A new beginning with California

My affair with California has just begun...as of now too little to say and too much to hope for. There are lots of pages to be read to know the city well and lots of experiences to gather which hopefully would capture my heart endlessly. My first sweet heart would always be Chicago though but many a times the last matters more than the first. So I am hoping that the Bay Area would have that everlasting and meaningful effect on me and carve that permanent soft spot in my heart !
Life introduced me to San Francisco and the Bay Area a long while ago only to be interrupted by a long absence that fate planned for me only to return again after long years to start where I left off last time. So the story with the Bay Area resumed after a long gap. In the past, I did not have enough time to discover the place for all that it has to offer me. But now I hope that in time the beauty of the city and it's attractive culture as well as way of life would mesmerise me. It remains to be seen if it's magic would affect my life greatly too.
As I was saying to a friend, a new city and a new surrounding has so much to offer and a great cultural adventure is definitely in store for me I believe. But with new beginnings come great challenges as well which would have to be met with. Through it all, I rely on the strength within me to accept a new city with all that it is and with all that it comes. One has to accept a new city in every way possible to make one's moments the most memorable ones. I am told that I must give the Bay Area a fair chance and so I will ! I am yet exploring the places in the Bay Area to decide if this is the destination for me and where I would eventually like to settle but my heart asks if it would really be the Bay Area for me. The Bay Area has always been the most popular choice and the first choice of many.
The Bay Area is crowned with natural beauty and cultural diversity. The jewel in the crown is it's ability to warmly accept various cultures and religions which makes it all the more fascinating for all to give it a try and start their journey here in America or retire here in the end. It is a great place to raise a family as everyone keeps saying. I am often told that I would fall hopelessly in love with the place. Definitely I should hope so but my affair with the city had just begun...And as is the case in every new relationship, I take every step with caution even if I am enthralled by it's beauty. As I stood across a hill there looking at the clouds descend on the opposite hill and the skies embracing the pastel shades of the evening, I wondered what my relationship would be with this city in times to come. Would it be a deep one or just a fleeting interaction on my journey to another place ? Whatever it may be, I decided to really enjoy that moment that day sometime last week reflecting on all that I had seen of this place as of then.
I visited the all famous and historical University of Berkeley which was alive with so much positive energy, talent and excitement. It was absolutely marvellous to visit the Bay Street in Emeryville for shopping at this time of the season particularly. There is this gigantic Christmas tree already there adorned with glittering decorations as it seems to beckon people to hear beautiful hymns. I just loved this musical Christmas tree at Bay Street even though I had seen much more beautiful ones in Chicago's White Christmas. On many a sunny days, I enjoyed the quietness and peace of the Bay street lined up with fashionable stores and restaurants on both sides. The street hosts various fine restaurants of different types of cuisines. I fondly remember my visit to Walnut Creek too and I loved the atmosphere there and enjoyed window shopping there. Needless to be said that the Silicon Valley area is also a source of curiosity to many and I too went there. Again Fourth Street is another beautiful and fashionable place to visit. Downtown San Francisco was great too and the China town there. In the coming days Napa Valley is on my list as well as Monterey Bay.
I have visited many famous Mexican, Indian, Italian, Chinese and Japanese restaurants and would be talking about them. What I like about the Bay Area is that the emphasis is on using local and organic ingredients in cooking at homes and restaurants.
My cultural and sightseeing adventure has just started and more is yet to come ! As of now I am sharing my initial notes of this lifetime trip.