San Francisco - Chinatown

Last week was spent roaming the streets of San Francisco.  Roger had a conference and I tagged along.  We actually lived on the east bay for a year sixteen years ago.  We would travel into the city for a specific event, but how often is the case when one is a resident, we didn't spend much time touring.

Once we realized our stay would be short we spent our weekends visiting all the places we most wanted to see:  the wine country, the scenic highway, Monterey, Pebble Beach, Muir Woods to name a few.  With the exception of an occasional dinner or the ballet we spent very little time in the city.

This trip I wanted to walk the streets and see the city from the inside out...my way.  I made my list knowing I wouldn't be able to see everything, but given the chance I would have a grand time trying.

The first day I spent my time getting my bearings.  I wanted to know the direction of everything and exactly where I might be able to go on foot. 

I walked up and down Mission

and over to Market Street.

 I found Union Square and scoped out a possible shopping trip.
It didn't take too many more blocks before I found

Chinatown.

San Francisco's Chinatown is the largest outside of Asia and the most heavily populated in the nation.   It was first developed when asians were brought into the area to build the railroads.  The most common language spoken is Cantonese.

The community is self sufficient.  It has it's own government, hospitals, Churches,

restaurants and markets.

There are parks

to gather with friends for an afternoon game of mahjong,

 and to honor

 heros.

Chinatown is full of color, sounds, and aromas.

Enjoy my view of Chinatown.

It is a bit overwhelming.

Just a bit of trivia...Chinatown was the backdrop for The Maltese Falcon,  The Flower Drum Song, Pursuit of Happiness, and The Presidio.

Just outside of Chinatown are blocks and blocks and blocks of hills.  Did I walk them?
Or find another mode of transportation?

Well, now that is a story for another day.