It is already late August. School has already begun; I have a new group of children to inspire, to encourage, to teach. The last few weeks for me have been inspiring, encouraging and full of teaching moments. My friend from Spain has returned home, hopefully with new insight of what the United States is. It was a wonderful experience to share my nation, my state and my city. And it was wonderful to listen and learn to the European point of view about our America. It was very refreshing to learn that we all share the similar environmental, political, and just plain familial problems. I think the best thing about this whole experience was rediscovering Northern California- from the county fair in Santa Rosa to the wonderful, peaceful atmosphere of the mission at Carmel. And to go through San Francisco, my hometown. It's been a while since I've been to Fisherman's Wharf, with its kitschy tourist traps, the smell of crab cooking and the saltiness of the bay and the amazing vistas from any point. And traveling on Muni and BART, not that bad. The buses and trains seemed to be on time. And downtown was actually clean. And to hear the chatter of all visiting languages: German, Japanese, Italian (got to carry brief conversations in Dante's language) and English...the UK variety. We have world class museums; I was very impressed with the MOMA and its Richard Avedon exhibition. The new Academy of Sciences is spectacular. And overall, San Franciscans- I think we are friendly people willing to help out those visitors from abroad. I am so very glad that my friend chose the West Coast as his first American visit. The closest thing to the insanity of the East Coast we have is the Los Angeles area. But, I digress. It is wonderful to share something with someone new, in this case a city. I am hoping that his word of mouth will allow for future opportunities to share this side of the United States with friends from abroad.
"Los Angeles is not a circus; Los Angeles is a zoo.
"So New Yorkers say."
Dialogue between Armando and Lewis in Escape from the Planet of the Apes
