As we finish our 5th week of Shelter-in-Place in San Francisco, spirits are generally good around the city. A new routine has taken place in my weekday schedule. Following a Zoom meditation session offered every Mon-Fri by my acupuncturist, I work from 9:00-3:00.
By 3:00PM, my husband and I head out for our favorite activity -- a hike or long walk in some part of the City, grateful that outdoor exercising is allowed and encouraged, with physical distancing adhered to, of course. We balance our walks between urban sidewalks and park lands where I can get dirt under my feet.
One recent weekday we decided to walk from our condo through the most densely packed parts of the City. Off we went, first through Chinatown where it usually is difficult to move at more than a shuffle. That day, the streets were almost bare, with most shops shuttered, closed for business.
We then continued to Columbus Avenue at the periphery of North Beach, and through the financial district - again, empty streets.
We crossed the Embarcadero and went to the ferry building. One musician was playing (and very well) for spare change. Inside, the ferry building was eerily empty. Only a handful of retail stalls were open, a far cry from what we'd normally find at 4:00PM on a work day.
To finish our walk, we headed north along the Embarcadero - no need to dodge crowds on the wide sidewalks--only a handful of others were out. On we went, passed Ghiradelli Square, Aquatic Park and up Van Ness Avenue back home.
A strangely silent time in a city normally filled with the hustle and bustle of urban life.
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