Believe it or not I am still digesting the trip we took last autumn and winter to Japan, New Zealand and the Bay area. It was such an intense and closely packed time, and quite a long trip too. I am hoping to roll out a few photos from that time in the coming weeks. I'm happy enough in London but seem to be spending a lot of time on routine stuff and family matters. And babysitting. (That's just one of the twins really, below, with a mirror. I suspect that it is the kind of peaceful chilled twin she would like to have, instead of the one she really does have, who grabs all her stuff as he charges past at top speed.)
Anyway, these photos below are from late last November, and were taken coming down Nob Hill in San Francisco. I have never seen such a lot of selfie-takers! I could have photographed them for hours but didn't want to block the traffic!
The first time I visited San Francisco I was in my mid twenties, and in those days it still retained a lot of its hippie past - well, it was more recent in those days. You never knew if you were going to discover that your accommodation had communal composting toilets for instance (and yes, I am glad they've stopped doing that).
And nobody had even heard of selfies.
That's a sweet photo of one of the twins. I'm sure that she prefers her own congenial image rather than the rowdy reality of her brother.
ReplyDeleteBelieve it or not, I have never taken a selfie and have no desire to do so. Am I abnormal?? I haven't been to San Francisco in many years. I'm sure it has changed a lot since my last visit.
And I think the good thing about your own reflection is that it will smile if you like :)
DeleteHaha! I love the selfie-taker shots. It's a really strange social habit. I spend most of my time trying to AVOID being in photographs...
ReplyDeleteNever been to the place though I have wanted to, doubt I will now though. Cop those people useing an Ipad to get photos with, think its a bit larke myself
ReplyDeleteYoung people can have their selfies. Wait until they are my age, they won't be so keen!
ReplyDeleteLove the shot of one of the twins looking at the mirror. What must it be like to be a twin? They even have the same DNA...I watch too many crime shows. LOL>
Hee hee I empathise with you about that! :D
DeleteWhat a little cutie she is! And i'll bet her brother is cute, too, but such a blur as he runs past that he's hard to photograph.
ReplyDeleteMy parents took us to San Francisco back in the late 70's. It would be interesting to see how it's changed.
People who live there say it has become all techie and completely different. I never knew it well enough to tell, but it did seem less individualistic than I remembered on my early visit.
DeleteI love that picture of your granddaughter checking out herself. That is so much more adorable than the egocentric young people being obsessed about their selfies.
ReplyDeleteSan Francisco is one of my favorite places.
The first time I was in San Francisco we had returned from living overseas and had a reservation at some famous Italian restaurant that ate family style and was across the street from the Carol Doda stripper bar.
ReplyDeletehahahahahahI have been there such a long time ago,
DeleteI so dislike the selfie craze but I love the self image seen in the mirror. Children are so adorable.
ReplyDeleteJust a word about your comment on my blog... youngsters (as in younger adults) prefer to start up their own WIs and not mix with the oldies. It is an ongoing problem throughout and one we're very aware of. One of those things, unfortunately.
That is a pity. I wonder why it is?
DeleteThe twin is adorable. I don't understand selfies, hate having my picture taken. We're from the San Francisco Bay Area. San Francisco use to be one of my favorite cities, not so much any more, too smug.
ReplyDeleteYes, people say that to me too - I mean the ones who live there. I certainly noticed this in Palo Alto, which used to be a cool place but it is now just not interesting any more. Maybe I've changed too.....
DeleteBeautiful post :)
ReplyDeleteOh don't get me started on selfies!! Do people even look at them - they can't do, they take so many. And they spend so much time taking the wretched things they barely look at whatever it is behind them - grrrrrrrrrrrr.
ReplyDelete(sorry, rant over)
What an adorable little selfie to open with! I do believe you will have much to digest for a long time, it was a wonderful trip! I like this captures, the view is pretty and it's always fun to see people busy at capturing their own moments! Life is all about catching what we can, and keeping it close and well to share!
ReplyDeleteLove the mirror shot!!
ReplyDeleteI don't get out much, as you know. I had no idea people taking selfies could be so entertaining to watch. Seems so alien and fun--but do they ever take shots of the landscape or the town anymore? I do love to people watch. :)
I think they like to people watch too - themselves ! LOL
DeleteThat just about sums it up!
DeleteThe mirror photograph is adorable! She looks to very pleased to see herself. lol
ReplyDeleteI notice no 'selfie' from you!
ReplyDeleteI am not into selfies, especially when my niece was putting one up everyday....
My selfies are a bit scary .....
DeleteWonderful photo of one twin. Beautiful hair !
ReplyDeletecheers, parsnip
My wife and I had an apartment on Union Street in the mid 70's and the view from our tiny kitchen window was close to your view of Coit Tower. Love San Francisco.
ReplyDeleteI was glad to find the Exploratorium was still very much worth visiting.
