Mikes Epic Road Trips - California 2009:Monday, September 28th - Dial-up blues, and a mission in the Mission.

Monday, September 28th

My digs here in SF are sorta like a time warp: no internet and only rotary phones. Ever try using a phone menu with a rotary phone? Ain't gonna happen! When my host needed to use a tone phone he would go out and find a pay phone. Now, he has a cell phone.

Using my USB modem I can get a blazing 44k connection rate to a dial-up server. This slows down the uploading of image files to a crawl. By comparison I get 3-5 megabytes per second at home. This convinced me I needed to check out the "free" WiFi at Farley's cafe around the corner. I say "free" because when you connect you get a login screen where you can purchase time or get 2 hours of access with no charge by using an ad supported connection.

I chose the later, and I must say, for wireless, it is fast. Or at least it sees that way after watching dial-up in action for a coupla days. Now, I can sit here in apartment, process the photos, generate the pages and add the commentary and then just go around the corner and upload everything in a matter of minutes. Very handy. So, after doing that yesterday I headed back the apartment, got my day pack organized and hopped on the 22 and rode it up to Mission and 16th.

Click on the photos below for a larger image.

That's my laptop screen. I sat outside on one of the benches while uploading my web files. It was a bit brisk, but tolerable. Since I had the WiFi access I also took the time to catch up on my email.

One of the main reasons for heading up to the Mission was to see if I could find a used bike which would be cheap enough to justify buying it for my use on the this trip. I would not be doing this had my bike not been stolen when I was here in 2007. Then, I had used a cheap cable lock which is not much of an obstacle to an accomplished bike thief. This time I brought a heavy Kryptonite style lock along with my helmet, just in case. But, the cheapest beater I could find was 150 bucks so it looks like I will be relying on my feet and good old MUNI to get me around town.

I took the above photo to demonstrate how the locals cross the street. Notice the little lighted walk sign just right of center. They are in every city now. But here, they actually pay attention to them and use them. So far I have seen very few people crossing against one of the lights. I am so used to jaywalking in Morgantown and crossing anywhere at anytime I am having to retrain myself lest I end up a pedestrian casualty.

An obligatory shot from one of the markets, most of which have outside stands full of beautiful and interesting produce. This is taro root.

I think this was yucca root.

While strolling up and down Mission street I learned a lot about women's fashions.

Talk about a thankless and never ending job - painting over gang tags and other graffiti. I am sure this fella is out here on a daily basis with roller and paint.

There were sidewalk vendors all up and down Mission Street. I am sure this couple has some significance to the locals. But, why is she clutching a fawn to her and what's with the fallen eagle? Is she dead or dying? At lease we can determine it must have been a chilly day based on certain anatomical features of this fallen princess.

I have never seen so many cell phone holders in my life. Bins and bins of them all up and down Mission. I asked how much they were and the lady said - "Eight dollars". She must have seen the look on my face because she immediately said that would include a phone charger and pre paid minutes card.

I had heard about this place on one of the foodie shows on cable. Bourdaine I think. The tortas (sandwiches) here are of gigantic proportions. So, when I go back here I am hoping to commandeer someone to split one with me. Will it be Steven or Steve...?

There are lots of murals in the Mission and in San Francisco in general. Below are detail shots of this mural.

Whoops!! How did she sneak in here?

There are a number of old, defunct movie house in the Mission. No wonder they used to be called "Movie Palaces". WOW!!

The interior of the El Capitan Theatre was a beautiful example of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture while the outside was built with a splendid Mexican Baroque facade.

Although the auditorium is long gone, the facade and attached hotel still stand, with the moderne marquee standing guard over the entrance to the theater's new use as a barren parking lot.

The demolition of all but the decorative facade and the gutted foyer of the El Capitan Theatre in 1964, remains one of San Francisco's major losses.

Source: Cinema Treasures

Unfortunately this place was closed. It might have been an interesting place for supper.

Yet another mural.

Such whimsy!!! Marvel vs DC?

A shot from another market's outside produce bin.

Many of the window displays were very colorful and quite attention getting.

Ah yes, the famous "House of Celular".

More colorful window displays. These seemed to be some sort of religious items.

Time for Supper!

Welcome to Yamo. S.D. Black took me here in 2007. It is a no frills hole-in-the wall with cheap, tasty food. It seats only about 10 people. My kinda place. It is at 3406 18th near Mission.

This is the house noodles with beef. $5.25.
"I'll be back..."

All the markets have stacks and stacks of tortillas.

This is Clarion Alley, the mural alley S.D. took me to in 2007. The murals are constantly being mutilated and there are volunteers who restore them on a regular basis. It was here I saw two pigeons copulating but I missed the photo opp.

I would love to hear the artist explain the inspiration behind this painting.

Grab shot at 16th and Mission.

There is no doubt the Mission district is considered a bit grubby and, a "rough neighborhood". Indeed, maybe rough all over. But I felt comfortable and at home here. There is nothing phony about the Mission. Maybe that's why the tourists never venture into this part of San Francisco.

When I got back on the 22 to head home these folks got on as well. They looked very tired and forlorn. The fella had his hand on his companion's shoulder and never took it off once for the duration of the ride.

Ridin' the 22. Beats flying.

I got off at my usual stop - 18th and Texas. It was now about 5:30 with plenty of daylight. It was cool and breezy with occasion gusts. Very invigorating and the kind of weather my mind always conjures up when I am thinking of San Fran. I decided to cross over the freeway and poke around the Dogpatch for a bit.
I saw several of these posters pasted around.