Tag Archives: Photo Essays

DESIGN, TRAVEL

Ten ways the San Francisco MOMA made me weak in my knees and fall in love at first sight!

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It is quite a disservice to any museum, but especially one as rich (defining rich here not just by the collections, but the thinking that went into the design) as the San Francisco MOMA to pick just a few things as highlights.  Isn’t beauty in the eyes of the beholder? What holds appeal to me may not be “the” thing that attracts another person. However, given that this was love at first sight, I can’t help but gush about a few things that struck me. So here in no particular order, is a photo essay (with captions) capturing how the SF MOMA wooed me over.

The magnificent Richard Serra sculpture “Sequence” set up beautifully.
Ever get lost in museums trying to find a collection? Prime real estate on elevator doors gets converted into guide maps!
You may not be able to catch the “Scream” but there are plenty of other ways to get to know Edward Munch.
The fluid way in which the wavy wall meets the lit up ceiling.
The dramatic entrance that invites you to fall in love at first sight.
Céleste Boursier-Mougenot’s floating porcelain bowls are a sight to behold and music to the ears!
Coffee anyone?  Only a museum can arrange the accompaniments like the perfect still life composition.
I don’t remember being this excited to go to the bathroom!  Each floor is done up in a different bold color.
The multitude of windows with views.
It was the day of the total solar eclipse and I was so fortunate to have the opportunity to ponder the universe!

Pick up all you need to know about the SF MOMA here.

FOOD

Lunch at the much talked about Tartine Manufactory in pictures and prose

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To me, travel and food are one of the most exciting couples around.  They are one of those rare, precious, giving duos that in tandem have filled my life with some of its most precious, memorable moments!  And with all due respect, I rarely think of one without the other.

On a recent trip to San Francisco, it was only natural for me to think of the places I wanted to experience on the food scene.  Tartine Manufactory bubbled up to the top of that list.  A place that started off with more humble beginnings as Tartine Bakery, now has a chic, light filled, industrial outpost as well where bread is baked and meals are served.  The teaser here is that bread is available after 10:30 am till it is sold out!

True to its calling, the place serves up the most delicious bread and baked goods.  But I was also pleasantly surprised with the creativity displayed in the salads on the menu.  As a party of six, we sampled an assortment of items.

Let’s start with the basics.  The bread served with butter that contains specks of salt crystals is to die for.  The grilled cheese is buttery perfection on the outside with a creamy, veggie concoction on the inside.  And what’s not to like about the roasted eggplant flatbread? The most pleasant surprise came in the form of a tomato and stone fruit salad.  Surprise, because this was a bread place and delight because it was the perfect amalgamation of flavors and attractiveness that left me smiling from ear to ear.

Here are pictures from our lunch.

You too can get inspired by their menu.  Have you eaten at either the bakery or the Manufactory? If so, what were your favorites?

TRAVEL

Walking the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco; A Photoessay

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She is an undisputed beauty, one that has been a constant presence in welcoming me with her outstretched arms from up in the air and down on land, during my many visits to San Francisco.  So, it was just a matter of time before I showed my respect and gratitude by arriving at her doorstep.

With family ensconsed in the area and more frequent visits, it was time to propel this iconic visit to the top of my bucket list.  So on a beautiful August morning, armed with just the right amount of Golden Gate Bridge tips, we ubered it over to the South End of the bridge.

She is a beauty up close for sure.  Yes, all those jaw dropping pictures of her, omnipresent across social media are real! And she is indeed proof of being one of those perfect places where the marvels of engineering meet the gifts of nature.

The books and websites caution you to keep aside several hours to traverse her length and to turn back halfway if you don’t have enough time.  My personal take? Please don’t turn around.  Please take the time to walk the entire length of the Golden Gate bridge.  As you can see from the pictures below, this is “THE” way in which you can marvel at the wonder and beauty created by the juxtaposition of one of the most beautiful man-made objects set against the jaw dropping beauty of the city of San Francisco.  There are some beautiful pictures to capture here, but if you are not carrying a spare battery for your phone, you may want to space your picture-taking along the walk.

We took our time, pausing to admire the views, staring intently at the power of the cables holding the bridge and of course soaking in the conversations and energy from families, intense joggers and laid back bikers sharing our walk.  It was a beautiful experience, almost surreal, and I hope I was able to transmit the feelings of contentment and gratitude to the icon who has been a constant on my visits to the area.

We’d love to hear about your most memorable bridge crossings on foot, bike and beyond!