Just another day in the city

I was quite pleased to host my father in the city this weekend, well rather on Saturday where the weather was approvingly exceptional. Walking from the Palace of Fine arts next to the arena around Fisherman’s Warf, along to the Ferry building and finally down Market street I have got to say this again, I absolutely love San Francisco. A mix between quaint small town feel with joggers along the streets, quiet tree lined streets, and yet still the big city feeling in the down town area, not to mention fantastic restaurants at every corner.

Sunday returned to the dreary drizzling day that has been overhanging our fair city for a few weeks now. I ran out to get some food and just happen to run into a large St. Patty’s day celebration. Frankly like most towns our police and fire force is made up of a good portion of our friends from Ireland so attendance was heavy with the forces in class A dress uniforms. Humorously enough the entire parade route was simply three blocks long with it beginning around the corner of the city capital building and ending around the other corner. But bless the Irish, ever present steady rain and occasional downpour did not dampen the spirits of celebration. Beer was bountiful in every hand with more than a few cigars to help clear the air. Young girls soaked to the bone yet marching in step to the grandstand where they quickly performed a fantastic Irish jig, water splashing them from the puddles they slam their feet into. In just seconds of marching away from grandstand they are covered in towels, jackets and blankets by proud parents. A large group of a native dogs for Ireland that looks like something from Hound of the Baskervilles, standing almost 3 feet all and many 6 feet long, completely soaked and bedraggled scare some of the smallest children. A number of floats by the different trade unions bring up the rear, each more proud of their Irish ancestry than the next. A fun way to round out the weekend even if I did come home dripping.

As of now I am flying to Cincinnati, yes I know a hot bed of excitement and entertainment where I will be spending a blissful 18 hours before returning home for almost two weeks, the excitement abounds.