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ravendisplayedI had an amazingly great time on my trip to San Francisco. Much love and thanks to ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
traumentwerfer and laughingstone for their generous hospitality. It wouldn't have been half as much fun without you.
Mundane observations
I want two things before my next major trip: A much nicer travel camera and a good smartphone with GPS navigation. I'm frustrated by the limitations of my camera way too often, and driving while lost in an unfamiliar city is no fun.
I shouldn't assume that it will be easy to pick up on how to use the local public transportation system. Research it before leaving.
The PT Cruiser is a pretty bad car. The odd UI, lack of power, ridiculously bad turning radius and generally bad handling just destroy what should be a fun ride.
Driving in SF is a bizarre experience. The streets are very narrow and lane markings are poor to nonexistent. Stop signs are vague suggestions at best, as are other common rules like "not passing on double stripe" and "driving on the right side of the road". At the same time, people don't run yellows, generally use their turn signals and let people into their lane. It's an odd mix.
Cultural Observations
The Bay Area is much more up tempo than I am used to. I often had to work just to keep up with the pace of many people that I met. It feels like everyone has an agenda that they are trying to keep, all the time. Land of Mañana it is not.
There were exceptions of course, but on the whole people don't interact with service workers as human beings, and service workers don't know how to handle it when you try. I know that happens to some extent everywhere, but it was startling just how bad it was.
On the other hand, everyone I met through Tortuga was very welcoming and friendly. There were so many lovely people I wish I could have gotten to know better. I'm glad to have met you all!
It seems like everyone has a hot tub!
On a related note, casual nudity is pretty common and, well, casual.
Other Observations
Redwood forests feel amazing. The trees, the ferns, the sounds and smells are delightful. My words will never describe how wonderful it was to be in the presence of these giants. Thank you so muchlaughingstone for taking me to them.
I always thought that jogging along forest trails was a bit of a joke. The air is too thin up in the mountains, right? But, when the "mountains" are only at 400 feet, it starts to be fun.
I'm finally starting to internalize and become conscious of just how important periods of solitude are for me. Time alone to process and self observe refreshes me in ways I deeply need, but don't often recognize.
The different districts of SF proper have amazingly different personalities and cultures. It didn't feel like walking from one part of a city to another as much as it felt like walking from one country to another.
The bridge is beautiful in person, in a very different way than in pictures. It is very tactile, just wanting to be touched and felt. It vibrates under your fingertips like a living creature. Yes, it is loud, windy, cold and crowded, but it is also wonderful and beautiful. I could happily walk it every day. Also, it tastes like salt with a hint of iron.
The Haight/Ashbury is a bizarre blend of people and places that haven't moved past 1969, and those that are trying to create something new. I have some things to say about this, and the importance of subcultures, but not tonight as I am getting a bit sleepy.
I love the bay area. The various cities circling the bay are a lot of fun.
I'm deeply glad that San Francisco exists, but I wouldn't want to live there.
Pictures
You can see the set I cleaned up here.
Here are a few of my favorite:
laughingstone with a pair of birds that are very much in love.
I saw a bear in the woods!
Gothic Loitas!
One of my favorite pictures of the bridge.
PS
I don't have my camera with me or good enough lighting for the iSight, so a picture of my new haircut will have to wait a bit longer. Stay tuned!
traumentwerfer and laughingstone for their generous hospitality. It wouldn't have been half as much fun without you.Mundane observations
I want two things before my next major trip: A much nicer travel camera and a good smartphone with GPS navigation. I'm frustrated by the limitations of my camera way too often, and driving while lost in an unfamiliar city is no fun.
I shouldn't assume that it will be easy to pick up on how to use the local public transportation system. Research it before leaving.
The PT Cruiser is a pretty bad car. The odd UI, lack of power, ridiculously bad turning radius and generally bad handling just destroy what should be a fun ride.
Driving in SF is a bizarre experience. The streets are very narrow and lane markings are poor to nonexistent. Stop signs are vague suggestions at best, as are other common rules like "not passing on double stripe" and "driving on the right side of the road". At the same time, people don't run yellows, generally use their turn signals and let people into their lane. It's an odd mix.
Cultural Observations
The Bay Area is much more up tempo than I am used to. I often had to work just to keep up with the pace of many people that I met. It feels like everyone has an agenda that they are trying to keep, all the time. Land of Mañana it is not.
There were exceptions of course, but on the whole people don't interact with service workers as human beings, and service workers don't know how to handle it when you try. I know that happens to some extent everywhere, but it was startling just how bad it was.
On the other hand, everyone I met through Tortuga was very welcoming and friendly. There were so many lovely people I wish I could have gotten to know better. I'm glad to have met you all!
It seems like everyone has a hot tub!
On a related note, casual nudity is pretty common and, well, casual.
Other Observations
Redwood forests feel amazing. The trees, the ferns, the sounds and smells are delightful. My words will never describe how wonderful it was to be in the presence of these giants. Thank you so much
laughingstone for taking me to them.I always thought that jogging along forest trails was a bit of a joke. The air is too thin up in the mountains, right? But, when the "mountains" are only at 400 feet, it starts to be fun.
I'm finally starting to internalize and become conscious of just how important periods of solitude are for me. Time alone to process and self observe refreshes me in ways I deeply need, but don't often recognize.
The different districts of SF proper have amazingly different personalities and cultures. It didn't feel like walking from one part of a city to another as much as it felt like walking from one country to another.
The bridge is beautiful in person, in a very different way than in pictures. It is very tactile, just wanting to be touched and felt. It vibrates under your fingertips like a living creature. Yes, it is loud, windy, cold and crowded, but it is also wonderful and beautiful. I could happily walk it every day. Also, it tastes like salt with a hint of iron.
The Haight/Ashbury is a bizarre blend of people and places that haven't moved past 1969, and those that are trying to create something new. I have some things to say about this, and the importance of subcultures, but not tonight as I am getting a bit sleepy.
I love the bay area. The various cities circling the bay are a lot of fun.
I'm deeply glad that San Francisco exists, but I wouldn't want to live there.
Pictures
You can see the set I cleaned up here.
Here are a few of my favorite:
laughingstone with a pair of birds that are very much in love.I saw a bear in the woods!
Gothic Loitas!
One of my favorite pictures of the bridge.
PS
I don't have my camera with me or good enough lighting for the iSight, so a picture of my new haircut will have to wait a bit longer. Stay tuned!