Close to nature in the city

I told my friends from church to go ahead and that I will catch up with them later. I stopped under the bamboo trees pretending to admire the carvings on their trunks. But in reality, I just wanted to rest where it is cooler. It was a weekend that was warmer than usual, one of the few days in the year of fog-free sunshine. I also wanted to linger in the area to enjoy the serene environment. I couldn’t help but think it is amazing how you can be very close to nature and yet still be in the city.

The view from the botanical’s entrance brought back a lot of good memories. I used to come here with a special someone. This used to be his favorite spot to walk his dog, it is a good stroll from his apartment on the other side of the Golden Gate park. This spot is also close to the shops and cafes on Irving St and we would stop here for a quick bite after biking around the park. I remember it was the scene of a boisterous public display of affection. Our lips would lock whenever tourist buses would pass by. I was so young back then. I wonder how many out of towners have taken our pictures? I wonder where he is now?

I can’t believe it has been over ten years since the last time I was here, on this same spot. A lot of things have changed, including me and the things that surround me. ~rl

(The photo above was taken under the bamboo trees at the San Francisco Botanical Garden at the Strybing Arboretum).

Artsy Birds in the City

He chanced upon it while walking with out-of-town friends in the Italian neighborhood of the city. He's read about it before although he never really saw it in person. He didn't know what to make out of it. Do they resemble birds? But they look like books. They say the name of this art installation references ancient languages used to communicate with the divine. He was reminded of the men and women in the Old Testament who spoke and heard God. Click. Click. He took a couple of photos and headed to the restaurant famous for its garlic. He looked back to see for the last time. He couldn't get Moises, Noah and the others out of his mind, and how he truly envies them. ~rl
(This photo was taken in San Francisco's North Beach district. The Language of the Birds is a permanent art installation by Brian Goggin, with Dorka Keehn and can be seen on the corner of Broadway and Columbus Streets in San Francisco)

A Sunny Day in the City

Is this a park that turned into a beach or the other way around? I couldn't tell by the sea of locals. Some wearing swimsuits, the others tee shirts and shorts, a few wearing almost nothing. People are out appreciating the sun as if San Francisco had just gotten over a severe winter. I wonder if they are all from around here? I heard there is a long line at the cafe on the corner of 18th St and Dolores. Inertia trumps my craving for a hot pastrami sandwich. ~rl

(This photo was taken around Dolores Park in San Francisco's Mission District.)

A birthday gift in the City

He felt guilty that his honey paid for this dinner. He remembered they were at Le Petit Laurent and Zuni last weekend. They were celebrating his birthday so technically those don't count. He never felt comfortable when someone pays for him. This is even when that someone is his better half. He took a mental note that next time he must ask for the bill. That next time he ought to buy. And then he realized that he should loosen up, just enjoy the moment and accept that it is okay for a loved one, or friends, to take care of him. But he wouldn't admit this, other than to himself... (rl)
(The photo above is picture of 'I buy, You buy' dice and dice case. It is one of the gifts I recently got for my birthday.)

Sweet inspiration in the City

My hands were clasped around the warm cast-iron tea pot to keep them toasty. Earlier, I had to politely ask the barrista for an extra tea cup because he mistakenly assumed I was alone. I've been waiting for mijo, for what seemed like forever, inside the Sweet Inspiration cafe.

I was seating by the window close to the door so he could see me right away when he arrives. It is not at all this easy to get a table by the window. Not in this neighborhood, not in this cafe, not on a friday afternoon. One of the effects of recession, I thought.

I could see all the people passing by outside were all bundled-up. I remembered it haled earlier and it is snowing on higher elevations today. Suddenly, someone stood infront of the cafe, blocking my view of the outside. I noticed the cards on his hands and then he started scribbling something. He flashed them against the glass window and I obliged to read them.

Did you eat my lunch?

Was it tasty?

Rat race, choices, number.

I am tired of my job.

Effects of recession, I thought. Desperate for a Valentine's date, perhaps?

~ral

(Above is a photo of a French bistro on Diamond St. in San Francisco, CA)

Art exhibition in the City

Karen disappeared behind a group of people on a guided tour at the Yves Saint Laurent exhibition at the De Young Museum. Dinah and I were perusing the Asian-inspired gowns when I heard a museum guide explaining something in detail at the same time herding the group closer towards us. Under normal circumstances, I would have joined in sneakily but, I decided not.

Dinah had asked earlier where Karen is. I answered she has probably skipped to another section to avoid this crowd. Moments later, we found her staring at a gown that is supposed to be Saint Laurent's tribute to Vincent Van Gogh - gowns with tops embroidered with metals, beads, sequins, and semiprecious stones that formed sort of like Van Gogh's sunflower paintings. A classic example of wearable art, I thought!

After two hours of drowning ourselves in haute-couture, we decided to break for lunch before we embark to yet another exhibition.

I couldn't help but wonder about Saint Laurent's inspiration for each piece. How about his design process? How many iterations did he work on before arriving at the final one? He was able to make use of organza flowers, satins, velvet, sequins, beads, semiprecious stones, and engraved copper into his pieces! Was he the first one to introduce tuxedo for women?

The ones that caught my attention are: (unfortunately, taking pictures is not allowed inside the exhibition hall, so no pictures) the Belle De Jour dress made for Catherine Deneuve, the knitted white wool wedding dress wrapped with white ribbons that resembles a cocoon, and the coat made from rooster, pheasant and vulture feathers. He was truly one of the most creative designers of the world!

~ral

(The picture above was taken at the De Young Museum in San Francisco during the Maya Lin exhibition which coincided with the YSL exhibition).

Sleepless in the city

I woke up way too early.

It was 3:52a when I glanced at the alarm clock. The heater was on so it must have been freezing cold inside. We've set it to automatic so that it will only go off when the thermostat registers 36F (approx 2 Celsius) and only at dawn so it would be warm and toasty when we get up.

I decided to pray all over again hoping that it will lull me to sleep. Surprisingly, I was wide awake as if I just had a couple of shots of espresso. This is not a battle that is easy to win, I thought, so I gave up and decided to make this time worthwhile. As I get older, getting over a jet lag seems even harder.

The wood floor was freezing as I walked into the living room. I leafed through last week's magazines to catch up on what's happening in the city and the country. I could sense a mixed feeling of optimism, because of the new administration, and caution because of the shaky economy.

The house was so quiet. It was so quiet I could hear a minute ringing sound, almost deafening. This is so different from where I was two weeks earlier. No more roosters crowing, no more dogs yapping, no more children laughing.

Finally, a faint dark-blue hue started to appear on the horizon. It is almost 7oclock on a saturday morning. I decided to make what would be our first home cooked meal of the year.

~ral

(The photo above was taken around the Embarcadero area of San Francisco.)