center near Sausalito.
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