I'm back again to this one of my favourite cities, in a country where the rest of the world seems so unimportant. My last trip here was in end of February, where the air was much chillier. I started my day with a less upbeat mood despite hearing that there is a crazy sale going on. It must be the effect of having to live an extra 15 hours due to the time differences. As usual, I would like my breakfast as my first meal of the day. So I wanted to go back to this old diner called Tad's for a hearty American breakfast. To my disappointment, Tad's is now closed. My first unhappiness of the day.
With no stomach for anything else, I settled for my usual retail pilgrimage to most of the mainstream American labels available here. As usual, it is always fascinating looking and smelling the items displayed. My favourite is still the Urban Outfitters. It's like a sanctuary, full of interesting urbanites' necessities, to play with, to wear, to listen, to read, to sit, to look, to decorate, or simply to buy. I was quite surprise myself having to finish my list of shopping in less than an hour! As usual, they're always stuff for my friends and loved ones.
Interestingly, there's an Art Show going on in Union Square by the Art Society of San Francisco. It's like a deja-vu with local artists and I instantly recognise the "WOW! artwork" by someone known as Douglas Perkins (if I remember correctly). His sculptures made an impression on me, during my last trip. I also admire the photography art with interesting perspectives of images of San Fran's most discernible architectures.
I also walked a long way and found Chinatown at Bush Street. Before that, I also discovered a retail outlet called "avant card" equipped with the most interesting cards I've ever seen. I remember a few quotes in some of the cards that say, "great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events and small minds discuss people" , "we don't remember days, we remember moments" and "beautiful people are accidents by nature but beautiful old people are works of art". Very nice.
As I walked passed Chinatown, I headed to my right along California Street as I wanted to see Bay Bridge, where Oakland is at the other end of it. Coincidently, I found the Transamerica Pyramid and the Church of Scientology opposite of it. I quickly realise that I'm already in the CBD area and since Bay Bridge is not in my view anymore, I decided to head back. My second disappointment is the closing down of Cody's Book, next to Virgin Megastore. No choice, but to head to Borders and no prize for guessing, that Harry Potter made a grand display at the shop windows and entrance.
Another thing I must say is that Breakfast at Tiffany's or Audrey Hepburn is so accessible here. I can find all its nostalgias in those shops I visited. I bought myself BAT's soundtrack for US$8 minus the tax of 8.5%. My heart melted when I saw the display of Audrey's biography titles arranged on the rack. I only own two of them.
I yearn for solitude as I would love to finish the 2 books I brought along and Off the Edge magazine. But it's so impossible where I can only do things short-lived-ly here. I wonder whether this is due to the very consequence of American economic system. I found myself always wanting to be out there for a retail therapy, if not, a window one.
