Sunny Days in San Francisco

I found out a surprising fact recently: Mark Twain did not infamously quote “the coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco”. Either way, the quote is dead on. Lucky for me, I spent the summer in Costa Rica and missed out on the chilly fog that filled the city all summer long. Luckier still, I am back in San Francisco just in time for Indian summer.

There really is nothing like a sunny day in San Francisco. Everyone is out and about and in a good mood. All the girls are wearing cute, summer dresses, and all the boys are turning their heads every time a girl walks by (unless, of course, you are in the Castro).

Festivals dominate the weekends, farmers’ markets overflow with produce; people sunbathe half-nude in Dolores Park (or fully nude if you are at Baker’s Beach).

The antics of street performers can be seen every few blocks. Musicians, jugglers, clowns, fortune tellers, and the like will perform for you for a donation or a smile. Although, I noticed something as I strolled by several performers while I was on my way to the Ferry Building (great place to spend a sunny day): where were the belly dancers? You’ve got the break dancers at the corner of Powell and Market, tap dancers at Fisherman’s Wharf, even people trance dancing by hippie hill. But no belly dancers. In a city filled with Tribal Fusion dancers, you’d think there would be at least one tapping into her inner gypsy and performing for the passersby. I’m almost tempted to belly dance by the street myself. But then I feel the warm sun on my skin, meander by a cafe, and get lulled into buying an iced coffee and lounging at an outside table. I guess I’ll save the belly dancing for another time.

Side note: I did belly dance in Duboce Park for a kid’s birthday party once. During the performance, a flock of green parrots landed in a nearby tree. Yes, we were that good- even the birds came to watch!