Cultures

I knew I was in trouble when the names of businesses on buildings I passed were only in Chinese writing. Having finally found my way I can now relax and enjoy the different cultures. Such a diverse area. So much so that a Caucasian person is hard to find. Erin lives in a pocket neighborhood of beautiful old Mediterranean style homes. Very high end and well taken care of but not three blocks away are homes with bars on the windows. Broken and beaten looking structures, trashed and abused. People cover the streets from all walks of life. Mostly just hard working and many unemployed and loitering. The noises from the streets are constant. Sirens seem common and continuous. Noises fill every nerve from unceasing cars, trucks and planes. An unrelenting hum of humanity. Angry voices yelling obscenities, casual conversations from late night partiers. Church bells tolling the hour, soothing and reminding us to hold hope and love in our hearts for each other.

SFMOMA ( San Francisco Museum of Modern Art) is closed on Wednesday's. Just my luck so we shopped. The economy could not be hurting much here because the prices of things have not been affected. $58 for a skimpy little t-shirt, yikes. Mall food has taken on new meaning for me. It used to be greasy, mass produced unhealthy foods. Here is is fresh and tasty. We had crepes that were delicious. Bloomingdales and Nordtroms were all high end designer duds in size 6 and 8. Not how I remember it or maybe I am just bigger and not as much a spender as I once was.

We went out in the neighborhood last night for dinner. We had El Salvadoran food in a small hole in the wall cafe style place. We had popusas a corn style pancake filled with cheese and zucchini. (yum) and platinos a fried banana dish with black beans and sour cream - very unusual and delicious. Today, Berkley and more shopping and more good food, and a long walk around the lake to walk off all this great food.