I parked at Haight & Pierce, walked down to Duboce and Fillmore, boarded the N-Judah and rode all the way out to Ocean Beach. Just because. I had no agenda, other than to see what might have changed around 9th & Irving. Looked about the same. I noticed a cool-looking bookstore called "Great Overland Books" that looked cozy. Along the way, the sun started coming out, which is odd - usually it gets foggier and colder as you go towards the coast. It was sunny and windy when I got to the beach; I said a quick hello to the waves, and promptly ducked into the Java Beach Cafe to go to the bathroom and get warm. All the locals were hunkering down in cozy couches with warm beverages and fresh pastries. With my decaf au lait in hand, I went back out to catch the same tram heading back towards my point of origin.
Spur of the moment desicion - I got off at Carl & Cole and walked down to Haight Street. By now it was almost 11:00AM and the clothing stores were just opening up. A little visitor's tip - Haight Street is pretty seedy. Lots of seemingly able-bodied kids sitting along the sidewalk asking you for money. But at that time of day, it's pretty deserted, and there is some very decent shopping to be had. You have some great stores all to yourself - American Apparel has opened a store there, and there are old standards like my favorite, Ambiance. This store has everything from cute no-name dresses for 20 bucks to high, high-end. I could have spent hours there, but eventually hunger and the need for a bathroom takes over. My wallet was significantly lighter when I left, but I made some solid purchases - a dress for my brother's wedding and a trendy-yet-versatile top. It was starting to rain again, so I started walking down Haight Street, hoping the 71 MUNI bus would catch up quickly. I made it to a covered bus stop right before it started pouring, and pulled out half a sandwich that I'd brought from home. Finished right before it was time to hop on the bus, which dropped me across the street from my car. It was really raining by then, so I dashed to the car and got in the back seat. Phew. Now what? Well, I still have to use the bathroom (not many great options in the Lower Haight), but I'm not ready to go home. I could head down to the Mission for some thrift store shopping, but I'm feeling rather sickened by the idea of spending more money - even if it's at a steal of a price. Japan Town has bathrooms, covered parking, and more-than-satisfactory window shopping. Perfect.
It stopped raining on my way up to Japan Town. I circled the block once and found a fat spot on Bush Street between Webster & Buchanan. Sweet! Walk down Webster Street and enter on the lower level of the Kintetsu shopping center. I notice that a restaurant called Bushi Tei has moved over (downsizing?) from the strip on Post Street. Weird. Still swanky looking on the inside. And I smell....mmm. Sweet dessert dumplings, but I'm going to pass for now. Take care of the bathroom situation and head into Kinokuniya Bookstore. Every time I go back, they've expanded. Most of it is cheesy, it's true for Kinokuniya and for Japan Town in general. Lots of trinkety, overpriced crap that Americans like. But J-town serves a worthy purpose of providin goods that cannot be found anywhere else besides Japan. Or Little Tokyo in LA. I MUST have access to good, high quality Japanese tea, for example. That and good quality rice - these are non-negotiable items for me. But sometimes, just roaming the aisles of Nijiya Grocery store is enough. The candies, the baked goods, the fish and meats cut specially for cooking sukiyaki, or chanko nabe, or sashimi. And the ceramic dishes - tiny blue and white saucers for soy sauce, tokkuri for sake, tea cups and rice bowls; seeing these things gives me indescribable happiness. Today, I was content with "visiting" the merchandise before it was time to go home. I was inspired, though, to cook something that I used to get all the time at izakayas (taverns) in Japan. Bacon-wrapped asparagus. Don't ask me why. I will make it tomorrow, though. Served with a wedge of lemon and a squirt of mayonnaise on the side! :D
