In San Francisco, anything can happen when you leave your front door. It’s what I’ve loved most about growing up in the city: limitless possibility in the prism of the Golden Gate.
From impromptu poetry on Muni to guitar serenades on street corners, the city is rife with creative and unexpected encounters. Surely you’ve seen your share of iguanas and parrots assembled like royalty atop their owners’ shoulders (the unofficial sages of the city.) One time, I bumped into a woman taking her parakeet for a walk. In its cage!
“It’s good for Skittles’ immune system,” the owner told me.
All this creative energy and quirkiness that makes SF so singular won’t go away during the shelter-in-place order. It’ll just reshape itself indoors — and probably only be boosted by the beauty of boredom.
How do I know this? I am the sage parrot, my friends. I write to you from the future: a Bay Area transplant in Barcelona, Spain. Spain is a few days ahead of you in containment land. Our lockdown, however, is a bit more draconian. Only solo trips to the market, pharmacy, doctor, or work (if essential) are allowed.
We can’t venture on hikes like you lucky souls. Though dog owners can still take their pups for daily walks. (In case you‘re wondering, stuffed dogs don’t count. Though that didn’t stop this man in Palencia, Spain, from trying.)
Here in Spain, our limits have bred mini bursts of brilliance. In the past day or two, my local social video feeds have lit up with a universe of creative responses to our newfound restrictions.
All this creative energy and quirkiness that makes SF so singular won’t go away during the shelter-in-place order. It’ll just reshape itself indoors — and probably only be boosted by the beauty of boredom.
It’s not just the uplifting music pouring from terraces across Italy and Spain. It’s not only the DJs who have found new life delivering kick-ass balcony sets. (Though those have been awesome displays of defiant joy.) It’s so much more. It's a total redefinition of indoor life here in Europe. Inspired already? Below are a few examples to stir your inner creative cocktail.
Don’t have a dog? Play fetch with your pet bird.
Who needs a mountain to climb? Your kitchen cabinets work just as well.
Desperate for exercise in a cramped space? Flip your bike upside-down and pedal away.
Who knew that a stove could double as a DJ booth?
Want to swim but don’t have a pool? Pop on your suit and googles and plant yourself on your skateboard. Let the laps commence. (Err…you may want to wear a mouth guard)
Olympics at risk of being canceled? Create your own!
Have to take out the trash and you don’t have a mask or gloves? You can always pop on that dinosaur suit you have lying around.
You’re up next, San Francisco.
As Orson Welles said: “The enemy of art is the absence of limitations.” Lean into your limits while your enemies hibernate. I, for one, can’t wait to see what the Bay Area generates in the coming days.
