"Where Little Cable Cars - Climb halfway to the St
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11/24/2011
Yep, the 94109 is (lodged between the "Tenderloin", and Knob-Hill). it is literally where poor folk, and rich folk meet;separated literally by a few blocks, along with a generous helping of tourists, upscale stores,restaurants, hotels,and boutiques (and all in walking distance for me. And having grown up in Hyde Park, (a neighborhood on the south side of Chicago, at one time reknowned for places like University of Chicago, the checkerboard lounge, Club theresa's, Soldier's field, Museum of Science and Industry, Adler Planetarium), these days Hyde Park can proudly boast of being the former home of our current, sitting President. (tho some years earlier, i actually grew up in the same neighborhood. At that time as it was always racially diverse it was known amongst some as the "United Nations" of Chicago. I had the pleasure of literally growing up, and attending school at an early age with kids from almost everywhere in the world.no small feat, since for the most part, Chicago was, and continues to be one of the most racially segregated cities in the country.
San Francisco is very racially diverse too. But not nearly as integrated as it may seem at first glance. And even tho there seems to be a huge gay population here, not nearly as tolerant. i grew up in a fairly conservative household, and certain issues, just never came up. but one year i attended a summer session at the school of the Art Institute in Chicago, it continues to be one of the most endearing memories i have. I was allowed to explore my artistic side that summer, and i met many different people, from many different backrounds, (just the way i like it). this time some of them were gay. and while i am not gay, i learned that they are no more, and no less than a part of our society. Like "the rest of us", some good, some bad. San Francisco has that in common with the the Art Institute that i attended. But I've been surprised (as many may be), to learn that it is not nearly as tolerant of the gay community as one might think.
From my zipcode, i have but to step outside my door to see those cable cars, the glamorous, and the common folk, the good, the bad, and the ugly, and those for whatever reason - down on their luck.
On any given day or night; at the foot of an impeccably groomed doorman, who, for that (discreetly slipped bill into his palm), can make a cab magically appear for the well-heeled, wealthy tourist; sits perhaps a pregnant,unwashed, girl; hoping someone will slip somethi
TajNia | San Francisco, CA