DeletePrecious mirror shot. We live across the Bay but go to San Francisco quite often. Yes, it has changed but I still enjoy it. Selfies, even the word is childish to my ears.
ReplyDeleteDarla
LOL at your pictures of all the selfie takers! Love the photo of your granddaughter, it looks like she's having a serious talk with herself.
ReplyDeleteThose selfie takers are hysterical. I had the receptionist in my massage therapist's office try to teach me one day how to take a flattering one--something about tilting my chin! On a trip to San Francisco l25 years ago, we stayed at the San Remo near Fisherman's Wharf. With immaculate toilets and showers down the hall and a room overlooking a lively recycling center where street people exchanged cans for money, it was a fascinating visit in every way. I bought a short Japanese-style kimono robe to wear on the way to the showers
ReplyDeleteI wonder if there are any places like that any more.....
DeleteHello Jenny,
ReplyDeleteThe selfie ( hideous word) has really become the most ubiquitous part of daily and night life as one goes around town. People no longer talk to each other, preferring the company of their mobile telephones, but they always seem to want to picture themselves wherever they may be. What do they do with these images, we ask?
However, the mirror image is such a delightful photograph. Perfect!
Haven't been to SF in eons but it is such a great city. And I ADORE the baby-in-the-mirror. Cuter than absolutely anything!
ReplyDeleteI honestly can't think of a better way to spend your time than babysitting that little cutie. You are so so blessed.
ReplyDeleteShe really is cute! I am glad it is not just me being 100 percent biased in her favour...
DeleteThe second photo, the one below the cutie pie, gives me vertigo, It creates min me the urge to leap off of a high place. I lived for a while in SF back in the day...it was weird, Jefferson Airplane lives just down the street... they scared me.
ReplyDeleteI always thought Grace Slick was amazing though I think she would have scared me too.
DeleteI took my first selfie on a weekend break in Bruges with my husband last year - I'm afraid I'm hooked!
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that I've taken selfies too. Never one that I like, though!
DeleteTalk of selfies reminds me... I find it quite scary the way so many people with more up-to-date phones than me seem to spend such a lot of time stroking their screens, seemingly mesmerised by it's milky-white glow. It reminds me of various Dr Who story-lines I've seen, where the Doctor and his companion emerge from the Tardis to find themselves surrounded by humans all matter-of-factly obsessed with a technology cunningly foisted upon them by aliens, oblivious of its true purpose.
ReplyDeleteWhat a brilliant idea. I like it. And the blue glow that lights up their faces is definitely sinister, as they peer at their screens
DeleteArlynda finally let me take a selfie. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteWas it worth it, Jerry?
DeleteThere’s something zombie-like about those selfie-takers - even though they’re smiling. The twin, on the other hand, is delightful.
ReplyDeleteThat hilltop looks quite precarious. One wrong step and those selfie-takers could take a tumble. It's like a modern version of Narcissus waiting to happen.
ReplyDeleteA modern Narcissus - I like it. :D
DeleteI don't get the selfie obsession. I love the baby picture, though!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful trip you enjoyed!
ReplyDeleteHello Jenny,
ReplyDeleteA wonderful picture of the child, in love with his image. The i-pad has become very popular for travellers. As the Hattatt's asked "what do people do with all these selfies"?
Your images are great.
Helen xx
I'll never understand those who are addicted to "selfies"! I hate photos of myself...so I'll never become a "selfie" freak, that is for sure!
ReplyDeleteLooking in a mirror these days is enough to scare me!
I do love the photo of the bub, though. :)
Great shot of toddler and reflection. I have never had the rug to take selfies but I have noticed that they are all the rage.
ReplyDeleteThe photos are fantastic. I wish I could take pictures like that. What is a selfie?
ReplyDeleteSweet, sweet photo to start your post, Jenny! It's pretty hard to top a cute kid. I enjoyed seeing the selfie shots, so funny. My husband and I recently returned from Honolulu where selfie sticks were suddenly everywhere ~ don't remember them last year. It was funny to see people in the waves on Waikiki with their selfie sticks. Thanks for visiting my blog!
ReplyDeleteSuch fascinating letters in your blog! and thanks for returning the call :)
DeleteSelfies, yeah right and left everyone has a selfie stick.
ReplyDeleteThe baby's cuter than selfie makers :)
Kit is so cute! Talking of San Francisco, I remember Scott McKenzie’s “San Francisco” which was popular when I was a junior-high student, though I’ve never been to. The tourists with extendable handheld selfie stick increased drastically, much more than the time when you came to Japan. They are mostly from Asian countries. It’s useful as you can take photos in wider range but in the crowded places, the use of it is a little of trouble. Sometimes I feel people should know a manner in public.
ReplyDeleteYoko
Last (and only ) time I was there was in 1986! No selfies , but a great memory for me .. :o)
ReplyDelete