I found it!

The last time I was at the airport I was looking in the bookstore at a travel book that I thought was really cool. Of course I couldn't remember the name of the book or what it looked like really, but today I went into Chapters and I miraculously found it! It's called "The Lonley Planet Guide to Experimental Travel". Here's the description on the inside

This book contains a series of travel games or 'invitations'. In each experiment you will be provided with a hypothesis to explore, suggested apparatus or equipment you may need, and a method you can follow.

Here's an example

Hypothesis: Discover an unknown part of the city by travelling to the grid reference K2 on a map.

Apparatus: A grid-referenced map or atlas, transportation and a sense of adventure.

Method: 1) Open a map or atlas at random. 2)Find the grid reference K2 on the page infront of you. 3) Journery to that location and undertake a methodical exploration of the cultural, gastronomic and aestheic delights that you find there.

Then the following pages describe some of the results people came up with. It looks like a fun read.

You can also check out the website at www.lonelyplanet.com/experimentaltravel

Other books I found today and purchased because they just seemed meant to be:

Frommer's San Francisco day by day--23 smart ways to see the city
This one was 20% off!

4th of July by James Paterson
It's a crime thriller that takes place in San Fran!

I got my passport this week. It came with an interesting booklet called "Her Own Way, Advice for the Woman Traveller" I don't think they consider Miss Cross Border Shopper as the prime reader of this book. Here are some of my favourite tips

Air Travel
*If you use contraceptive pills, be sure to take them every 24 hours. Don't be mislead by crossing time zones.

Networking Along the Way
*As soon as you begin your journey, start plugging into the female network. Finding a good source may lead you to many others. Local women are usually as pleased to meet you as you are to meet them.--Vince, find me some local women to talk to.

*In larger cities, make a quick check of local directories under the headings "female," "woman" or "travel." This can produce wonders. You'll probably find listings for craft collectives, women's bookstores, women's entrepreneurial councils and women's organizations.--Oooh, craft collectives!

*Check with the Canadian embassy or consulate for any listings of women's expatriate clubs and organizations. Members of these groups can sometimes be an excellent source of information. They might even invite you to one of their cultural events.--I looked, there is a Canadian Embassy in San Fran! Maybe I can check them out on Canada Day!

Be aware that you'll probably be openly stared at. In countries where you look very different from everybody else, both men and women will make no attempt to hide their curiosity.--I wish I could just hide my Canadianisms! Clearly a blonde haired blue eyed girl just won't blend in with the population of California.

My favourite is the section on "Coping with Foreign Bathrooms"

*Always carry a supply of toilet paper with you. In some parts of the world, it's either very scarce or too coarse to be usable.--Vince I am crossing my fingers for two ply.

*The smell in toilets is sometimes overpowering. Try dabbing some mentholated ointment or lip balm under your nose to help mask the odours while you use the facilities.--Well this one applies to any outhouse one visits after a guy has made use of it.