Four Doors

There were 4 doors each about 5 -7 feet apart facing the narrow non-descript cobblestone street.  Over 3 of them I could just barely, in the dark of night, make out a sign which was painted in large letters:  "Mis Super."  An orange Fanta banner hung under the sign.  The fourth door differed only in there was a large iron gate protecting it. (Even now I am not sure the first 3 doors were fake or there actually as a mini market behind them during the day. 

Mom's friend and our guide deftly opened the gate and threw open the wooden door.  We were soon in a semi dark hall way lighted by rows of votive candles in groups of 20 or more each.  Collector handicrafts gave definition to the walls.  In 10 paces the hall opened up on the left to a lightly lit tropical palm garden.  A fountain bubbled quietly in the center of the greenery.  As we passed the garden on our left the hall looked in on a large living room - again lit by votives as well as few discreet indirect lights.  A large 4' urn did not look out of place with the dark wood asian and latin artifacts.  Couch pillows were as big a thunder clouds.  At this point we left the continuing hall, entered into the living room and from there the dining room which was hidden from the hall by a wall.  Again the theme was southwestern browns, blacks and dark tans with  oversized silver pieces for contrast.  We exited the dining room into the kitchen which was a riot of color depending on the harmonizing of blues, yellows and orange for design.  

Our guide led us from the kitchen into a large high walled patio filled with about 50 guests and a 4 piece latin jazz band.  The back wall featured a small stone house with terra cotta tiles.  Its front served as the bar.  The center of the room was taken up by a large table - which was probably the normal spot for most meals - laden with hors 'd ourves.  As I looked up, the walls were at least two to three stories high.  The wall we had just come through was designed as a street-side wall with iron gates over windows and two huge SMA street lamps.  The patio was open to the sky.  Our hostess, moved to SMA over 30 years ago from Texas and soon  established her residence as a place to be seen.  They say there are 3 groups in SMA: the cocktail set, the volunteers and the artists.  All were represented.

Marie and I met several gallery owners, including one man who has a major show this week.  Interestingly enough his friend commutes back and forth to SF where he has an apartment in Noe Valley.  The evening was a mixture of going to a gallery opening, an open house tour and a fine arts discussion group.  Later, as we were being driven back to our apartment we noticed many in the party had migrated outside to a favorite outdoor taco stand for a final snack.

Today was a rest day.  We ate dinner at home and watched Bette Midler in Beaches.  Tomorrow is another day.