Well, Gabi, you helped me learn something....

I googled and found that "420" is a term which originated in the San Francisco area for marijuana use. Here is a link that makes this clear:

http://www.snopes.com/language/stories/420.htm

So a 420-friendly household would be one where marijuana smoking is done and accepted, and a non-420 household would be one where it is not acceptable. (It is illegal, but widely used in San Francisco.) Obviously I don't use the stuff myself, or I probably would have heard of this before.

Ah, the answer regarding 420. I have never heard that term either. Interesting.

to JBC

I am ready with the translation about Pferdsfeld. Please let me know where you want me to mail it.

Thanks, Gabi! It sounds like you have put together something well exceeding anything I might have expected, and I appreciate it.

It isn't clear to me whether you are asking me for an address where you would send a written translation in an envelope, or an E-mail address where you would send it electronically. I'm happy to give you either one, but any address, whether physical or electronic, I put on here will probably draw some "junk" mail as a result.

It's worth it to me to get some "junk" mail for what you'll send, but if I put both of them on here, the one you don't use will be getting junk mail for nothing, so I only want to give the type of address you actually had in mind.

You are very welcome, JBC.

Because I dont want that you receive junkmails I posted "Informations about Pferdsfeld" under "Europe" here in Fodors. I hope you will find it.

Maybe you can copy it, correct my english and print it on an antique-looking paper.

How very thoughtful of you to post the information so I don't have to post my address here, Gabi! Thank you!

Yes, I found the very detailed Pferdsfeld information you translated for me and placed on the Europe board. It was easy for me to find without my even having to go to the Europe board, because, for your information, all you need to do is click on someone's screen name (where it's in color and underlined) and a list of all the topics they've posted on appears to the left. Then you can click on any of those and read it.

Once again, you did much more than I expected, and I thank you very much for it. If I can help you with any more information about the San Francisco area, where I lived for many years, or the Washington, D.C. area, where I live now, please ask here and I will respond.

Also, I'd be very interested, as many others would be I'm sure, if you would share here "trip reports" of your thoughts, experiences and observations during your time in the U.S. Of course, I'm especially interested about how your search for lodging in San Francisco is resolved, and how satisfactory your choice turns out to be for you.

Hi all,

just want to let you know that I found a room. I decided for Leavenworth/Washington street. I will stay there from Sept. 17 to Oct.17 !!

craigslist was a great idea.

Thanks a lot. I am sure I will post a lot in because of other questions about SF.

Hello Gabi,

Glad to hear that you have made what I think is a an intersting and exciting neighborhood. You'll find enormous variety there. Here's a link which descibes some of its attractions, stores, bars, and coffee houses.
http://www.sfgate.com/traveler/guide.../nobhill.shtml

At this same site, you'll want to also see the description for Russian Hill, the neighborhood just to the north of you.