It was day four of our trip and we decided to head out to Chinatown. I had seen Chinatowns in Vancouver, New York, and even Montreal but San Francisco boasted the oldest in North America as well as the largest Chinese community outside Asia. I was worried about seeing dead animals hanging from windows and I am GREATLY relieved to report I never saw any, thank the Lord. We passed under the famous green Dragon Gate flanked by massive Foo Dogs; Imperial guardian lions. Tourists were milling up and down the steep street in and out of shops jammed with all kinds of goods made in China. Colored parasols blocked ceilings, tiny goldfish resided in delicate blue and white porcelain bowls, and “Fortune Cat” figurines were everywhere. I have read the calico is considered to be the luckiest. The white represents happiness, purity, and positive things to come. Black is supposed to ward off evil spirits. Gold is for wealth and prosperity. Green is for good health and red means success in love and relationships. I had also wondered about the significance of why some of their paws were raised — I saw right, left, and even both in the air. Every time I’d ask all I could get in reply was “Lucky Money Cat” and I guess they figured that’s all I needed to know. We saw jade, silk, and long, winding red paper dragons alongside delicate hanging lanterns in every color. Outside I gave cash (SO GLAD I remembered to bring some again!) to an elderly man playing my favorite, the Chinese violin. In addition, he was effortlessly coaxing one of my most beloved classical pieces from its strings; French composer Camille Saint-Saens’ “The Swan.” He played passionately and with an expert gentleness that suggested either years of practice or great innate talent. Regardless, I felt my little acquisition of a “lucky cat” had already benefitted me, even though it did not bring me any money. Some things are priceless … like coming out on a sunny day and listening to the painfully beautiful strains of an exquisite piece of music being carried on the wind. The American playwright Tennessee Williams once said, “Luck is believing you’re lucky.” I agree. And with my handsome husband by my side I was lucky indeed.
