6th and Market is full of stories
My experience of San Francisco is not restaurants and cafes only or the people I know or have come to meeet. Serendipity and conversations, or eavesdropping, or conversation: speculating on the bus about where everyone’s going; all that is about your relationships with other citizens, whatever level of active engagement you choose.
I enjoyed just walking the two blocks up 6th Street from where I parked on Mission to Market where I was meeting my friend for lunch at her office building, the publishing company Wiley’s, which handles the “For Dummies” series among other books. On the way up the street I had several interesting conversations, life stories, pitches, requests for dollars or change, explanations, justifications; these turned to philosophical discussions because that’s where I push it. I met some amazing people. Everyone’s autobiography is fictional, and everyone has one.
Joe, from Florida, tattooed all over, young and be-earringed, discussed his dreams. He is a dancer, and thinks of becoming an actor, and complains that every job he applies for demands experience. He doesn’t have experience; he needs experience. He has other experience and thinks it is just as valuable. His art is the main thing. He can’t do it in Florida, not really. The city – the big city – he is straight, he just wants me to know that, but you do what you have to do. Joe and I walked together. He also believes he can “be somebody”. What does it mean for me to say “we are somebody?” Twenty dollars would be more useful than that. But sometimes, just listening to the story; as long as that isn’t wasting his time. A bit further down the block, Jake showed me his just-got-out of jaiil bracelet and his release papers and explained how he has nothing. We agree that everyone should be free. I could certainly talk with him for hours.
I resolve to walk up and down this street someday soon, asking for people’s stories and permission to post them.
Everyone is interesting, when you ask. I’m just saying.
I so totally agree. These are, by far, 2 of my favorite blocks in the city. I have the good fortune of being able to walk to work. And make a point of taking in these 2 blocks back and forth every weekday. The people-watching is amazing. There is always something going on, or someone to muse about what his or her story is.
I respectfully disagree. These attributes you mentioned, in a high majority, are just props. Props which, at the end of the day, will hopefully get these people a little income instead of having a real job. I do agree that everyone has a story, but to romanticize failure does not a great story make. I’ve had the bracelet, the papers, and have done a fair amount of service with people of the same ilk and when I walk down 6th street, one of the lower points in the city, and see the same things on different faces every day it makes me want to help the people rather than lend an ear which, to me, just exacerbates the problems. Thanks!
There are indeed many stories on 6th street and SOMA in general. Many sad stories. I lived on mission at 6th for a year, then for another year on mission and 8th. Living in that neighborhood, you’re forced to read all of those sad stories and it’s depressing. So many lost wandering souls.
Nothing like walking over a homeless person weeping in a sleeping bag on your way to your car in the morning.