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Photo Essay: The Things I Loved About My San Francisco Summer

by Ekua on August 28, 2012 · 8 comments in California,captured on memory card

This summer, I had a 2.5 month break and didn’t leave the country. I didn’t even leave the state. Ludicrous, I know. But without going beyond a 150 mile radius of San Francisco, I had an epic all-American summer and never felt like I was squandering my time by not leaving. So what makes an avid traveler happy to be grounded? These are the events, people, and activities that made my summer so special:

» Travel friends visiting and tourists in town

The next best thing to going abroad is having friends you’ve met on your travels visit you. First up was a friend visiting from Oaxaca. The local crew of people I met in Oaxaca and I had an action packed week and a half of sharing our favorite San Francisco experiences with him, hitting up Muir Woods, immersing ourselves in festivals, and plenty of dancing.

Later in the summer, a British friend that I met in Peru who lives in Dubai came into town. Three years after exploring Machu Picchu together, we had a lively reunion over Peruvian food and pisco sours in San Francisco.

Beyond the visitors I knew, I loved seeing San Francisco full of tourists. One night I was inducted into a clan of boisterous Irish folks who were here for the summer on temporary work visas. At a coffee shop, I chatted with a woman from Midwest who was on a solo coastal road trip from LA to SF. Another time, I pointed a group of German guys (with endearingly absurd fake tans and spiky bleached blonde hair) in the right direction to nightlife in the Mission. I love these little interactions with visitors because I feel like it gives me the opportunity to pay forward the hospitality I’ve received on my travels.

» Festivals and parades

For me, San Francisco’s Carnaval which is held annually on Memorial Day weekend signals the beginning of summer. This year I wasn’t Latin America bound so I was especially keen on soaking up all of the culture and as always, it was a hip-shaking good time.

There were massive crowds at SF Pride, so some took extreme measures to get a better view of the parade.

When I see the flamboyant displays of personality that Pride and the rest of festival season bring, I feel proud to live in such an “anything goes” environment where people feel free to be whoever they are.

Ladies, you can put as much effort as you want into being fabulous, but at Pride, a man will always upstage you.

Ozomatli got the crowd going at the Stern Grove Festival this year. It had been so foggy that morning that it was practically raining, but with their oh-so California blend of Latin music, reggae, rock, and hip hop, Ozomatli brought out the sun and good vibes in the afternoon.

» The Fourth of July

It’s been awhile since I celebrated a Fourth of July at home, so I was looking forward to it this year. I decked myself out in a ridiculously thematic red, white, and blue ensemble and headed over to my friends’ house for a backyard barbecue. We grilled meat as well as the fake stuff for the veggie crew and washed it all down with American craft brews.

Later we went to Dolores Park where we had an awesome view of fireworks all over the northeastern corner of the city. When the city-sanctioned fireworks show began, it was hilarious. You could only see the bottom half of them because the top half was obscured by fog. In the park plenty of people had their own fireworks and while not spectacular, they made everyone oo and ah all the same. There’s just something about being huddled on a blanket with your friends watching fireworks in the park that brings out the kid in you.

» A writing-centric internship and local exploration

If you had told me at age 21 when I walked across my university graduation stage with two internships under my belt that I’d be doing an internship in the last six months before I turned 30, I probably would’ve laughed. But life doesn’t always follow a linear path — some interests fade or morph while others that have always been there emerge at the forefront.

I took on an internship at the Northern California branch of Hostelling International as a way to gain more experience in writing regularly beyond my personal blog and to get used to having someone edit my work. I served on a panel (on female solo travel!) for the first time and acquired some handy skills in Photoshop and InDesign as well. I started in the spring, but things picked up when summer break began and I had more time. My largest task was writing articles and copy on local things to do, and sometimes I actually went out to do those things so I could incorporate firsthand experience. One of my favorites was an excursion to Coit Tower.

