A journey ends
San Francisco, CA, March 2007 [Click to enlarge]
I like to look at - and take - pictures that have little mini-stories embedded within them (see here and here for similarly-themed images.) A photo, after all, shouldn't be just a simple and static picture. Rather, it should provoke thought, stimulate discussion and inspire action. We should come away from the experience changed in some basic way, no matter how small.
So as I strolled alongside San Francisco's ferry terminal in the shadow of the Bay Bridge and took pictures of incoming ferries, I noticed that each boat seemed to have folks on the bow, watching the docking. It got me thinking: if I lived in this remarkable place and had to take the ferry every day, I suspect I'd be on that bow as well - every single trip. The end of the journey is most certainly a time to remember, and I wondered what the anonymous folks in this image were thinking at the very moment I quietly tripped the shutter.
Your turn: So...what are they thinking?
Perhaps for them it's a part of their daily routine and they're already two steps ahead, wondering if they'll catch the next taxi, train or bus as they continue on. I think we sometimes take things for granted after a while - especially our journeys through day-to-day life. Or maybe, like you, San Francisco is a new adventure. I would be wondering what's in the water. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming over to Good Planets the other day. When I was a child my grandfather worked for Provincial Pipeline and London and all the surrounding areas were his territory. He would take me on long rides through the countryside with all those brown brick houses. We always went to the Mennonite Relief Sale and bought pies. Good memories.
They're thinking, "Hey, someone is taking a picture of me! Is my hair combed? Is my make-up on right? Should we smile? Wonder how much that camera cost?"
ReplyDeleteWill this *bleep* boat just hurry up - I'm late for a meeting!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pic as always, Carmi!
Michele says hi.
Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale
ReplyDeleteA tale of a fateful trip....
Or that's what I think every time I'm trapped on a boat with other people. "It's just a three hour tour, honest, a three hour tour."
Speaking of captioning... there's always room on my ark for that.
My first thought is that they are tourists who dont do ferry often. People who live there and take it everyday might not be so prone ot get up and take in the view. Like you, I know would be on that bow daily Carmi!
ReplyDeleteThey may be thinking, "if that guy could move, I could get that perfect shot!" :)
They're thinking that they are lucky that weren't on the Bay Highway where part of it collapsed this past week.
ReplyDeleteWell I am usually on the bow on every trip looking at the sea and it's surroundings.
ReplyDeleteThey're thinking, "Wow, I wonder if that bridge would melt if exposed to the fire from a gas tanker, and how bad would it screw up traffic, and for how long?"
ReplyDeleteMan, they got it bad yesterday. Poor people. Hope they can all take BART.
i remember taking this ferry and admiring the city as it came in to dock!
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to imagine what they may be thinking, perhaps this is something they do every day. But if it where me I know I would be marveling at my good fortune. My heart would be singing as the breeze brushed my face and the smell of the salt water filled my nostils. Maybe someday, who knows.. it will be me. :-)
ReplyDeleteThey are probably thinking of their next plans, or maybe how hungry they are and where is the best place to eat once we get off here?
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog and leaving such a nice comment!
I'm such a backseat driver that I'd probably be thinking: "Ooh, more to the left, a little more....SLOW DOWN! Ack! We're going to hit the dock! Oh, whew, I think it's going to be OK this time..." Every. Single. Day.
ReplyDeleteI've got issues, though ;-)
Thanks for stopping by my blog!
Perhaps they were wondering about what they were going to have for dinner? LOL!
ReplyDeleteWhen I lived in Plymouth in the UK I would sometimes use the car ferry that went over to Torpoint. I always got out of the car and went onto the top deck to look accross the water. Some of us are always wanting to see what is out there and what is ahead.
one is trying to decide if she has enough thyme to make that special dish for dinner...and then her thoughts ran on to what whine she would serve and should she wear the little black dress to greet her husband at the door, or wear nothing at all.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking if it were me...she would be glad to be able to "fit" in that little black dress, so wear the dress while she can!
Was it morning? They were thinking about work and how that would go, and what they would have for lunch.
ReplyDeleteWe used to play this game while taking a car ride or walking in the city...Choosing a person on the street, and saying their thoughts out loud, in that moment...I think for the purpose of your wonderful picture, I would have to get a better view of a face or two, to fibure out what I thought theat they were thinking...(lol) I'm willing to bet that one one of them might certainly be thinking, "I'm afraid I am goining to be late...!"
ReplyDeleteThe guy up front is thinking, "I've got to go to the bathroom so bad!!!"
ReplyDeleteOur family has taken the boat from Hong Kong to ShenZhen on several occasions, and we do find ourselves mesmerized by the waves, the motion of the boat...all things "boatish." ha! We also loved watching the local fisherman catching fish and casting nets from their small boats.
ReplyDeleteThere is something about people who live their life on the water. Maybe it's just a perception but they just seem to have a connection with nature that many of us lack.
Thanks for the thoughtful start to my day!
I'm not sure what they were thinking, but it's another gorgeous photo.
ReplyDeleteIf they're like me though, as I approach the island via the bridges, I'd bet they never tire of that awesome scenery.
(PS...I really came to visit to check on Fraiser...lol Have to see how the little guy is doing)
Ummm
ReplyDeletetime for some chowda in the bread bowl!
They're thinking: So if I only eat two little chocolate doughnuts out of a six-pack each day, that's only seven-grams of fat instead of 21...."
ReplyDeleteI would think: Woohoo! I live in San Francisco! Woohoo!