Traveling is a beautiful way to open the mind to the possibilities of the self, and there is no better reflection of the self than the modern city and its boundless collage of places, people, images, and above all - ideas. It may be difficult to fathom for the cosmopolitan traveler, but the wonders of the great American cities are re-asserting themselves as front-runners in the movement of modern culture. Fresh encounters with some of the better-known cities of the United States today alerts one to the fact that "the city" has made a comeback in this preponderant country. Stay tuned to the rolling monologue of weekend city trips and work-a-day tales. The story goes from New York to Miami to San Francisco, in contrast to upcoming travels in London and Paris...
There is a certain energy that winds through the office near happy hour on Friday late afternoon, like the feeling of the last few minutes of school before summer break. The work is done for the week, the bags start to pack with computers and pens and notebooks, and people start to smile again. Sometimes, there is actual laughter in the office.
Outside, the sun is shining in San Francisco today. The bay sparkles something special, if one can avoid the snarled traffic painting the bridges. For me, this is no worry - I walk home, through the Financial District and down Columbus Street through the middle of North Beach. I know I am close to home when I hear the Powell-Taylor cable car clanking down the hill, last stop headed for Fisherman's Wharf at the base of Bay Street.
Now, it is Friday late afternoon; my bag is packing with its own pens and notebooks (soon, computer too). I am smiling as well. I can feel happiness soon to think of the sun at my back walking past Vesuvio ...
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