Merry Christmas - Castro Style!

Merry Christmas from the Castro!!! I will blog on the subject of the Castro extensively later I am sure...

But I'll say this - the Castro is the singlemost gay-wonderful place I have ever been. It trumps Amsterdam, New York, Provincetown and any other "gay" place I have been. It was nothing short of amazing... It was also very moving - yes I know you are saying "How can a bunch of trendy shops, restaurants and "toystores" be moving?"

When I was taking the streetcar into the neighborhood I knew immediately that I was getting close to the Castro... gay pride flags line the city lightpoles - no boring corporate ads like in DC but big GAY rainbow flags EVERYWHERE. Hop off the streetcar and you are suddenly surrounded by every walk of life but it seems like everywhere people are smiling, holding hands, kissing and being good to each other. And all types - bears, dykes, preppies, otters, lipsticks - hell even heteros with baby strollers. Add a gorgeous winter day (with temps in the high 60s and sunny!) and it really seemed like a dream.

But the thing that made me almost burst into joyful tears? (For some reason I have been extra sappy lately... must be the holidays) A looked up and saw a sign for a restaurant that seemed to say it all (I took a picture which I will post later since I don't have my USB cable). Beneath a big rainbow painted simply on a wooden sigh it said the name of the restaurant:

"Welcome Home"

Indeed - Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays friends. Love to you all!