We are not in Kansas anymore. Well, forget the fact we never were but I’d imagine Texas and Kansas are at least closer in my ‘worlds’ proximity than San Francisco. If I didn’t end the evening with the heart tugging melodic voice of Rossana I’d be weary of what tomorrow has to bring. But I digress….
Neal and I have been enjoying an amazing 15th wedding anniversary. One tradition Neal and I have is we take turns surprising one another with a place to celebrate our anniversary. I began this tradition with our 1yr when we met friends of ours in Colorado. For the most part the trips have been pretty simple B&B’s in an area not far from us in Texas but being that this is the 15th I felt we needed to splurge a little and venture.
The first two days we’ve stayed in Napa Valley and have thoroughly enjoyed visiting the wineries. The angels were watching over us in a big way. Thursday we managed to get a rental car last minute even though they were completely booked (holiday weekend) AND the one they were able to give us was a convertible at the economy car rate! We had the most fun riding through the Valley enjoying the scenery and forgetting any stresses that have tied us down this past year. That evening we enjoyed a fabulous dinner at the Silverado resort. In the end the Executive Chef gifted us by personally taking care of our entire meal.
Friday we had planned for a car to pick us up and then take us to the smaller family owned wineries in the area and then over to San Francisco. I know, it sounds extremely indulgent but it is our 15th, we didn’t want to drink and drive, and well, by the grace of God we could afford it for this special occasion. 😉 There was not one winery we didn’t love – Rombauer, Summers, and The Robinson Family Winery (a boutique family operation, not even on the map) but our favorite was The Vincent Family winery. There was not one wine we didn’t enjoy.
The weather even cooperated for us as we entered into San Francisco and we got a great view of the Golden Gate Bridge as we headed into the city. That evening we set out to walk the city and find Ristorante Ideale, a little Italian place in North Beach. Our hotel is in the financial district so the walk wasn’t too bad, but I guess we weren’t prepared for the sudden culture shock. It was not unlike any other downtown area with the hustle and bustle of people set and determined to get to where they needed to go…I can’t put into words what felt different. It was that a feeling, like a looming fog of suffocating darkness. A far cry from the laid back, bright humored, easy breezy Napa Valley. The first building I laid eyes upon as we turned the corner from our hotel was the Church of Scientology. Along the edges of the buildings we passed men preparing to settle for the evening laying out their bedding and aligning their belongings along the concrete wall. A young man passed me as we passed a homeless man and he spit at him muttering under his breath (I then silently prayed for the young man and the homeless). One more turn and we were in China Town where the streets were not only lined with Asian cuisine but interspersed with Men’s lounges (topless, all nude, or male for male). My pace quickened and I do believe even Neal struggled to keep up. Finally we turned on Grant St. and I saw the restaurant. On our path to the front door we ran into a group of men rolling die in the alley and another man standing outside a building who called something out to me. I didn’t realize I was holding my breath till we got inside.
Once inside and seated I quickly recognized my personal judgments needed to subside. I need to see this. I need to get away from my sheltered life and see the sadness, the evil, the torment of what so many live through. I think the saddest thing is this is their life so to them it is not sadness, evil or torment…it is what they know and for many it is chosen. I need to appreciate this fact.
The dinner was fabulous, like we stepped into Rome and sat down at a local cafe. We maneuvered the streets better on our way home and once in the lobby of the hotel we heard the sweet sound of the guitar coming from the bar area. Neal just had to go in so we sat down, bought a drink and enjoyed an evening with Rossana. A beautiful brunette with a deep but smooth voice she began by singing other cover songs but once she got comfortable she moved into her originals which truly showcased her talent. Neal and I were hooked. One thing I kept noticing in the theme of her songs was she was dealing with the angst and torment of a break up. Listening to her I kept thinking, ‘Give me a song that shows you are worth more than this guy that isn’t worth your time!’ Finally she sang “Settled” which was about how she will not settle for anyone, that she is done wasting her time on settling for what is less than what she is worth. TRIUMPH! Her music can be found at www.rossanamusic.com
It was a great way to end the evening. Listening to this young woman kicked me out of my judgmental mindset and reawakened me into that loving nature of seeing God in everyone. I will have different eyes and a more welcoming heart as I walk (and ride the Trolly) of the streets in San Francisco today. I will tell you, it is heartbreaking when you walk down the street and see ‘Keep Abortion Legal’ pasted on windows. I’m the outsider, the intruder, the ‘odd ball’ here. I’m the visitor into their reality.
But I have high hopes for the day! 😉
Blessings
Shannon