~ Mark Twain
I've been thinking about "home" the last few months, since my last trip which was in December. Where is home? San Francisco, California is home. Although I've lived in three different continents, 3 different countries, and a total of 5 cities in a span of 38 years! I was born in the Philippines; I grew up in the United States, and now I'm living in Brazil. I've lived in: Quezon City, San Francisco, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Vitoria. And yet, dear friends, home is still in the Bay Area. With that said, I've been thinking about it! These days I've been thinking about Ocean Beach. I remember how at 15, I snuck out with high school friends to hang out at a bonfire. I remember at 16, running along the shore, jumping in, and taking some silly photos! I remember in my 20's numerous moments: hiking up Fort Funston, watching sunsets with friends, and even dinners at The Cliff House. One thing is constant in all these memories, the cold-chilly weather, the gray tint in everything, the fog! San Francisco beaches aren't really for swimming and getting a nice tan!
Now I'm in Vitoria, Espirito Santo, Brazil. Beaches abound, high temperatures, and beach culture. You'd think I would be at the beach more often. Life, alas, working long hours, 3 kiddos, and other responsibilities have made tans elusive! When I had time off in the past, I managed to find time to go to the beach. Beaches here are lovely for many reasons, not just due to perfect weather and the lovely landscape, but because of the people. Here, beaches are for everybody! It's for hot young people, toned, tanned, and beautiful. It's for old folks, wrinkled, sagging, yet still sporting speedos or bikinis! It's for mamas and poppas, with less than perfect figures! It's nice, no one cares. Everyone just wants to have fun and enjoy what nature has to offer!
It's been a while since I went to the beach and had a beach day. Tomorrow...perhaps?
Cheers! Lorena
Love and kisses from your auntie Marie😘
ReplyDelete