Around the World: Haight Ashbury

December 10, 1991

Map courtesy of MapQuest

Went window shopping in Haight-Ashbury and had no problem finding record stores and vintage clothing shops. Walking along the streets is like being transported back in time to the 60's with a peppering of modern alternative splashed in black and silver to remind me that it is actually 1991.

Corner of Haight & Ashbury Streets.

Photo by Goodralph, Creative Commons Atribution

Today is election day in the United States.  People are friendly, and politically conscious enough to ensure I have voted, which of course, I haven't.  I quickly learned that saying, "No," to the repetitive inquiries of "Did ya vote, man?" only invites a lecture about not exercising my 'American rights, man', and being chastised for not performing my 'civic duty, man'. Then I have to stop and explain to each person, "I'm only visiting from Canada, man." It's just easier to just say, "Yea, man!" and go on my way.

Made sure to head in the right direction for the restaurant tonight. Met another hostel-mate from Tokyo. He has a rented car and we went for a drive to the beach and through Japantown. I bought some sake on his recommendation and we shared it when we got back to the hostel.

Read an interesting story in "The San Francisco Guardian". The city dumped a couple truck loads of snow in one the city's parks and only parents and their children were allowed to play in it. Kind of cool for a place that rarely sees the white stuff and fun on a day that had temps in the mid 20's. Well done, San Francisco!

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"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world
- indeed it is the only thing that ever does"
-Margaret Meade