Simon's Fulbright USA 2016: SF City Touring

We had about two days in SF. We went into the city one day and down to the Bay area. We took a bus. The number 31. Oh what an education. We passed through some seedier districts in and out and picked up some real characters along the way. People on the fringe of the community, of hygiene, on the fringe of good health both mental and physical - and some were past the good part already - and some on the fringe of the law. There was swearing and shouting and yet together we all accepted the journey for what it was. There were people of all ages and types: indian, black, latino, chinese, korean, kiwis and white folk from all over. We got the same bus home and the driver this time explained to us that it was likely to get 'a bit colourful'. It was his daily run - the number 31. We met him in the park near the Bay terminal. He was photographing a hawk eating a pigeon it had just killed right next to the bus stop.

He knew many of the people really well and gave a running commentary across the bus intercom. 'You're riding on the Muni folks 'It's better than riding in one of those cars'. 'Your not allowed on the bus - you're smoking' 'The Muni won't let people smoke on the bus - its against the law' 'We'll wait for you, if you hurry up'. The driver helped the old and infirmed on and off the bus with zimmer frames ('Can you people move your seat'. 'He can't walk down the bus'), their washing, and their shopping! What a treat to see this part of American life. It turns out that SF has some 6700 recognised homeless people. Check out this story in the New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/17/opinion/sunday/the-tent-cities-of-san-francisco.html?_r=0. I found it after the visit, but it helped explain a lot of what we had seen on the train on the way in and on Bus 31..

We checked out the piers and walked along the sea walk corridor (The Embarcado) to Pier 39. Tourists everywhere. I caught the tram - the others walked. We were approached by beggars in wheelchairs asking for money 'Money for a Vietnam Vet' 'Any money for a Vet'. At P39 you can see Alcatraz and its is not far offshore - maybe 1.5km or so. You can buy real Hotdogs and book trips across the bay to explore the GG Bridge and nearby small communities in the city like Sausalito. Coit Tower stands on a nearby hill and is the notable landmark. I wanted to go on a boat, but the girls were not keen. The Pier has buskers. But some are not very good and clearly can't play, but still try to. Sad to see older men reduced to this. The seals at P39 fight with each other and wow the gathered crowd.

The next day it rained - heavily. We decided to go walking. The Golden Gate park is a bout 2 blocks from our AirB&B so we walked. First to the Arboretum - we saw a lovely small hummingbird in the rhododenrons outside and then a butterfly repository and wonderful arrays of native plants. And it kept raining and we went outside and got wet. SF has many New Zealand native trees along the roads and in the park. Pittosporums, Flax, Pohutukawa, Dodonea etc. It wasn't home, but we must be getting closer! We made it to the De Jong Art Museum. And it rained some more. We had an early dinner at the cafeteria and then headed for home. And it rained some more and we got wet through some more - but we were happy.