Easter Sunday was the first warm and sunny day of 2023, and it seems San Franciscans were out and about in full force. Even the homebody me went to the Mission Dolores area for a bit of afternoon sun and food. I get it: after an intense winter of cold and rain, the desire to be outside in the sunshine is strong. Dolores Park was absolutely jammed packed with revelers. In celebration of Easter, there was a Foxy Mary and Hunky Jesus contest. It is exactly what you think it is, and how appropriate it is for San Francisco to turn Christianity into a beauty contest.
Sometimes I feel like a tourist in my own city, because I typically stay home so much. The fun activities that people do, the unique districts that people hang out in: there’s plenty I’ve actually never partake. Yesterday we sat in an outdoor parklet for hours, just drinking and eating sliders. You know what’s great? The widespread availability of non-alcoholic beers at bars now. It’s great for people like me who really prefer to not drink alcohol.
I also had Bi-Rite ice cream for the first time. An apparent San Francisco institution that my friends chastised me for never having. The line around the block is a show of its popularity. I don’t think my homebody tendencies can be blamed here: I simply don’t eat a lot of ice cream. Fat and sugar may be a splendid combination for taste, but not so great when it comes to health. But for a sunny and mid 70s afternoon in San Francisco, two scoops on a waffle cone is quite amazing. I am disappointed that Bi-Rite does not offer my favorite flavor: rocky road.
Will I spend more time outside now during the weekends? Probably not. Tendencies and habits are tough to break. I have to say though I do enjoy it immensely during the few occasions that I do. Easter Sunday afternoon in the Mission was lovely. It’s the sort of San Francisco atmosphere that people flock to.
The spice of life.