'Listening' At The Side Street Kitchen

My home in Novato is a short drive to Point Reyes Station and its Side Street Kitchen. I stop here regularly for coffee before I drive into the vastness of Point Reyes. Back in the 1980s when I began stopping at this little town, it was another forgotten, down at the heels, heaven for drugs and alcohol lifestyles. Now its a tourist destination, especially on weekends, when it is overloaded with cars from San Fransisco. The town has a couple of restaurants, a few galleries and assorted shops. It really is only two blocks long but hosts an overload of SUVs and groups of walkers. Nothing here really to see or do so the restlessness is nonstop.

Meanwhile, I sit at the Side Street Kitchen with my coffee, chat with Carl, and wait for SUV gridlock. After awhile we drive into the park. Some hours later Carl and I are back at Side Street for a late lunch and maybe more coffee. I wonder why Point Reyes Station has become a destination? Why are all these people here? When will they move on to Marshall or Bolinas?

I recall a lunch in a little town about ninety minutes from Cusco. It was market day and I was seated at a long communal table next to two of my teachers. Everyone was speaking Quechua and none of it was interpreted for me. I was simply enjoying my lunch, enjoying the day and happy to be off my horse. I liked the food, the bright high altitude sun and the crisp air. The atmosphere was festive and relaxed. Oddly, a shinny, big windowed tour bus pulled up at the edge of the market. Its windows were closed against the dust of the dirt road. No one stepped off the bus. Inside everyone had moved to the market side of the bus to take photos of the locals while the bus motor continued to drive the air conditioning. So I left my place at the table, walked over to the bus and knocked. Nothing happened. Then I signaled for the tour to come out as I mouthed the word “lunch.” Again the bus door remained shut but now I was being photographed.. The bus had been at the market long enough so it was time to drive on. How long was the bus at the market? Maybe five or ten minutes. Where did it go next in its restlessness? Machu Picchu or maybe back to Cusco or maybe….

Summer is approaching so Point Reyes Station is getting more crowded now with restlessness.

5/2719