After watching the new X-Men: The Last Stand theatrical trailer, where you can clearly see that Magneto, the master of magnetism, is doing something really insane to the Golden Gate Bridge, I said to myself, "I've never visited San Francisco... I've better go there soon before The Brotherhood of Evil Mutants strikes the city... Gotta see that bridge."
So, I took a couple of days off from work and last weekend I stayed in San Francisco. I have to say, it's a very cool city. I had a really good time. The public transportation system they have there is great. You can take an electric trolley bus (or light-rail vehicles, or the world-famous cable cars) and get around and go anywhere you like in the city/county quickly, without any problem, and without having to walk a long distance to get to your destination. It is light years away from what we have here in Tijuana, or even San Diego. Public transportation is a pain in the ass around here.
I also enjoyed visiting the SF Museum of Modern Art and the Asian Art Museum. I noticed that there are a lot of artists, and art galleries, and art academies, and a lot of places where you can listen to good music. It just has an amazing art environment. My dad was fortunate to study art in the Bay Area some time ago (I'm guessing that was in the 60's) and I always wanted to go there.
I noticed that SF is the most tolerant city I have ever visited. You can go through any street and walk by people from all different cultural backgrounds and economic status. During my whole stay I didn't get any stupid remarks like, "Well, you don't sound Mexican", or, "You're coming here to work, aren't you? Why do I get the stinkin' feeling you are lying to me?", as a friendly US immigration officer once told me when I was crossing the border to go to the San Diego Comic-Con.
I even got to see a very big protest starting at the Civic Center Plaza which lasted all weekend. Something against the president of the US, and something about the third anniversary of the war, I don't know, I was just passing by.
I did visit all of the usual tourist attractions (Fisherman's Whorf, Alcatraz, China Town, Haight & Ashbury), but the biggest surprise I had was at the Golden Gate Bridge, where I saw a blue Imperial logo sticker on a sign that read:
INJURY OR DEFACEMENT
OF THIS BRIDGE
IS A MISDEMEANOR
VIOLATORS WILL BE PROSECUTED
I guess that the Galactic Empire arrived at the Golden Gate Bridge before Magneto and his henchmen (and henchwomen) did.
That's a relief.
-Isma.
