Thirty years ago Sunday Streets started in Bogota, Colombia as Ciclovía, a day to promote free health and community oriented events. The concept spread around the world and now San Francisco enjoys pre-determined Sundays throughout the year when major streets are closed to car traffic. Pedestrians and cyclists plus vendors take over. The local businesses flourish with increased foot traffic.
citisven and kimoconnor invited me to join them yesterday for the Sunday Streets that closed part of Valencia and 24th Street in the Mission. After an hour stuck on a delayed BART train I finally made it to the city. I texted updates every few minutes to Kim and Sven. My final text was to order me a glass of chardonnay so I can slug it upon arrival. My dear friends obliged and one was waiting when I arrived!
citisven and kimoconnor waiting patiently for me
SFKossacks Represent: kimoconnor, citisven and myself navajo
We chatted and people-watched for a while and then hit the street.
The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence or copycats are always a huge presence
Love it!
:: More than 70 photos below ::
A gigantic Saint Bernard getting his portrait done
Now that's a camera!
kimoconnor's neighbor with his famous rickshaw
Are we in San Francisco or what???
Yarn play for the kids
Explique s'il vous plaît
I think he kept the last rainbow Mohawk for himself
All the folk walking in the streets and the children riding their decorated bikes were great fun to see. But what really captivated me were all the pre-existing murals in the Mission.
Well, and this dog...
kimoconnor and citisven with a typical San Francisco utility box in the Mission
One of the oldest murals here
There were many street bands
Loved this street:
Back to the murals:
So many statements at every mural. This one hit home. The bodies and blood of Indigenous peoples are the terroir of California's bounty.
500 Years of Resistance
kimoconnor and citisven at Florida and 24th Streets
citisven offered to take a photo of me, navajo
With hindsight... I shoulda' bought this tee shirt:
"AMERICA: LOVE IT OR GIVE IT BACK"
Speaking of tee shirts, Sven had an awesome one: Octopi Wall Street
So swell that a stranger stopped him to photograph it
And hey, the guy had figs
Sven got a hankering for street tacos!
Mmmmm... carne asada accoutrements!
Oh yeah... that's what I'm talking about...
Back to the murals, these are on a famous street called Balmy:
500 Years of Native Survival
1492 - 1992
kimoconnor snapping some new piece of art
THIS:
kimoconnor's photo, lol
no words...
I love the Mission.
And finally, a symbolic vote station for the election that was held yesterday in Mexico