I’ve been to Coit Tower before, but this time I did a walking tour of the murals. The murals are stunning to look at even if you’re just browsing, but learning the history behind these Great Depression Era murals is fascinating. If you go here, I highly recommend taking a free tour.

After researching information on Gold Country attractions east of Sacramento, I ended up taking a trip out there to write an article. This American River scene was one of many lovely views at the Marshall Gold Discovery Site.

Later, I put on a hard hat and took an audio tour of the dark and damp Gold Bug Mine in Placerville. The whole Gold Country experience was a pleasant surprise — thoroughly entertaining as well as a relaxing break from the city. While I was there, I stayed in the Sacramento Hostel where I chatted with international guests who were in the midst of big USA trips and got a little taste of the travel life.

For my last piece, I explored a place I’ve gotten to know well, 24th Street in the Mission. Pictured here is Balmy Alley, a narrow street off of 24th Street that’s covered with murals. I’ve walked down 24th Street innumerable times, but the most familiar places can remain fresh when you look at them with traveler’s eyes.

» Getting lost at home

After visiting Coit Tower, I wandered aimlessly on Telegraph Hill and came across some quirky hidden places. In this garden, I almost forgot I was in San Francisco.

My friend and I went to check out some 3D chalk art at the Embarcadero one afternoon. The title aptly read, “Your community is your classroom.”

Afterward, we walked aimlessly around Downtown and the Financial District — places I rarely go — and came across some cool public spaces like the interactive fountain at Levi’s Plaza.

I’ve neglected Pacifica. I usually just drive through it on the way to somewhere else. But one day, a friend and I wanted to do a coastal hike close to San Francisco and we came across a spot there called Mori Point. So we checked it out, and just south of the city, we found a bit of the craggy California coast experience we were looking for.

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10 Things One San Franciscan Likes About Los Angeles

by Ekua on November 28, 2011 · 11 comments in California,listastic,why i travel

In the vast and varied country of the United States, fellow residents tend to misunderstand each other as much as they have a tendency to misunderstand the world beyond. It’s disconcerting to see how many people form concrete opinions of other places based on very little knowledge of and experience in those places.

I discovered my own habit of doing this during my travels to the South. I’ve had enlightening experiences there where found that I liked that part of the country more than I imagined I would. I realized that my negative opinions on it were based on stereotypes, politics, and history rather than personal experiences with the current people and places.

Recently, I’ve also eased up on Los Angeles. In California, there is a little tiff between SoCal and NorCal, and more specifically between Los Angeles and San Francisco. It’s a microcosm of larger issues in the country and in the world and while it’s not detrimental, it can be petty and counterproductive.

While there are still stereotypical and true characteristics of Los Angeles that I don’t like, I’ve found many other things to appreciate about it. I’ve accepted the city for what it is and opened myself up to discovering its more awesome aspects, and that has been a good thing.

Here’s a collection of things that have made me happy on my recent visits to Los Angeles:

» Warm Weather

I love San Francisco, but its weather is not the jam. It has its hotter times, but it tends to hover around highs of 60 degrees Fahrenheit year round, give or take about 10 degrees. I actually prefer to be in warmer climates and I’m not a fan of bundling up. LA is more capable of making these partialities feasible. When I go there, I can pack light and give myself a break from restrictive outerwear.

» The Diverse Array of Cultures

Los Angeles goes far beyond the typical subsections of American cities. There is Koreatown, Thai Town, Little Ethiopia, a sizable population of Hasidic Jews, and areas that make me feel like I’m in Mexico. As a fan of traveling, I really appreciate this cultural mix up all in one location.

» Food

The awesome weather combined with people from all over the world make for an excellent food culture in Los Angeles. There are year round farmers markets everywhere and an abundance of international restaurants and food trucks. There is often an emphasis on food that’s produced locally with respect for the environment and the people who will consume it.

» The Laid Back Atmosphere

Something I noticed on a trip to LA last year is that people there give off an air of being on vacation in their own town. I really enjoy the very city-like energy and feel of San Francisco, but I appreciate the more relaxed nature of LA as well. It’s a nice break from my typical surroundings.

