Sundays are my day. On Sundays I like to have no plans and just go with whatever I feel like doing in the moment. Generally I head to church and then jump on whatever bus will take me to my destination for the day. Leaving church I heard someone mention the Haight-Ashbury Street Fair was going on. Perfect.
I quickly jumped on the 33 and shortly after arrived in the Haight. I approached the front of the bus to exit, purse over my shoulder, sunglasses in hand. Stepping off the steps about a block away from Haight and Ashbury, I took my headphones out of my ears to enjoy the sites and sounds of the day. The sun was warm, the wind was blowing and people were just starting to show up at the street fair. I must have put my sunglasses back in my purse because later in the day I realized I was not wearing them as I had planned. My only regret at this moment was forgetting my SLR.
I headed down the line and viewed the little booths set up by a wide array of people and groups. My first stop was at a lady's booth who made jewelry. She was from Africa. She had beautiful jewelry. Trying on a big green necklace with round circles, I questioned her on the price. "$45," she said. Smiling, I put the necklace back. It was at this moment I noticed a silver bracelet with different colored stones resting in the bracelet. Cash in hand, I purchased the charming bracelet and went on my way.
As I walked I took note of the people joining me in the festivities. Mostly young adults all sporting their Ray Bans (mostly fake) while wearing t-shirts with sayings like "Legalize Gay." Each person seemed to be expressing themselves through their mix-matched clothing, vintage flower dresses and plaid button downs. Each person uniquely the same as everyone else in the crowd seemed right at home on this street. They were 'hip' ... and they knew it.
By 5 o'clock the drunken festivities began as the local bars boasted happy hour specials for the fair. Girls clutching their Stella in one hand and cigarette in the other lined the streets. The men spoke of the recent concerts and showed off their latest tattoos until their fourth beer when they finally got the courage to speak to the "Stella Girls."
As I left the fair I realized that while enjoying a day on Haight is fun, someone like me could never live there. To them I'd be an imposter, to them I'm just another person congesting their street. Oh well, back to my apt in Nob Hill I go.
