What, you call yourself a blogger? I say to myself in the morning as I peer bleary-eyed in the bathroom mirror. You haven't updated your blog in weeks!
True, too true.
No excuses, but justifications aplenty. I've been leading a rather nomadic life, not all the romance and adventure that some might imagine it to be. But I try to capture the day's fleeting joy wherever I am.
I do write constantly. Really, I do! Did you know, for example, that I still have a whole Longchamp-bagful of absolutely incredible prose that I produced in Paris which still hasn't found its way to this blog, or any other publication? Well, I do, and here it is:
Observe it sitting coyly next to the Ed supermarket bag which I use for all my urgent correspondence.
Well, I have to go pack (again!), but wanted to offer a little France-in-San-Fran photo essay from my most recent treks -- the cafes, the Legion of Honor Museum, the boutiques, the pollarded trees, the government buildings.
35 comments:
Oh yay. yay. yay. for us readers! Nice for you too of course, but better for us. I can't wait to read your Sunday Strolls and see the pix.
San Fransciso...fabulous! When we had French friends visiting many years ago we took them to SF, and they kept saying, "oh, it's so European!"
(don't know if you're familiar with the area, but be warned that you never call it "Frisco" lest you want to risk the ire of the locals.)
I'm so excited about being in SF! and yes, will keep writing.
And I do always SAY the whole city name, but my lazy fingers usually write just "SF."
Yeah, here's what the Urban dictionary says about "Frisco"
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=frisco
Growing up in the Bay Area, it was always referred to simply as "The City." As in, "we're going to The City to do some shopping and have lunch at the wharf."
Anyhow, I'm really excited for you!
Hello Polly, Welcome to San Francisco. The government building photos are just a few minutes from my office -- as is "Brenda's French Soul Food" -- maybe we can meet there some day for lunch ( http://www.frenchsoulfood.com/ ) . . . . Jake
Now I have another person to visit when I finally make it out there!
Wishing you success, joy, and lots of laughs as you go forward to a new city and a new life. Bon courage and I look forward to reading about all your adventures.
Must be the season. I haven't blogged much lately either. No excuse except for writing outside Japanese subjects.
Best of luck with your move and new job. You live and have lived and will live in some wonderful places!
The best of luck to you on the West Coast!
Real San Franciscans say simply The City. We'll see in two years: will you think it's the only City that really counts?
As a francophile living in San Francisco, I agree that there are many places here to satisfy one's need for something French. (Try Patisserie Philippe, for example.) And, yes, people who live here tend to refer to San Francisco as "San Francisco" or simply "The City." Welcome to San Francisco and, fear not, every winter is not as rainy.
Polly, you sound so much like me! When I had to finally say good-bye to Paris after so many years, my heart broke and I spent more years looking for another city to fall madly in love with. Your trek from Virginia to New Jersey and now San Francisco sounds like mine, although geographically different. I, too, made my way to San Francisco because it is as you say, so very French. I hope you're not disappointed as I was, because when you love....you can't always replace that love so easily with another. I wasn't truly happy until I returned to Paris. I hope your story ends happily as well, in SF or wherever.
Jake -- I'll be working not far from that govt building, so coffee or lunch, definitely!!
Gina, I filled out your survey. Keep me updated on the results! Interesting project.
Scott, I'm looking forward to discovering all the French places in SF -- and non-French, too, of course.
And of course when I say SF I am really thinking of the whole Bay Area. I love it.
Thanks everyone, and DO come visit!
How do you figure San Franscisco is most like France? The most French like city in the US is New ORLEANS, there's no area in France called "Francisco". San Francisco was never even a part of France for pete's sake!
Re. anonymous I don't think the most French city in the US is New Orleans... historically speaking, maybe. But I do see what the author means by comparing France and SF.
Anyway, enjoy the move! I have heard great things about San Francisco, sounds like a nice place to live.
"But I try to capture the day's fleeting joy wherever I am."
That's so good to do that... I always forget... If I could only remember to do it even some hours a day... I would be so happy !!!
I've only been to San Francisco once. I liked the city very much, but couldn't stand the weather.
I love San Francisco; in spite of the Spanish name, it does have a very European vibe. :)
Margaret, your comment is so strange! Do you know something the rest of us are unaware of? Since when doesn't Spain belong to Europe any longer?
I tried to connect with you on Linkedin but it requires your e-mail address...
Congrats on your new adventure! I love San Francisco too. I miss the fresh fruits and vegetables and great Asian food there, among many things. One thing I enjoyed having every once in a while was afternoon tea at the Palace Hotel on Montgomery Street. Oh, the SF public library supports GREAT free walking tours covering many aspects of the city. Check out their website (www.sfcityguides.org)!
bon courage Polly. Paris and the whole french thing is truly in your heart - as it is in mine. so where ever you go all you have to do is have a nice glass of wine, some good cheese and close your eyes and you are there!!!
bon courage Polly. Paris and the whole french thing is truly in your heart - as it is in mine. so where ever you go all you have to do is have a nice glass of wine, some good cheese and close your eyes and you are there!!!
Thanks for all your wonderful good wishes.
And the coolest thing is that my new office has a great view of the dome of SF City Hall (as seen in the photo)!
San Francisco should be a blast! My sister is currently living there now =)
//Sorry, I deleted my last comment because I forgot to introduce myself!
I came across your blog from some expat blog networks- I actually just moved from the US to Beijing; it's been a pretty crazy transition.
I hope your move to SF goes smoothly =) I'm definitely missing the cleaner US air!
I agree totally with Maria above. Whenever things get rough in California, just "lie back and think of France."
Can't wait to hear more.
Oh I am a little late to get here! I just wanted, with all the others, to wish you the best with your move!
I am really excited to know you will be in SF! Polly Goes to San Francisco! How cool is that going to be!
Best, and looking forward to all the cool posts about the city -- I also love it there, the couple of times I have been able to visit.
Karin
(an alien parisienne)
Hi Polly, great blog! Not sure if you'll remember me, but I used to babysit your kiddos when they were little:) I always remember you saying "c'est moi!" when you came home:)
Hope you are enjoying SF, it's such a great city!
Hi Anne, I do remember you!
Vivianne, I **love** the comment. Instead of "Think of England!" LOL
San Francisco is a delight; I am revelling in it.
Bonjour Polly!!
As a french expat in the bay area, I say welcome!!!
And of course, SF is not like France, but people are very opened and well traveled, and they like really good food!!
There are also PLENTY of french people here maybe for those reasons...
Many stores also sell french products so you won't be deprived...
A bientot!
marion
Polly,
Je suis un peu triste de lire que vous allez quitter la France, peut-être parce qu'étant sur place, vous représentiez pour moi un véritable lien avec mon pays d'origine. Votre curiosité, votre perception des choses et votre façon d’exprimer vos impressions enrichissent vos lecteurs. Votre découverte de Paris et des Français touche à sa fin; heureusement, une francophile reste francophile mais lorsqu'on la transplante dans un autre sol. Je continuerai donc à vous lire sur ce blog et sur Facebook avec un grand plaisir.
Bonne chance!
Oh - Longchamp handbags and ED for groceries. A lady with her priorities straight, I see! I just stumbled across your blog and relate to so much of it. Thanks. Best wishes in SF.
I found you via Google Reader's "recommended sources". I don't know anything about their algorithm, but I think they may have something here. I just perused your blog and find it very entertaining.
Welcome to San Francisco!
Congratulations Polly. I'm Grace Teshima's friend Lee, I live in San Francisco. Welcome to the Bay Area, you'll see "some" French things, La Boulange" is a wonderful place if you want to think of Paris.
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