Years ago, in the B.C., I gave Jason ticket to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts One and Two in San Francisco for Christmas. Just weeks before our scheduled trip, COVID blasted normalcy into oblivion, and there was nothing to see. After two years, and rescheduling multiple times, we were finally able to have that magical experience. Further, we were able to enjoy it with friends. Sometimes, even delays can lead to charming moments.

Because Harry Potter and the Cursed Child was “reimagined” from a two-part to a one-part production for U.S. audiences late in 2021, we found ourselves with two extra tickets to the performance. Inviting a couple friends, and fans, to join us seemed like the best use for these. They arrived later. Here’s what happened first.

Jason and I reached San Francisco in the evening and went straight to Mensho Tokyo for some ramen. Like all authentic ramen shops, this one had a line outside winding down the sidewalk. We had to wait for about half an hour for a table, but it was worth it. We both had the tori paitan ramen, a chicken-based broth, and the spicy enoki chips. Jason said the meal was a close second to the ramen he ate in Sapporo.

The next day was uncharacteristically sunny for San Francisco. With a couple jackets, it felt pleasant. We didn’t want to waste the warmth since temperatures were in the 20s back home. So, we took a walk down the Batteries to Bluffs Trail in Presidio after grabbing pastries at the B Patisserie, a scrumptious bakery. While a portion of this path was closed in order for crews to repair some recent storm damage, we were able to reach the remains of Battery Crosby, which operated from 1900 to 1943. It was equipped with two guns that could shoot up to eight miles to protect underwater mines. Since we couldn’t go farther on this trail, we hiked down the Sand Ladder to Baker Beach. From that scenic stretch of sand and stone, the views of the Golden Gate Bridge were impressive. The naked old man bum we also viewed was less impressive.

Afterward, we spent a couple hours at the Legion of Honor. The Legion of Honor houses works by Monet, Rembrandt, Rubens, Goya, Cezanne, and Renoir among many others. Its collection of Rodin sculptures is one of the largest in the United States with 90 pieces, including The Thinker. Even without the masterpieces inside considered, the building, a three-quarter-scale replica of Palais de la Legion d’Honneur in Paris, is a work itself with ornate neoclassical details typical of the Beaux-Arts style. The museum was too big for us to make it through entirely in the time we had available, but it wasn’t so large as to be completely overwhelming.

That evening, our friends arrived, and we finally saw Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Worth the wait? It was heartwarming and exhilarating, though time travel always creates a bit of a plot mess in my opinion. The special effect “magic” was remarkable and the play’s best part. At 3.5 hours, it felt a little long. However, if you are an enthusiast, I’m sure you would enjoy it. We did.

We started out early on a long walk to get breakfast at Brenda’s French Soul Food the next morning. The shrimp and grits were worth the human feces hopscotch we had to play on the way. Afterward, we headed to the San Francisco Cable Car Museum. There, we got to see the tension sheaves, gears, motors, idler sheaves, and gear reducers that power this unique antique transportation form. Consequently, we couldn’t resist grabbing a cable car back to our hotel after a stop in Chinatown to pick up some treats at the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory.

Later that afternoon, the Gregangelo Museum, said to be San Francisco’s #1 immersive art experience, captivated us for two hours as we deciphered the Riddle of the Sphinx. We went through the stages of life, seeing the world from the eyes of a child, adult, and senior in the Gardens of Youth, Sensuality, and Wisdom. Eventually, we faced our unavoidable deaths, which gave us a hankering for some kouign-amanns. Another stop at the B Patisserie laid that craving to rest.

Much of the Riddle of the Sphinx is based on introspection, asking yourself some of the difficult questions we rarely take time to contemplate. Amongst them was, “How do you want to be remembered?” In answering this, I was reminded of Dr. Who and how we are all just stories in the end. I hope my stories will inspire others to be bold, kind, curious, and adventurous. That they make others feel loved and confident in their ability to achieve monumental changes.

Dinner was not just a meal but also entertainment that night at Birdsong. Over 3+ hours, we were served a dozen tasting courses we watched a host of chefs and porters prepare. After about nine of those, I didn’t know how I could eat any more, but I managed. My favorite courses were the root broth with braised wakame and smoked mussels, the Dungeness crab with smoked pine nuts and yogurt, the chamomile sorbet, and the Mount Tam cheesecake topped with a slice of Shinko pear and buttermilk ice cream. We were able to obtain a reservation to this highly rated establishment much easier than expected because of viral doubts. At that point, seated diners were still down 40% from normal in San Francisco due to lingering hesitations regarding COVID. We didn’t hesitate to take advantage of others’ hesitations.

The fruition of a two-year-old plan was rewarding. Harry Potter, we meet at last! Also, Thinker, we meet at last… and Sphinx… and naked old man bum. Boy, this trip entailed a lot of unusual introductions! I must lead a charmed, postponed life.