2020 // SF on Film
San Francisco
California, October 2020
In the last few years, I’ve been fortunate to be able to travel to San Francisco multiple times a year. Given the circumstances of this year, that wasn’t the case. It felt good to be back and experience a sliver of autumn in the city. It was like watching a movie you’ve seen a thousand times, familiar and comfortable. I sauntered over to my usual haunts - out of routine and reliability, which is a whole different story in North Beach, the unofficial Italian neighborhood of SF. The weathered streets have merely adapted to modern conveniences, yet remain largely rooted in tradition.
I love my SF routine. Aside from Gina’s strange alarm clock, the day typically begins with either a jaunt through the adjacent streets of Chinatown or a run down Columbus to the Wharf. After getting out and about, I pay a trip to one of the many local coffee shops around the corner to grab some breakfast, then it’s time to start the workday. It’s slow and calculated. The routine allows for a pause and time to observe the daily activities of the people and places who breathe life into the city: the Catholic church with the address of 666 - still undetermined if its location is by choice or coincidence; admiration of the colorful architecture that is directly correlated to character; Cole Hardware for ANY item you may need; rooftop views of the skyline and Coit Tower looming over; the park where the old Chinese men, who prioritize seeing each other, congregate on the benches, six feet apart, sitting on cardboard, chitchatting (I thought it was odd that they were sitting on cardboard then as we went to sit on a bench, we found it wet…those old men knew what they were doing). Maybe I have this overly romanticized outlook of my days in SF, but I’ll always choose to keep the rose-tinted glasses on for just a little bit more.
And I’m lucky to be able to get to know the city and have family and friends who revel in its beauty. Gina & Peter attempted to take me to Baker Beach, a new nook for me, and it ended up being a blustery and hectic evening. This iconic spot was supposed to have sweeping views of the Golden Gate Bridge, yet it was obstructed by thick fog. I laughed at the irony and just sat on the clean side of the pizza box as Gina tried to describe what I should be seeing. The next day made up for the previous day’s lack of views when Gina asked “you want a slab of focaccia?”. What are you supposed to reply to that other than sure? We rightfully baptized our focaccia from Liguria Bakery because it truly was a religious experience. My favorite moment, however, of my short stay, was taking a portrait of Edwin (I think that was his name), the mailman. He was the kindest soul who I reluctantly asked if he would allow me to snap a photo of him. Edwin happily complied with my posing and was overall a lovely model. We walked a few blocks together and chatted about ourselves. As fate would have it, he’s Gina’s mailman and the Madewell package in the photo is actually hers.
Often, I question anything I’m doing, because most of the time, it’s actually ridiculous. I sat on the fire escape doing work, staring at an unobstructed view of the Transamerica building, and asked myself “what is this life?”. I don’t know, but I’m happy to embrace the novelty of San Francisco and indulge in these small quirks.
