10 years ago the 16 years old Tasya visited San Francisco. To be honest I didn't remember much of it besides the beautiful foggy weather and how artistic the city was. I adore the streets and the old typical San Francisconian houses. I spent some time with my host family, did a self-guided walking tour around all the tourist places, and it was charming. I remember I fell in love with San Francisco right away.

On our last day, we had dinner nearby our hotel in Marin county and went to Pacific Catch (Not sure tho, I couldn't remember the name of the restaurant) and then the waiter, a girl in his 20s told us a story about how she moved by herself to San Francisco to live her life and just happened to work there. It's expensive, but hey she is making money and living her life. I... I didn't remember the rest of the conversation but I remember her clearly and how I felt inspired and told myself; it's possible to move out and live here in SF. Just like this girl! I will come back one day. I promise myself but I didn't really tell anyone.

Fast forward 10 years later, I visited the USA for my host sister's wedding. I planned a 30 days trip around Utah and the Pacific Northwest, California, and I strategically ended the trip in San Francisco (First; it's definitely cheaper to fly out from SF, Second; I remember my love for the city). I didn't know anyone but the people were so welcoming that it was possible to make friends. I started the trip watching a Toro Y Moi concert—a very niche concert I'd say—the people that are watching Toro Y Moi were mostly cool SF peeps and it's easy to make friends with people who listen to artists that you like. 

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I accepted that some people are just meant to be your friend at some point in your life. It's sad, but I embrace it. I have accepted that now I don't talk to most of the people I knew in Utah (Other than my host family). With that mindset, I made friends, met people, and toured the country wearing my heart on my sleeve. And I saw the city that I once love, loving me back. 

Yes, it's not the safest city in the country—it's probably the most dangerous one. Yes, I am now broke because I had to book hotels last minute and it cost me A LOT. Yes, I thought I made real genuine friendships there but they don't really talk to me anymore after I got back home (this sucks). But honestly, I cannot let it affect my personal relationship with San Francisco.

My late-night Trader Joe's errand. My Uber trips around the city before meeting people. My walks to the port and lunch with myself. My tiny hotel Downtown and my huge room in the Hostel. My impromptu Warriors parade watching. My conversations with random strangers. The car crash that almost hit my Uber. My big smile when I discovered people that I adore on the internet live here in this very city. I thank myself that I opened myself to these experiences.

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On my last day, a friend invited me to his house for dinner with his roommate and his other guest. I didn't remember whether he said this on that night or the previous night but it was something like "will you remember this moment in the future?"

I didn't answer him or maybe I gave him a very cliche answer. But now that I think of it, I would definitely stop remembering the detail—just like my memory of the girl from Pacific Catch. But I will remember how he made me feel, how the other people made me feel, how the weather made me feel, and how I was feeling warmth in my stomach just by thinking about SF. Even though in reality it's cold AF even though it's the beginning of summer.

I don't know really. The idea of living in a city that you love in some other part of the world is definitely jarring. These people that I met are mostly not native San Franciscans. They used to live somewhere but they decide to move there.

Maybe not move to SF, maybe some other cities.. Those European ports, those East Coast cities.. IDK, all of these charming waterfront cities. I remember being in love with Tangier as well, and who knows Barcelona perhaps? I have not visited that one but it's on my to-love list. haha.

Btw this is a nice song about San Francisco. Emile Mosseri redid the arrangement. I love this.