Kiwis and Fairy Bread

21 June 2025

The only thing that we wanted to do today was explore the Japanese Tea House in Golden Gate Park. We’d read that it was best to get there early, so we set off down Haight St at 8am. The only people really out and about were the homeless, sleeping in doorways or having a smoke. From what we saw, San Francisco does try to help these people. Just the night before we had seen two tables on the sidewalk giving away free burritos to a line of folks who had all their belongings in backpacks and bags.

It surprised us how crowded Golden Gate Park was on this Saturday morning. In one area, ball boys and girls (who were actually all adults) were being trained for a cup tournament. An army of volunteers were clearing, pruning, weeding, mulching and deadheading The National AIDS Memorial Garden. We stopped to speak to Diana, Ellen and their little dog Shorty as they worked. This cool, shady, peaceful garden means so much to them. They are honoring people they love by tending to it so lovingly.

The Shakespeare Garden was just down the path. We came across friends consoling one another. Read a loving Father’s Day card withering on a bench. Spoke to a lovely park litter- collector, who years ago gave up saving the things she finds.(There are just too many. She does often read them though.) The stage in front of the bust of The Bard would be a perfect venue for Emily and her company.

It was still early so there was no line to get into the Japanese Tea Garden. The very nice ticket seller recognized fellow lovers of the park (he was surprised we were from New Jersey. “You seem like Californians” he said. We were flattered). So he advised us that the three garden pass was really the way to go. It wasn’t an upsell.

Taking a table at the tea house we sipped hot sencha and genmaicha while enjoying the sunshine. We wandered through pagodas, down curving paths, across a stream filled with coy, and climbed a rainbow bridge. A mother and daughter from Arkansas (such lovely accents!) chatted with us about travel and photography (we always have great conversations with people carrying cool cameras!)

Across the street was the San Francisco Botanical Garden, where each section is dedicated to another part of the world. We picnicked in New Zealand! The Pohutukawa trees were in full bloom, just like they were in actual New Zealand when we were actually there exactly 18 months ago. As Mike and I relaxed in the sun we recalled the time back in the summer of 1990 when we did the very same thing.

The park had everything from redwoods to fountains to desert flowers to herbs. We strolled through it all and headed for The Conservatory of Flowers, where we watched Cinderella have her wedding pictures taken. Well, maybe it wasn’t Cinderella. But the bride, dressed head to toe in gleaming gold with a wide full skirt made for dancing, she surely looked like everyone’s favorite princess. I wished her every happiness.

The Conservatory itself was an indoor garden of tropical plants enthusiastically labeled with fun facts. Outside it was just one big party with countless little picnics. The abundant yellow Adirondack chairs being moved from place to place as the party ebbed and flowed. We bought ice cream from Fourik, a charismatic San Franciscan who admitted he’d rather be partying at the beach with his friends. I mean, who wouldn’t, right?

The way out of the park took us on John F Kennedy Dr, which is closed to traffic but open to bicycles going all kinds of speeds. A series of sculptures line the road, and at the entrance, a golden gate stands. There we got talking to Tony and Elise: hope you both had a GREAT time in the city!!

It was late afternoon and Haight Street was hopping. Music was being played in bars and on corners. The scent of patouli filled the air. Walls have been painted in rainbow hues. A local artist showed us his work, views of San Francisco in bright colors and shapes. There were several shops selling bright and flamboyant costumes (for drag, maybe?). I counted four, yes four, stores selling clothing and gifts from Nepal. And I am convinced that a large majority of vintage clothing in the country ends up right here.

A stop at the excellent Gus’s Market for more strawberries, before crossing the street for yet another order of the best hummus I have ever had. The cook kindly discussed his recipe with me,

Yes, it is great to be in The Haight.