The sky was a ghastly gray with a nimbus moon darting between the clouds casting quick shadows on the participants of a foreboding night scene.  My friend and I had just left a favorite haunt to make the quick jaunt to another bar.  There was an oppressive heaviness in the air with dark fears looming up inside me; a feeling not unfamiliar but one which I had confined to the deepest caverns of my being.

Every few steps one of the beggars would seek a coin or cigarette; another few steps and a street girl would tug my shirt sleeve with mischievousness in her eyes; and, intermingled with these obstacles were the men leaning against the walls in deepest shadows whispering “Cocaine?” and the barkers screaming solicitous welcomes into darkly lit bars.

WOW, North Beach in San Francisco is really scary.  I can’t wait to get back to the zona where I feel safe!  Anyone going to be there Thursday/Friday?