Take A Look At Me Now. Miranda Dickinson

the time Lizzie and I climbed inside the wooden cable car, my face was aching from smiling so much. There was a great deal about Fisherman’s Wharf that proved the neighbourhood didn’t take itself too seriously and didn’t expect its visitors to either. Riding the cable car was the perfect way to end the day’s sightseeing and was exciting beyond words. Lizzie and I sat on bench seats, holding on and giggling as the burgundy and gold cable car clunked and bumped in wooden splendour, warm wind blowing through its open windows as it sped up and down the steep streets.

      When we finally swapped the cable car for a slightly more sedate Muni trolleybus, Lizzie grinned at me.

      ‘Good day?’

      ‘Great day. Thank you.’

      ‘Oh it’s my pleasure. I feel like I’m rediscovering the city. So, where to tomorrow?’

      I pulled my guidebook from my bag and consulted its folded-edge pages. How on earth could I choose when everywhere I’d read about sounded so amazing? ‘I don’t know. Where would you recommend?’

      Lizzie shook her head. ‘Nope, this is your trip. I know – close your eyes.’

      ‘Do what?’

      ‘Don’t argue, Nellie, just do it.’

      I did as I was told. ‘OK. Now what?’

      ‘Open the guidebook anywhere.’

      ‘That’s daft …’

      ‘No it’s not! Come on, Nell, live dangerously! You’re meant to be having an adventure, remember?’

      Laughing, I flicked through the guidebook pages and stopped at one.

      ‘Brilliant!’ Lizzie said. ‘So – where are we going tomorrow?’

      I opened my eyes and looked at the page, a large grin spreading across my already aching face when I saw the location. It was perfect and already I couldn’t wait to see it.

      ‘Here.’