Walking down the narrow streets of San Francisco’s Chinatown, one sees the cluster of brightly lighted stores with neon lights hanging on the walls. Signs in both English and Chinese are displayed inlarge letters to attract the customers. As the evening approaches, the street lights are turned on and the nightlife of the city begins, but there is not much going on. Some people hurriedly walked the streets, as the sky gets darker, not paying too much attention to their surroundings as they rush home. Sitting on one of the corner of the street is a middle-aged male playing an erhu, a two string fiddle. With his sunglasses and hat eluding a vibe of mysteriousness, he plays songs. Laid out in front of him, is a small jar for people passing by to put their donations. The man is certainly quite a sight for tourists, but not so much for locals who have seen the various people play the erhu on the streets of Chinatown for the past few years. Although there is seemingly nothing special about the man, who just wants to play music and earn some spare cash for it, the man is a representation of a particularly rich cultural life that help to distinguish San Francisco from other cities. Chinatown, a predominately Chinese neighborhood, is filled with new immigrants who bring along their traditions and culture from China. The man in the photo is a primarily example of newcomers contributing in enriching the diversity of the city by sharing a part of his culture through music. Wednesday, March 5, 2008
JJ and JL
Walking down the narrow streets of San Francisco’s Chinatown, one sees the cluster of brightly lighted stores with neon lights hanging on the walls. Signs in both English and Chinese are displayed inlarge letters to attract the customers. As the evening approaches, the street lights are turned on and the nightlife of the city begins, but there is not much going on. Some people hurriedly walked the streets, as the sky gets darker, not paying too much attention to their surroundings as they rush home. Sitting on one of the corner of the street is a middle-aged male playing an erhu, a two string fiddle. With his sunglasses and hat eluding a vibe of mysteriousness, he plays songs. Laid out in front of him, is a small jar for people passing by to put their donations. The man is certainly quite a sight for tourists, but not so much for locals who have seen the various people play the erhu on the streets of Chinatown for the past few years. Although there is seemingly nothing special about the man, who just wants to play music and earn some spare cash for it, the man is a representation of a particularly rich cultural life that help to distinguish San Francisco from other cities. Chinatown, a predominately Chinese neighborhood, is filled with new immigrants who bring along their traditions and culture from China. The man in the photo is a primarily example of newcomers contributing in enriching the diversity of the city by sharing a part of his culture through music. 
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Though not many people are shown in this image, it is evident that the "sidewalk ballet" idea would take place. The little room there is for walking on the sidewalk makes it inevitable to avoid running into a stranger or even someone one knows. They are forced to socialize with one another even if it is for something so simple as an apology. I beleive that Jane Jacobs would like this city due to this whole concept of sidewalk ballet that is evident in this image, the city of San Francisco as a whole is a city that I believe she would like. It has many characteristics that fulfill what Jane Jacobs believes needs to be there to make a city a good one. Her love of diversity in buildings and life in general can be illustrated by this Chinatown concept. The fact that a different country entirely is being presented in the United States shows diversity on a completely different level than one is usually accustomed to.
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