After a few days in San Francisco for some well-deserved rest and recreating, Erin and I arrived back in Portland last night. I never thought I’d need time to recover from a vacation, but I’m exhausted…and VERY happy about it. We walked all over San Francisco, ate too much wonderful food, drank too much (I learned that Lemon Drops, when made correctly, are patently addictive), and stayed out too late. It was in almost every respect a perfect break from reality…not that our day to day reality is anything to complain about.
As you might imagine, I took a few hundred pictures, but far more indelible were some of the impressions I took away from our time in Baghdad by the Bay (apologies to the late Herb Caen). Over the next few days, I plan to share some of those observations, if for no other reason than to help me process my experiences.
San Francisco displays the best and most modern of what humanity has to offer hard up against the very worst and most disturbing. I love the place, but there’s no way I could live there. Despite all the city has to offer, it’s like a favorite dessert. Have a slice or two, and you can push yourself away from the table with a satisfied smile. Indulge in four, five, or six slices, and you’re deep into sugar overload and the experience is significantly diminished. Portland feels just about perfect for me, though I could see myself going to San Francisco frequently as a visitor and enjoying it in bite-size pieces. Be it ever so humble….
