Whether its a summer BBQ with extended family, a nightly trip to a local ice cream parlor, or even watching your favorite football team on the weekend, almost everyone has some sort of tradition in which he or she partakes. But in this fast-paced world we live in, these regular rituals are slowly but surely disappearing. Nowadays, its not uncommon for work, jobs around the house, sports practices, or fatigue to get in the way of a previous commitment, sometimes ending a trend that had withstood the test of time. Which is why, when were all home, my closest friends and I make sure one tradition of ours remains alive and well.
It started as a fun idea that we had all wanted to try, but soon evolved into a full-blown routine with new additions every time it occurs. The tradition is as follows: one morning when we have all returned from our various adventures away from home, the five of us rise and shine bright and early, and head off to a previously selected location in San Francisco or the Marin Headlands. Once situated, we sit in the dark and watch as the sun peaks over Mount Diablo, and sneaks its rays into the Bay Area and downtown SF. After blinding ourselves for about 30 minutes or so, we get back into the car and head for Haight Street.
At this point, you might be thinking to yourselves: uh oh, five teenagers wandering around Haight Street after coming home from college? I dont want to hear the rest of this story. But innocence prevails in the end, so stay with me! On Haight Street, there lies a breakfast place by the name of Pork Store Café, with a specialty item called the Eggs in a Tasty Nest. There we indulge ourselves in eggs, hashed browns, peppers, onions, and cheese, until were ready to head back home and hibernate with a solid harvest in our bellies.
Besides a deliciously fattening breakfast and a sweet sunrise, this tradition of ours gives us a peaceful, intimate environment in which we can all catch up with each other. Often times when coming back from college, a job, or elsewhere, there are so many events shoved into a schedule, that it can be hard to see the people you want to in a quiet setting. It is the perfect way to hear everyones stories or developments, without the interruptions that we often face. Something that started off as a challenge to see if we could even accomplish it has turned into an annual tradition perfect for my group of close friends. As Phil Dunphy, star character in NBCs popular show Modern Family, advises, Try to see a sunrise at least once a day. You never really know what will come along with it.