I’ve lived in San Francisco for about three weeks now and every day something takes me by surprise.
Just the other day I was sitting inside a café when I heard wings flapping very close to my head. I looked up and saw a pigeon had decided to enter the café from an opened window.
In Ohio this would have sent everyone in a tizzy, but in San Francisco people merely glanced at the bird and went back to their conversations. I sat there gawking at the bird and thinking how smart it was to pick this specific window to fly through; there were crumbs from pastries, a Mexican restaurant attached the back room and leftovers sitting on used tables. Talk about animals adapting to their environment.
I couldn’t help but throw my head back and laugh as one of the baristas slowly walked out from behind the corner with an exasperated look on his face and began chasing the pigeon. Luckily the barista was a fast-moving waddler, (yes, the barista waddled around the café after the bird). He waddled himself right behind the pigeon and scooped him up.
Another interesting occurrence that has happened more than once is the meeting of the branch.
The first time I met “the branch” I was running around the Fisherman’s Wharf and unfortunately missed the fact that ten people were staring in my direction with hopeful eyes. They were hoping the homeless guy hiding behind a branch would jump out at me and make me jump a mile. That day they got what they were wishing for.
As I passed him, the branch full with leaves began to wiggle and the man jumped out and screamed. I jumped a mile and the onlookers put money in his jar. I laughed but continued running with a heart that was beating twice its normal speed. Now that I consider myself more of a local (aka: I know how to get to the grocery store), I know to run behind the homeless guy with the branch and not infront of him.
I wonder how many times he’s been punched in the face?
Because I spend so much time running around the city, I have collected some pictures on my iPhone of the random things you see in San Francisco.
The giant noodle on Pier 39. “Please do not climb the noodle.”
The Bay Bridge in my backyard.
Towers so tall they reach the clouds.
Hidden gardens in a city where you rarely see grass.
Running from your front door to the Golden Gate Bridge.
Having a cruise ship parked in your backyard.
An endless line of sailboats.
And finally, “STOP! Hammer time!” at the Disrupt after party.
I told you homeboy, can’t touch this.
