SF Chinatown

I love Chinatown in San Francisco! I have to restrain myself from buying random things I don't need, like Buddha sculptures carved out of "jade" and those crazy firecracker things you throw on the ground. Something I love, and I know everyone does, is the amazing architectural details you can find in San Francisco. There are so many different styles blending together and it all seems to fit seamlessly. One thing I love about Chinatown are the details up and down the street. Like the street signs being written in English and Chinese, the lamp posts are decorated, and even the level of detail and relief on the design of the Chinatown gate. It's details like that which make San Francisco special and Chinatown is no exception. My favorite thing about Chinatown is the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory. I remember being a little girl and walking through Chinatown with my dad and walking down this creepy alley (Ross Alley). I was so scared but then I could smell the aroma of fresh fortune cookies. I walked in and the owner handed me a warm cookie, but it was flat. I thought that was so strange...there was no fortune. Well I have come to love those flat cookies and crave them regularly (I brought back 6 bags with me...don't judge!) They bag and sell the flat cookies, they are the ones that cool too quickly before they can be folded, and they are just as tasty, minus the fortune.

Chinatown Gate

Detail on the Chinatown Gate

Lanterns!

Folding Fortune Cookies...yumm....

The operation at the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory

Public Art

I have always admired cities that appreciate public art. It allows something beautiful to be admired by the public. Right now there is a public display all over the city called the "Hearts in San Francisco" which is a project benefiting San Francisco General Hospital. This project is similar to Chicago's "Cows on Parade", the symbol of the heart was chosen for San Francisco as a symbol of the city's acceptance and tolerance as well as being "perennially open-hearted." Emerging and recognized local artists have transformed these giant hearts all over the city. They were installed in parks, on street corners, and various locations throughout the city. These are some that I saw in Union Square.

I left my heart in San Francisco (or at least a piece of it for sure...)

I'm back. Trip was fantastic, got to catch up with old friends and family and has such a blast climbing and roaming all over the city. I have some great photos that I am sure I will be posting and blogging about, for now, here is a taste of why I love this place (architecturally speaking...)