Event originated as vow of safe passage

I have fond memories of my first visit to San Francisco in the late 1980s. Then 23, I was intrigued by the city and its people, as well as the delicious Chinese food, Muir Woods, Fishermen's Wharf and so many other local attractions.

I had since been to the city four times, the latest being three years ago with my son. We visited City Hall, where a wedding was being held, and accidentally ran into mayor Newsom. My son asked the mayor for an autograph and, as he never keeps an adequate notebook for signatures and is accustomed to grabbing whatever comes in handy, handed the mayor his San Francisco map. The mayor was all smiles when signing for my little one. And mayor Newsom was very happy when I met him again yesterday and told him about it; we even took a photo together as proof of his goodwill to my son.

Those were indeed delightful days. But this time, it felt like a different San Francisco in my new shoes.