Ervan Valdez
Professor Forest
English 1010 75E
4/5/2014
My Hometown The most magnificent place to be, besides my bed, is San Francisco, California. The mixture of clean crisp air and air pollution, the gorgeous view atop the Coit Tower, and the taste of salt in the waters of the bay. It is Seven O’clock in the morning, the sun is starting to drag itself higher, shining the landscape, the scent of brewed coffee in every home and restaurant indicates the start of a beautiful day. People on their way to work, students on their way to school. For me, it’s exactly the memories and joy I experience when I am there that will always have a special place in my heart.
We moved to many districts in San Francisco, but the home I will always remember was in the city limits located in the middle of downtown Tenderloin. It was an old apartment with the exterior occupied by loiterers which smell of burned nicotine, and the aroma of liquor. We stayed on the 3rd floor of the apartment where I would play freeze tag with my friends in the spacious red carpet hallways, jump three steps up or down in the carpeted stairs, and sneak up to the grey painted roof, tossing rocks off to the distance. There was a parking lot in the back for tenant’s vehicles, sometimes used by the public to park for special events or enjoy the weekend nightlife. Before the sun starts to set slowly, we would have a pickup game of basketball in a rim secured on a plywood that’s also secured on a high fence about ten feet. We would play for hours until the sun disappears, moon glowing in the distance, and street lights flicking on. That was a hint for every one of us to go back, eat dinner, and call it a day. My mother would always lecture me about staying out all day during the weekends, doing my homework at the last minute while serving me one of her multiple amazing Filipino recipes. Here in Clarksville, and Fort Campbell the population and space is not so large limiting you to enjoy pleasures like those in San Francisco. In a way, it can be a little lonely, and I miss the feeling of excitement, the trill, and contentment when at home.
During winter season, it would rain constantly with the combination of freezing air which was the sign of the holidays. I took my long sleeve turtle neck out the closet along with a large jacket. I was ready to get bundled up for the cold. Downtown San Francisco would set up Christmas lights, colored paper snowflakes on street lamp posts, and the huge Christmas tree at Union Square. You can feel the spirit of Christmas every time you stroll around downtown. The smell of hot chocolate, gingerbread, the ringing of the silver bells and the soothing sound of Christmas songs being played around the city.
Winter break starts in the middle of December for school, and I was eager to get out of school and celebrate Christmas with my family. My great grandmother would always invite the whole family to her place on Christmas Eve before she passed away. It was also our time to get together and catch up. The excitement of seeing my cousins and enjoying the holiday playing outside in the freezing cold or inside where it’s warm is incomparable. The amazing food that was ready to be devoured by hungry little children and adults, from elegant delicacies to mouthwatering dishes. The games Secret Santa, trip to Jerusalem, and a quiz about how well we know Christmas were played before our great grandmother begins distributing presents to her great grandchildren. Christmas Day arrives and we drive to church for the Christmas Mass that’s always held early in the morning then we head back home to eat the left over from my great grandmother’s place that she prepared for us to bring. These memories will not be forgotten. When summer came around again, the beach was a popular place to be. Ocean beach was the destination for anybody, and going there was something I forward to every time coming back home. The smell of the salty sea tingled my nose as I breathed in a fresh cool breeze. The sand was soft, with a collection of many different sea shells. The sand was a bed of blankets and the way the sand flowed onto my feet and spaces between my toes made my heart pound like a drum beat. The huge blue waves fiercely speeding up towards me, cold as ice inviting me in, but I would just race back towards the area where the water won’t reach us. I came with friends or family, and there was always so much to do. Activities consisted of football, volleyball, playing in the sand, and so much more. Sometimes my family would have a picnic and we would grill and enjoy each other’s company. From all kinds of sandwiches, juicy hotdogs, and smoked oysters. Some nights, my friends and I would gather up for a bonfire under the gorgeous moon and stars. The charm of the beach itself is the perfect destination to relax, unwind and enjoy time either alone or with family and friends.
Before school begins in August, my friends and I would go biking or rollerblading from downtown to the Golden Gate Bridge. We would maneuver our way from the crowded sidewalks of downtown, go up steep hills, and descend the curves and winds of the famous crooked street to Lombard Street. Instead of going to the direction towards the Golden Gate Bridge, we always take the lengthy way around Union and Stockton Street. We continue our journey going towards the unpleasant odor of Chinatown and out to Pier 39 Fisherman’s Wharf. There we would make a brief visit to the resounding barking of sea lions and the very enjoyable old school arcade. The journey to our destination is almost complete. As we begin our final descent through Fort Mason and the beautiful Crissy Fields, the surroundings became really breathtaking and the fresh smell of grass. Finally we arrived at the legendary Golden Gate Bridge. Nothing is legendary about it without the visor wearing tourists, huge tour buses, and the seagulls of San Francisco. There’s this one spot overlooking the clear blue waters to the right, people and vehicles to the left, and the Golden Gate Bridge right in the middle. It’s the view that gives me a reason to come even if it takes a long and winding journey to get there.
One of my favorite things to do back home during the start of my day is to take a jog in one of my favorite places, Lake Merced. It’s a big round lake surrounded by trees, a park in the middle, and a golf course for people who want to take a swing or more. Every morning entering, a slight breeze rustles the leaves making them fall to the solid ground one by one. The sun begins to ascend slowly, while birds whistle, and cars starting. The pathway is a cemented trail with a small dirt littered trail on the right where only one person can fit. The ground, moist from the night before because of the famed fog of San Francisco, causes joggers to slip, keeping us on our toes. Many morning people are always there, fellow joggers breathing the fresh morning air or just out and about. Whenever I reach the mile in a half marker, I stop and sit on a green bench, to catch my breath, or just enjoy the scenery of the lake full of ducks and gooses. Sometimes in the morning the fog is so thick it destroys the visibility, but it doesn’t stop me from doing what love to do. As the end of the jog nears, my mind is refreshed and my body is energized for the day. Lake Merced is beautiful in many ways, but the beautiful morning run can make all the difference.
Ever since joining the military and leaving home, I haven’t had a chance to relive some of these memories. Everybody is growing, more responsibilities, and having their own family. I will always be a kid at heart when coming home. When opportunities come, I will definitely take advance of it. No matter where I go, San Francisco will be home in my heart. No matter my age, San Francisco holds some of the most memorable and cherishing parts of my life.