Where to start on San Francisco? Without a doubt, my favorite part of the city was Chinatown. Wonderful alleys to wander, with infinite interesting details to frame.
The mixture of the common and the unusual was a delight. I loved the cross of the cultures to be found in Chinatown. Seeing the different languages made me feel as if I were traveling abroad, and I found myself surprised when I would enter a store or a restaurant and someone would speak to me in English. In the two years I lived in Italy, I developed some deep-rooted associations between traveling outside my culture and language: If it’s not my culture, they won’t speak my language. It was interesting to see this assumption tested so obviously in a US environment.
The sights, the sounds, the details, and the textures of Chinatown made it my kind of place. We found ourselves wandering here, for at least a little while, on most days of our trip. I just wanted to drink it all in with my camera.
Great shots! I love SFO’s Chinatown, it’s such an interesting place. We have quite a few great stories from our visits there. Your post makes me want to drive up and visit again.
Kat – great details and colors and textures. Love the contrast of Chinese characters with their English counterparts.
Gorgeous shots, love the beautiful contrasting colours and the English and Chinese.
The vivid colors draw the eye. San Fran is one of my favorite cities to visit and photograph.
Great shots of Chinatown, Kat! I love the contrast of colors and textures. Can’t wait to see more!
I miss SF. It is a great city full of diverse and beautiful scenes. Love your images of it…makes me feel a bit homesick 😉
Oh, to have even lived there for a little while. Lucky you!