As I was picking myself off the floor at San Francisco airport today after a nasty fall, I wondered how I could have walked all over San Francisco this week without a wobble, yet I couldn’t walk through the airport without falling on my face. I decided I would blame it on the over-sized (a.k.a collossal) manuals I was carrying back from the training class I attended. I walked around all week with my San Francisco essentials (laptop, scarf, jacket, coffee ) and there was no falling down. Today the only difference was the extra load in my bag. It is possible that my shoes were to blame, but they are very comfortable Dansko.
Maybe I could blame an earthquake for my fall? Could the earth have moved below my foot causing me to lose my balance? I was thinking back to previous trips to the Bay area and maybe this area just makes me klutzy overall. I remember a trip from several years ago where I was walking along a sidewalk with a friend. We were talking and I must not have been paying attention then I walked right into a sign. Falling on my face, walking into signs, maybe all these are signs that it is time to go home or that this place makes me klutzy! During my walks around San Francisco this week I was reminded that it is one of the few cities in the US where you don’t need (or want) a car. Unless you want to leave the city a car isn’t needed (why would you leave, it has everything you need?).
Being in San Francisco reminded me of my trips this year to Israel and Italy. Being in a city is a completely different experience from the country or the suburbs. I like it. I felt like it is one of the few cities I could actually feel comfortable living in. Besides my falling, this trip was great! I like the cool ocean air, the energetic vibe of the city, and of course an excuse to walk through all of it! I remember as a kid my grandmother always asked, “Does anyone want to go for a walk?”. I always said, “Yes”. I am still saying, “Yes”. Whether it walking in the mountains around Phoenix, the Tuscan hillsides, the beach in Bat Yam, or the hilly streets of San Francisco I am still saying,” Yes, I want to go for a walk.” No fall on my face will keep me from walking, even if it is with a limp and a bruise on my knee. Where do you like to walk?
Quirky Contemplation 
When I was walking to the train station in Krakow last summer I had my big backpack on my back and flip-flops on my feet. I always travel in flip-flops without problem, but unfortunately- for the first time in my life- the floppy part of my flip-flop became wedged under a stair that I was walking up (really- who designed those stairs?!) and then I flopped- head first- down onto the ground. The weight of my backpack moved forward above my head, so I was stuck to the stairs at my feet AND at my head, with my butt in the air and a backpack on my back. I couldn’t wedge my flip-flop out and I couldn’t right myself up. I ended up having to roll over sideways before I could right myself! Talk about embarrassing!
What a sweet rememberance of nana. How she loved to walk and pick up the trash on the side of the road. People use to call her auntie litter. Oh how I miss her. She would be so proud of you for all that you have become and done .