the house
march 12, 2003
people most assuredly thought i was odd to not be going anywhere or doing anything in particular during my visit to san francisco. but i really wasn't up there to do anything out of the ordinary nor achieve any personal goals in visiting all of sf's landmarks either. no..no coit tower, pier 39, fisherman's wharf, the cannery, ghiradelli square, san francisco centre, downtown, chinatown, metreon, berkeley, or anything like that. no, i really was just there to hang out and relax.
i have this disposition i think because during my childhood, i visited san francisco every single year in the middle of those hot days of summer. whether it was for a week, a month or more - san francisco became my surrogate home and as a child i must have wandered the streets of downtown, chinatown and north beach more than i can count. days along the wharf visiting the cannery and ghiradelli square became staple stops and palace of fine arts held many happy memories. it is because of the memories as a child that i *think* i know san francisco but i really don't. at least not in the way an adult knows san francisco. perhaps the recollections of san francisco are only those that are seen through the eyes of a child and that's how i'll forever view the bay area. with its fond memories - i'll forever reminiscent bittersweetly about this city by the bay.
san francisco, as every other city that i love, brings forth a feeling of excitement and mystery. maybe it's the historical context of it that i love or maybe just because the happiest days of childhood were spawned there as i fondly visited my sister every summer. it's the city that i really love. the pulse of life. the distinct feel of authenticity and originality. it's the place where no one really looks at you for being you.
i could write more about the past, about my childhood, about my life. but then these are things so intangible, i wouldn't even know where to start describing. or if they are even worth describing at all.
i wish i knew more about san francisco as an adult. i guess i'll have to start making more adult memories from hereon.
:::
i had dinner with wahine at the house prior to my departing flight back to LA. we've shared enough meals together to know each other's likes and dislikes. here's our menu for the night (also in order of the photos):
tuna tartare with deep fried nori chips
steamed chicken and shitake dumplings with spicy sesame soy
grilled chilean sea bass with garlic ginger soy
deep fried lobster tempura salad
coconut creme brulee
chocolate truffle cake
all in all, i have to say that the meal was quite delicious. it was in fact better than the experience at roy's i had for my birthday. i would definitely go back again given the opportunity but then again, sf has a zillion other places to eat at.
thank you to wahine for being a great host and for extending her lovely hospitality towards me during my stay. *hugs* :)
*meow*