» Hiking to the Hollywood Sign at Sunset

This was the highlight of my most recent trip to Los Angeles. The day after Thanksgiving, we got off to a late start on this hike, but it turned out to be great timing. The lighting was gorgeous on the way up, and when we reached the top, we had a 360 degree view of the Los Angeles and beyond, all aglow in sunset light.

» LACMA

Last summer, I had an afternoon to myself where I happened to be within walking distance of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and it happened to be a free entrance day. I decided to take advantage of that. LACMA is impressive before you even walk in; there is a wonderful light sculpture at the entrance. Once you’re inside, there is an amazing collection of art from around the world. The exhibits are presented in a way that really enhances the art and gives you a sense of the periods and places they come from. The curation at LACMA is artistic excellence in itself.

» Day Trips to Santa Monica

Santa Monica is such an interesting place. With the beach, the boardwalk, the Third Street Promenade, and surf city atmosphere, it’s the California of a lot of people’s dreams. But there is also a very apparent desperate and gritty side to it. These aspects combined make for a truthful dose of Americana.

» Secondhand Shopping

When I’ve gone secondhand shopping in LA, I’ve found some good stuff, I think partly because styles change so quickly and people often get rid of barely worn items. If you’re not caught up in following trends closely, there is good stuff to be found. Beyond the shops, last summer I came across the Melrose Trading Post, a hipstery weekly flea market that has all kinds of little treasures that reflect many different periods of LA. I saw wacky furniture, vintage travel and movie posters, tons of antique knickknacks, and some great jewelry.

» Strange and Passionate People

Venice Beach has its fair share of the LA counterculture, but there are a lot of unique individuals throughout the city. It’s a city that attracts people from all over the country, a lot of them with personalities that were probably too large for Small Town, USA. While there are a lot of people in Los Angeles chasing vacuous and vague dreams of stardom, there are plenty more who may still be enticed by stardom, but have a true love and passion for their art. Los Angeles and San Francisco seem to be equally full of people who are endearingly odd and steadfast about expressing themselves.

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Photo Essay: A Creative Side of Las Vegas

by Ekua on June 5, 2010 · 2 comments in captured on memory card,Nevada

The afternoon that I escaped from the pool club party, I had a chance to see that Vegas is not completely about illusion and generic over-consumption. In its extravagance, Vegas provides room and opportunity for colorful bursts of expression and creativity.

» At the Bellagio

While walking down The Strip, I came across Bellagio’s “lake” and hung around to see if I could catch the water show. It was pretty damn hot so after waiting for awhile, I decided it was best to go inside for a heat and bathroom break. On the ceiling, I noticed these lovely miniature hot air balloons. They were obviously inspired by hot air balloon festivals, one of which is held annually in Las Vegas.

My timing was perfect. As soon as I walked out of the building, a water show began. I tried to ignore the fact that it was choreographed to the most cheesy song possible, and hoped that the water used for it was recycled because the show was stunning. Way more than I imagined it would be. I know the word “breathtaking” is supposed to be a travel writing no-no, but in this case, I think it is appropriate.

» The Art of Richard MacDonald

Back at the CityCenter where our hotel was located, I came across a couple of art galleries. The first one I stopped at was full of sculptures by Richard MacDonald that were all based on Cirque du Soleil performers. I have to admit that I have never been interested in seeing Cirque du Soleil, but after taking a look at MacDonald’s emphatic and ornate sculptures, I feel inspired to go. As an added bonus, MacDonald was there that day, chatting it up with gallery visitors.

» Chihuly Glass Sculptures

When I visited Italy nine years ago, it was the first time I saw how much could be done with glass. I have been a glass art fan ever since. I was sad when I missed a Chihuly exhibition at San Francisco’s De Young museum a while back, so I was delighted when the second gallery I came across was full of his vivid glass sculptures.