|
 | San Francisco Areas to Avoid Reviews | Tips 41 - 50 of 70 |  |
 | |  |  | Areas to Avoid: avoid the tenderloin | |  |  | |  |
| | | | Areas to Avoid: stay OUT of the Tenderloin | | | | | |
| | | | Areas to Avoid: Visitacion Valley - It's Frightening (Part II) | | | | | |
(continued from Part I) I had known that I would probably pass through some rough ‘hoods on the way South out of the City. I got on the bus because thinking of my destination – the safe Westlake District in Daly City – was like seeing the light in the end of the tunnel. I was prepared to weather a rough ride as long as I knew I’d end up in a safe place. Now things turned awry. I was moving deeper into unwelcoming neighborhoods, and there was no way out. I felt that chilly feeling in my stomach. The bus driver, a staunch black woman, advised me to change to bus 15 to get to the closest BART station (Balboa Park.) She said she’d let me know. She seemed to be friendly, but because of her unfamiliar accent, I wasn’t 100% sure I understood everything she said. But I had a solution now, and it was calming. I returned to my seat next to the driver’s compartment and stared into the window. I was in control of my fear, following the golden rule No. 1: Don’t Let On. Then I thought of an alternative solution: why don’t I catch the same bus in the opposite direction? If I’m lucky, I’d be able to jump from bus, minimizing the wait on San Bruno Avenue. At the next stop I saw a 9 pulling up in the opposite direction. I went for my alternative, darting out the door, across the avenue… only to see the bus pulling off. I waved at the driver energetically, but he pretended not to see me, leaving me alone on the sidewalk. It was terrible, as if the last straw was taken away from a drowning man. The street had open businesses – not the worst scenario – but it was seedy, even in that bright afternoon. A gas station, a freeway entrance… I knew very well that I didn’t belong. That was a very uncomfortable feeling. Stay or go towards the next bus?? All those thoughts flashed through my head in seconds, interrupted by a honk. Yes, my driver was calling me! I rushed back into my bus. “It’ll be faster on the 15,” she said. I nodded, thinking “Ma’am, yes ma’am! How grateful I am to you for saving me!” Leave a Comment Other Contact: gls@sonic.net
|
 | |  |
|
|
San Francisco
on August 24, 2002
on August 24, 2002
on August 26, 2002
on July 2, 2004
on August 30, 2002
on February 24, 2006
on August 24, 2002
on August 8, 2006
on August 24, 2002
