Feeling at Home in San Francisco

Posted by Stuart at 01:31 PM on December 14, 2003

I don't know what it is exactly, but there is something special about San Francisco. There is something about it that makes it feel like home to me. I felt it on my very first visit in 1997, and I feel it on my return this Christmas season.

What about the city makes me feel so comfortable and at home? Is it the fact that I have so many friends here? That is certainly part of it. Is it the beauty of the bay and the rows of victorian and modern houses built on winding hillside streets? No doubt it plays a part.

Or is it just the diversity that appeals to me so much? Last night, Kenley and I ate dinner at a small Mexican steak restaurant near his new condo in the Mission. I sat there amazed as I realized the the crowd was a microcosm of the City. There was a table of 8 gay guys who were black, caucasian, and asian. Two other tables had straight couples -- one All-American caucasian couple from the Marina and one made up of an Indian guy and a caucasian woman. At the bar, 4 Mexican guys sat with their baseball caps on backwards and drinking MGD.

We were lucky enough to sit at the window, and the street scene outside was as typically San Franciscan as the inside. People of all races walked by, many of them walking their dogs. Across the street was an old church, painted some funky orange-redish color with aqua trim and was sitting next to a few old victorians.

But what I am describing is just surface. There must be a deeper attraction. I don't know what it is, but perhaps Rupert spoke correctly and I really am home now.

Thai Missionary

Posted by Stuart at 12:06 PM on December 15, 2003

I think my first impression of San Francisco is that it seems very clean to me. Of course the moment I say this, I realize the irony of the statement since for all of the years I lived here, I complained about how dirty it was. But again, everything is relative. Compared to Bangkok, the air of San Francisco is very clean (which interestingly enough makes the sun much brighter); the houses are brightly painted; the streets and sidewalks are clear of trash and people and food carts and dogs. San Francisco seems very quiet to me. Where is everyone? On the roads, I marvel at how well the traffic flows; how everyone stays in their own lane and stops at every red light.

I did have a good time last night. After dinner with Kenley I went to the swim team party. I felt like the Thai Tourism Association should be paying me a commission, since I was trying to talk everyone into visiting Thailand. I felt like a missionary spreading the good news to the unknowing heathens.

In any case, yesterday wasn’t very productive since I was so tired from the jet lag and from staying out too late the night before. But today I was determined to tackle my storage. When it was time to leave, I had gone through 7 boxes and had thrown out two bags of trash. I feel a little discouraged though, as if my progress has stalled. So much left to do!

On the social side of things, I had a pretty good day. I had lunch with Richard near his home in Alameda and tonight I stopped by the pool to see my friends from the swim team. Manop and I had Vietnamese for dinner. I am still a little afraid to try Thai food in San Francisco. I think I will be very disappointed.

Still Safe

Posted by Stuart at 08:14 AM on December 24, 2003

By the way, I just wanted to say that I am having a very productive, frustrating, tiring, cold, wet, fun trip so far. I just haven't spent much time in Internet Cafes, so I haven't updated my site much. I've been keeping track on my laptop, though, so I will upload my journal when I get back next week.

In any case, I am safe in Washington DC with my family. Today, we'll visit museums and go see Return of the King tonight.

Merry Christmas everyone!