Travel…
If you thought that my travel plans would result in some long silences here, then you’d be mistaken. The home fires are tended by much missed loved ones (I know - I didn’t get around to fixing the switch on the washer, but if you just press hard on it and then turn…. there’s never time for everything, is there?).
Meanwhile I am steaming around here getting a good lesson in many things. Today I crossed the Golden Gate Bridge and looked back on San Francisco from the barren, tussocky bluffs that are the ‘wrong’ side of the bay. This is a city that is actually beautiful, and not just large, impressive or over-awing. Hibiscus bushes, fig trees and lush buildings that command fabulous views - and on the far side of the bridge something closer the the yorkshire moors with the spirit of an untamed Heathcliff roaming about them.
How does one make sense of this? Or does one just wonder and enjoy? The latter, I suspect.
Since I’d spent part of last week visiting the Loeb institute at Harvard and thinking about ephemeral art in cities this is not an idle question. Why is it that some cities cry out for art, and others seem already to have it?
More on this when I have a clue about it.
on April 26th, 2008 at 1:50 am
One of the happiest days of my life began with a walk in and around the Presidio and up by foot to view the great bridge. Then across we went to the other side by car and over to Mount Tamelpais for a picnic. Toward the end of day, we crossed back over and sat on a hill to watch the bridge change its color reflecting light from the golden ball as it dipped into the Pacific. (Did you know that in one plan, the bridge was going to have been painted gun metal gray?)
Ah, dear administrator, please take one more look.
MLou
on April 27th, 2008 at 3:41 am
Dear Mary Lou,
Perhaps I didn’t spell out the beauties of the place clearly enough, since practically every street one walks up or down has a view of something spectacular, and the bridge itself is extraordinary. It all defies words, rather. Possibly the bridge itself is the greatest piece of art? And the landscape does indeed change color as the sun settles. One has not just the larger glories of nature, inescapable because the sky is such a vast presence here, but also the smaller delights of beautiful in the quirky houses clinging to cliffs, every corner presenting a scenic outlook.
I’m sure there’s a seedy side of town, but I haven’t seen it yet.
As ever, A
on April 27th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
I agree that the bridge is a great piece of art. And you’re right about the specatacular views everywhere you turn including “the quirky houses clinging to cliffs.”
When you find the seedy side of town, Please advise.
As ever, MLou