It’s not that I haven’t heard my fair share of cheesy folk songs, nor that I haven’t more than traveled my share (and then some) of the world in my rarely-ending quest to seek out what’s great, brilliant, worthy and wise but, in this case, it’s that I went to San Francisco. And because I went there, well, I just had to wear flowers in my hair.
I’m writing this article after a long day touring this crazy town, sitting on the balcony of my family-centric Hotel Del Sol, thinking about what it means to travel as far as I am wide. What can I say, I’ve got me some frequent flier miles and I just can’t say no to a second helping of custard… get it; that’s why I’m wide? Oh never mind.
But the old folk song told me that, if I was sure to go to San Francisco, I should likewise be sure to wear flowers in my hair. It was good advice, I heeded it, it served me well, but I felt terrible for my dearest brother Patrick, who has no hair to speak of.
“Pasheek,” I said (as that’s the best I can call him based on my current degree of articulation) “flowers…in… hair!” But he didn’t because he couldn’t. Isn’t that unfortunate? I wanted him to join me in my San Fran hair decking follicle beflowering local assimilation, but his lack of hair put him off of it entirely.
Needless to say, wearing flowers in my hair (specifically in touristy areas) benefited me tremendously, and earned us numerous requests for business cards, contact information and photo opportunities, but all the while I felt at least a little bit bad about it all. Patrick is my very best older brother, and he’s got no hair, so is this no city for him?
Well, fortunately, it turns out that the whole flowers in the hair thing is no more than a suggestion, and one that’s ten to twenty lifetimes out of date (depending whether you measure it by my lifetime or that of my junior editor, Dominic.)
In short, should you visit the great golden gate of San Francisco (such as we did) take modest steps to wear flowers in your hair. If you can’t, however, due to such a factor as “having no hair” don’t refrain from visiting. You might be surprised how well you’re treated even without hair, even in a city that accoustically demands you put flowers in it.
Above – As sure as I’m sure I’m here, I’m sure I’m wearing flowers in my hair. Getting me to give them up, however, was a much more challenging matter.