文/Wendy周

22歲那年，帶著對時尚的狂熱與對世界的好奇，一個城市接著一個城市旅行，也開始了我的碩士生涯，舊金山、紐約、伊斯坦堡、羅馬、巴黎………destination在台北，希望和讀者分享我的世界地圖，每一個文化驚奇和語言衝擊！

The minute you set foot in San Francisco, you’ll know it’s a city with strong personalities. First of all, the country's first Chinese immigrants came to San Francisco in 1848. You can easily spot Chinese influences in the city. Also, it is well-known for having an enormous gay community. Another thing people find it very interesting is that San Francisco is a small reflection of the world out there. One minute you’re walking down the street with the world’s top brand retail shops next to you, next minute you’ll find a shelter for the homeless with a long line awaiting for accommodations. Drive across the Bay Bridge to an old navy-based island called Treasure Island, and you’ll get the most amazing view of the city. It is a city full of extreme contrasts, yet San Franciscans all have something in common- finding the art of living.

Set foot in: 到一個地方去

Example: Most people who live in Taipei have never set foot in the Taipei 101 Observation Deck to see the view of the city.

Spot: 看到

Example: I spot my favorite PDA at once when I walked into the store.

San Franciscan Craziness - Are you game?

霧濛濛、冷颼颼足以形容舊金山一年11個月的天氣吧! 位於北加州的這個城市，沒有熱情的陽光照耀著，只有極盡過生活的一群狂熱份子，用他們對藝術、對音樂、對舞蹈、對美食、對建築、對服裝、對金融、對科技的熱誠，感動每個走入舊金山的過客。There are a lot of craziness happening in the city, are you game?

第一次看到are you game? 可不要嚇到想說人家幹嘛問你是不是個遊戲?這句話的意思是你有興趣嗎?

Example:

A: I am going to dinner with my friends, do you want to come?

B: Sure, I’m game.    

舊金山一年中有許多遊行活動，例如Love Fest、Bay to Breakers、San Francisco Pride在活動中，瘋狂崇尚自由的San Franciscans打扮的有如萬聖節一般在遊行活動中展現自我、追求自由，向世界宣示舊金山精神-Freedom。

Love Fest: It is now the largest electronic music event in America. It occurs annually in San Francisco in late September to early October. People parade down

目前是全美最大的電子樂音樂節，在每年的九月底到十月初間在舊金山舉辦一次，人們沿著市中心主要的街道遊行，然後在市政府前開始狂歡。

Bay to Breakers: It is an annual footrace which takes place in San Francisco on the third Sunday in May. Large numbers of participants walk the route behind the runners. Some participants dress in elaborate costumes or wear nothing at all, thus giving a party atmosphere to the event.

Bay to Breakers 是一年一度五月的第三個星期日在舊金山舉辦的賽跑比賽，許多穿著誇張或完全沒穿的群眾會走在參賽者後面，因而賦予這場活動狂歡的氛圍。

San Francisco Pride: It is a parade held in June each year in San Francisco to celebrate the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered people and their allies. It is one of the most famous and best-attended pride parades in the world.

同志遊行是每年六月在舊金山舉辦來幫女同性戀者、男同性戀者、雙性戀者、變性同好們慶祝的一場遊行，是全世界最出名也最多人參與的同志遊行。

看完這些舊金山當地的特殊節目，are you game?