It’s been an interesting three weeks running around a town I hardly knew anything about; my first time in the neighborhood was when I started the project. I will honestly say that it has been difficult – but at times easy.
The real difficulties I’m having are getting people to talk to me. For some reason I had more success with people in the first couple weeks then the third week into it. I think it depends on which neighborhood of the Sunset you actually are in. I found that people we’re much nicer in the beachy part then people that were in Golden Gate Park.
Maybe the beach neighborhood is the section I should just keep on researching for my project. I think the beach has a more calm feeling to it and it just brings out a good vibe in people. It seems like people are busier at Golden Gate Park and aren’t too open to talking to a stranger.
Once a week I’ve been hanging out at the Sloat entrance beach parking lot just observing the atmosphere and the people while eating lunch. As I sit there on the ledge bench I see all sorts of different people.
I was surprised to see so many people on a Wednesday afternoon at the beach. It was a gorgeous day, bright sun and temperature at about 60. A lot of people love to just come and wistfully sit and stare at the roaring waves of the ocean – it’s very relaxing.
There are big families – some that look like they could be visiting. I see people taking their afternoon run on The Great Highway. I see surfers making their way out to the six foot waves – wetsuit and board in hand.
It’s just a great place to relax. Sometimes you have to stop and take a look at what’s around you.
I forgot to forward this article to you about a woman who drove her Lexus into the water at Ocean Beach. Thought you might want to follow up and see if there is another story: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/02/11/BAAL1N61TE.DTL
While you’re relaxing, how about a few conversations?