Walking. Biking. Being driven. Running.
Commuters approaching the SF Caltrain Station are arriving in their own choice of style.
I bike.
It is still dark. The air smells like the night that hasn’t finished yet. I can smell feces and urine on the side of the road as I descent through the famous Tenderloin neighborhood.
Most people try to go around it.
I cut through the heart of it.
People are crossing the street on a red light without looking.
There are still drugs to be bought. Debts to be collected. Issues to be resolved.
Everyone’s watching, while you are not.
On the road to the station, my path crosses with other like minded professional conformists.
All trying to reach point B within the desired time.
I have reached the station and am 10min early.
I drop off the bike at the Bike shop and now am walking towards the train.
On the platform every step is enjoyed by being present of my surroundings.
I smell the air.
Feel every step as my shoes touch the pavement.
I look left and right.
To my left there is a fence.
On the other side there are several tents.
Their owners and occupants are sitting outside.
The burning smell is undeniable.
Our coffee that gets us from point A to point B in the morning, is their high. Is their Kryptonite. Crack.
Everyone’s watching, while they are not.
It is nothing more than a glimpse, only if we look past our phone screens.
Yet, it is undeniably real.
There is no judgement.
There is no love.
The empathy and compassion, my fellow travelers are saving for their pets at home.
That is another reality.
Who’s watching this time?
Everyone but you, and me.
