Sunday in Santa Monica

I love to get up early and walk for a cup of coffee.  The streets are unbelievably quiet....hardly any cars. hardly any people, a softness in the air that is hard to describe.  There is almost a pregnant pause effect....waiting for all the exuberance of our town to burst forth in a few hours.

Of course, we have our homeless snuggled up in doorways, under alcoves, laying on park benches, attempting to blend in, to not impose, to be so still that maybe, just maybe, no one will notice or see them there, and they can have 15 more minutes of peace, a small handhold on the escapism of a dream, in the fitful sleep that I am sure eludes them most of the time.  This morning, I was so happy to hear one of our regulars at Broadway and 7th actually snoring!  It touched my heart - at least she was getting a short span of real sleep.

And - to be certain - the athletes are already starting to move!  Although on Sunday it seems that there are fewer at this early hour than the rest of the week.  I am bypassed by runners, their approach signaled by "on the left" or "to the right".  The cyclists in their serious gear (looking hot I might add) roll past with nary a wave, on occasion, the slight head nod of greeting to the lady in pink on the sidewalk.

Early Sunday morning is when you can catch some of the small town charm that possesses our city.  I love to see people opening their restaurants, bakeries, and coffee shops, sweeping the front area, setting single blooms just so in small containers on bistro tables, many wearing the old school long aprons, doing their part to wake up the sleepy city.  Unlike the determined, driven cyclists, these folks always have a smile, a wave, or a good morning to share.

Since we are an oceanside city, we are often enveloped in a shroud of "marine layer" or fog in the early morning.  I love that too.  Have you ever taken a sweatshirt out of the dryer that had been forgotten overnight? You pull it on half expecting it to be warm - but it is actually somewhat chilly?  Then you have to warm it up from the inside out with your own body heat.  That is how the fog feels to me this morning.

Sunday morning is the time each week when Santa Monica takes a moment to catch it's breath.  Our town is host to people from all over California, all over the country, all over the world - all year long.  The next time your are in Santa Monica, make a point to get up around 6:30, brush your teeth, grab a sweater, and go for a walk.  If you give me a call - I will go with you!