It’s a city filled with a wild mix of sites, cuisines, architecture, random good stuff and people…all shapes and sizes and types and colors. The way everything mixes and the way everyone coexists is really interesting and …nice. I spotted a very succinct poster of cartoon representations of the many of the types of people be found in SF all lined in a row…the title was San Franfamily. Beautiful.
The approach to San Francisco in any vehicle is dramatic and memorable. The hills of the city that rise out of the bay are dotted with great architecture– old and new, and they’re sort of bookended by two incredible bridges. All of this is best seen from the glass walkway on the 40th floor of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel downtown (if you’re not staying there, just act like you belong and take the elevator…that’s what I did).
My short trip included lots of walking, some great meals, a little shopping, one new favorites spot, and 30 minutes of great pleasure and pain.
The renovated Ferry Terminal at the Embarcadero is a great place to spend time. The restoration of the terminal brought together a collection of artisan bread, caviar, chocolate, sausage and wine makers. A unique bookstore, a seafood market, and an excellent French restaurant set around an open kitchen round out the collection. You can shop for things you never knew existed…and, the prices aren’t bad.
The farmers market happens weekly in front of the Embarcadero building, so you can sample a whole lot of the best of San Francisco all in one stop.
In the Chinatown district, you can get some fairly total immersion into Chinese culture. I found many Chinese people in the shops who do not speak English. It is definitely a neighborhood that has maintained it’s cultural integrity. After two days of heavy walking around the city, the sign for Chinese Foot Massage spoke to me. Don’t let the first relaxing minutes of soaking your feet in hot tea fool you. The poking, grinding, pulling and beating that follow send you on a journey that you won’t soon forget. It was wildly painful in the moment, but I have to admit that my tired dogs felt great when it was over…maybe my feet were simply relieved that the experience was behind them. Nonetheless, it was good.
San Francisco is a survivor. Fires, earthquakes, riots, protests, economic downturns have all hit San Francisco hard at one time or another. The city has been spared very little pain in its lifetime…felt by everyone. There is something interesting about the resilience of San Francisco…it’s sort of like Rome–it makes the most of its past. Things aren’t frequently torn down in order to rebuild…they build on what they have. And what they have is a lot. Diversity?…Good Lord–it’s everywhere. Go see San Francisco for yourself, eat a lot, and don’t let any Chinese people touch your feet.
Also, take some photos, and use them to make some people feel special. You know what to do…at www.HazelMail.com.
Postcard from San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO,
It’s a city filled with a wild mix of sites, cuisines, architecture, random good stuff and people…all shapes and sizes and types and colors. The way everything mixes and the way everyone coexists is really interesting and …nice. I spotted a very succinct poster of cartoon representations of the many of the types of people be found in SF all lined in a row…the title was San Franfamily. Beautiful.
The approach to San Francisco in any vehicle is dramatic and memorable. The hills of the city that rise out of the bay are dotted with great architecture– old and new, and they’re sort of bookended by two incredible bridges. All of this is best seen from the glass walkway on the 40th floor of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel downtown (if you’re not staying there, just act like you belong and take the elevator…that’s what I did).
My short trip included lots of walking, some great meals, a little shopping, one new favorites spot, and 30 minutes of great pleasure and pain.
The renovated Ferry Terminal at the Embarcadero is a great place to spend time. The restoration of the terminal brought together a collection of artisan bread, caviar, chocolate, sausage and wine makers. A unique bookstore, a seafood market, and an excellent French restaurant set around an open kitchen round out the collection. You can shop for things you never knew existed…and, the prices aren’t bad.
The farmers market happens weekly in front of the Embarcadero building, so you can sample a whole lot of the best of San Francisco all in one stop.
In the Chinatown district, you can get some fairly total immersion into Chinese culture. I found many Chinese people in the shops who do not speak English. It is definitely a neighborhood that has maintained it’s cultural integrity. After two days of heavy walking around the city, the sign for Chinese Foot Massage spoke to me. Don’t let the first relaxing minutes of soaking your feet in hot tea fool you. The poking, grinding, pulling and beating that follow send you on a journey that you won’t soon forget. It was wildly painful in the moment, but I have to admit that my tired dogs felt great when it was over…maybe my feet were simply relieved that the experience was behind them. Nonetheless, it was good.
San Francisco is a survivor. Fires, earthquakes, riots, protests, economic downturns have all hit San Francisco hard at one time or another. The city has been spared very little pain in its lifetime…felt by everyone. There is something interesting about the resilience of San Francisco…it’s sort of like Rome–it makes the most of its past. Things aren’t frequently torn down in order to rebuild…they build on what they have. And what they have is a lot. Diversity?…Good Lord–it’s everywhere. Go see San Francisco for yourself, eat a lot, and don’t let any Chinese people touch your feet.
Also, take some photos, and use them to make some people feel special. You know what to do…at www.HazelMail.com.