Description: Let me tell you that I never heard of the San Francisco Mall until this visit, and I sort of tripped on it. What kind of shopping center could they fit into this ordinary looking gateway? Ah, very smart indeed; it's vertical with circular escalators and I love it already. As I make my way down the entrance, I lean over the balustrade and see the food court; mmm I'm hungry, but I don't want food court victuals. But I'll take a picture. I run into
Chiasso for a few minutes and look at the latest "functional" gadgets. Cute and outrageous but definitely very SF. I see the word "Patisserie" and I let my eyes continue to wander in that direction. An elderly couple is sitting outside this cafe with enormous cups and that spells good news. I'm having lunch here.
Nordstrom's anchors this mall, and I always like to visit it for a good laugh. Everyone is so damn eager to make you part with your money. There was an exquisitely elegant saleswoman in the fragrance department (yes, I can't stay away from this stuff) and she must have been Iberian. Her hair was jet black and pulled back into a chignon; high cheek bones that rival those of Faye Dunaway and scarlet lipstick. She approached me and said to me in a heavily accented English: what can I do for you my lady? She was so unobtrusive and low pressure that I actually took the time to answer her. We talked about the cost of perfume oils and scented waters. She was still very gracious as I left empty handed.
After lunch, I walked to Powell, and I must have hit the bottom of the street, as there was a huge circle of people waiting for the trolley! I continued onto Powell and started recognizing the shops and up the street, I could see some of the hotels we had looked at the last time we were here. I went into a fragrance/souvenir shop and picked up a bottle of cologne for Chuck.
After which I was drawn to the DSW Shoe Warehouse . This place is also in New York, but it is pure whisky for an alcoholic. I spent at least 1-1/2 hours there looking at 700 pairs of shoes and sandals for women. Naturally, the greater the choice, the more indecisive I am. But I love looking and touching and examining the heel which on some is a disaster waiting to happen.
Then I see Walgreens,- did I mention that the water in San Francisco is absolutely vile? I linger there at the cosmetics, the colognes, the sale racks and I spot the water. Hurray...it's almost 4 pm, and my feet are in heavy protest. And is that Marshall's across the street from the Renaissance? In I go and browse at leisure; my daughter Michele is now 2 bras richer.
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