THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE:
Great day exploring the bridge and environs. Even more spectacular up close.
A view from Fort Point, a building still standing from the Civil War. Famous location shot for one of Hitchcocks most famous film, albeit with star absent.
The sea under the bridge is a popular surfing spot.
DE JONG MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS:
Stumbling on this was a great surprise. Located in Golden Gate Park the design is modern and the building surface is clad with unprotected copper which is perforated and textured to give the impression of light through a tree canopy. The copper is taking on a patina which makes the building blend even more with the surrounding gardens.
The entrance has a stunning mural created by the artist Gerhard Richter. The mural shows strontium titrate molecules pulsating under the electron microscope. The pulsating molecules cause a blur and its disorienting to look at.
The highlight was this exhibition. Unfortunately no photographs were allowed. Stunning jewelry and other pieces made of diamonds, sapphires, gems, silver, gold and lapis lazari. A multi-millon dollar display of Bvlgari pieces including those that once belonged to Elizabeth Taylor and other celebrities.
Conventional art elsewhere in the gallery but also modern and ...
...uncoventional like this coffin in the form of a cocoa pod.
GOLDEN GATE PARK AND THE NATIONAL AIDS MEMORIAL GROVE:
The memorial grove is a moving dedication to victims, surviors, friends and families. A quiet reflective place.
"Circle of Friends. Lives Touched by AIDS. Donors to the Grove. Those who have died. Those who loved them".
A memorial stone, amongst many, with this one in memorial to those who worked in the pornography industry.
Garden furniture cut from fallen trees
NORTH BEACH DISTRICT:
This is the "Little Italy" of SF. Packed with restaurant, coffee bars and delicatessens.
I sat in the sun and drank coffee and ate baked almond croissants. I drank coffee out of "soup" bowls and was told this was a common occurrence in Italy. Is that right Pietro?
You can store the body, park the car, arrange the funeral and withdraw money to pay for it, at this establishment. The Green Street Mortuary also arranges a music procession to accompany the coffin throught the streets. Sometimes musicians from the San Francisco Symphony orchestra help out (I'm not joking).
A focal point of the area is Washington Park and the statue of Benjamin Franklin. When it was erected the plinth had water coming out of the base to discourage homeless men and other riff raff from consuming alcohol in the vicinity. As you can see, it has not worked for this man. The Church of Saints Peter and Paul is nicknamed the "marzipan church" by locals due to its resemblance to a cake. Sorry don't get it. Marilyn Munroe and Joe DiMaggio posed on its steps after their civil marriage ceremony at city hall just to give the impression it was all legitimate (just abit of trivial for you).
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Italy is bit more sophisticated, we drink coffee in small cups, and have never seen an almond croissant
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