The highlight of my summer was my moving out of Park Merced, saying goodbye to edge of campus living and hello to a new life (and lease) in a central abode in the city.
Little did I know that Alamo Square park was just a few blocks up from my new place in Lower Haight, bordering the outskirts of my new best friend this semester: the Western Addition.
Through curious observation as a first time visitor, I found the Western Addition to be a true hodgepodge of history when it comes to the music and culture that make San Francisco such a distinct destination.
I walked east up from Divisadero and down Geary Boulevard, which is said to be one of the longest streets in the city. Many of the buildings that line the boulevard are beautiful brownstones that caught my attention against the backdrop of towering trees that also surrounds much of the area.
One of the first buildings that really drew me in was a charter high school built entirely of bricks parallel to the Hamilton Park and Recreation Center. The KIPP: Bay Area school serves as a bridge between low-income and disadvantaged students in the area and their potential college endeavors.
The high school is of prestigious acknowledgement with a "top ranking charter school" banner hanging off the side of the building. However, I was disheartened by the various groups of homeless people that had taken refuge in the park directly behind the school, across the street from a children's recreational center.
Although I didn't feel threatened by the groups, I could only imagine what the hundreds of children that walk to and from school through these parks and down the boulevard encounter on a daily basis.
I stopped by the public library one block up from the Hamilton Recreation Center and talked with some of the workers on duty, as well as a local resident of the Western Addition - Rahel Zeleke.
As I was inquiring about the neighborhood and the type of social events offered in the community, Rahel was quick to open up about the high volume of violence and disturbances in the neighborhood. I wasn't prepared to hear about Rahel's close encounter with a stray bullet in her bedroom, just a few days prior to my meeting her.
Again, my mind wondered off to my earlier encounter at the park with the homeless people. I was also reminded that although the immediate and glorious boulevard of the district displays wondrous architecture and recreation, looks can be dangerously deceiving.
Up next on my itinerary was Japan Town, which features tons of delicious and colorful shops for sweets and Japanese accessories. A friend and I explored our meal options but couldn't decide on which one of the dozens of ramen noodle restaurants we wanted to feast at.
Across the street from the traditional ambiance of Japan Town is a rather new hybrid of retail space and art galleries called New People, which just celebrated its first anniversary. The building's modern architecture against the backdrop of old sake and karaoke bars quickly captures your attention as you walk up Post Street.
I love everything about the building, from the collective shop of Japanese imports and artist originals sold on the first floor to the the mixture of short-lease clothing and accessory boutiques hosted on the second floor. The best part about New People is the top floor art gallery that features rotating installations from both local and Japanese artists.
The overall commotion of Western Addition locals and shop goers seemed to be quite busy due to the mixture of residencies and businesses alike. My observations this semester will have to combine the interests of the community and issues at large, as well as the multicultural events to come. I look forward to a semester long of investigation and self discovery, not just of this beautiful city, but of myself and my journalistic abilities.
