The weather here has turned much cooler the past week: 60’s in the day, 40’s in the night. Having lived in San Francisco the past four years before coming to Warsaw, it’s strange but serenely beautiful to see the leaves turning colors and to have the sensation of Autumn. Strange to think the last I remember Autumn like this was four years ago during my first time in Poland in Krakow…
I had grown up mostly on the East Coast, earlier in New Jersey and later in Georgia. After college I moved to New York for a few years before moving out to San Francisco. I remember being a young kid living in New Jersey and playing in the woods, everything covered in leaves, the sound they made as you walked through them, the smell… In Georgia, Autumn was different: not so many leaves but mostly pine needles, which seemed much trickier to rake than leaves. A different smell and color, and not quite the same sound. Autumn in New York was more about the quality of light than the color of leaves. A beautiful time to walk around, so comfortable amongst the people, the buildings looked beautiful with a deep blue sky and apple cider from the farmer’s market in hand…
Living in San Francisco the past four years, Autumn was a different experience. The quaity of light, the days shortening, yes, but a warming up from Summer and I can remember some of the most beautiful days walking to work up Polk Street back when my old company was at Ghirardeli Square, walking slowly with a cup of tea and the water in view…
Sitting here and looking out from our apartment to see the colorful trees and beautifully rich light, I’m happy to have another experience of Autumn, with many memories of Krakow, New York, and childhood in New Jersey coming to mind. After San Francisco, it’s fascinating to see the world with seasons again, to feel the days growing quieter…