So(u)l Food
Marin, California
Adventure #5: Sol Food and Sunset in Marin County
Intention: Value the mundane moments as the magic moments.
This adventure took place on stolen Graton Rancheria and Me-Wuk (Coast Miwok) land.
Amongst all of this hiking and surfing, we wanted a relaxed evening adventure for our night activity. For this challenge, we decided on one of our favorite activities in Marin, going to Puerto Rican restaurant, Sol Food, in San Rafael, and taking it to a beach in Marin for sunset. I've been doing this all of college and Sol food has become my tied and true. It’s incredible cuisine brings me right back to my wonderful experiences volunteering in Puerto Rico, a couple January terms ago.
In my element…
Dinner on the beach is always a go to, filling me with memories of friends in college, during long weekends or just to scratch the itch to get out of the East Bay. Instead of just eating and watching the sunset, we decide to stay later at Muir Woods beach and light a bonfire so we could enjoy our food while staying warm. We had a little bit of trouble starting our bonfire, because our kindling was slightly wet, and somehow (a gift from the gods) a woman came up to us and said “my family is leaving in 15 minutes if you want to just take our bonfire instead”. I’m guessing she had caught a glimpse of our defeat.
We snuggled up to her bonfire after the family left. A fire 10 logs big, and doing very very well. She even left us a bottle of champagne! I didn't partake, as I was driving, but it was just so nice to have a reminder of the little moments that we can give each other as humans, that create a much more beautiful life for those around us. I reflected with my friends later that I can't wait when until I'm older and can be that person leaving a champagne bottle for a group of friends on the beach.
Before this winter, I usually associated being outside and adventuring with solitude, as my daily interactions with the outdoors are usually alone. However, more than ever, this winter has brought pleasant surprises of connection, to friends and strangers alike. It is reassuring that even in a Covid-19 world, we can still interact and have positive effects on the people and world around us. I feel really lucky to be with a group of people that is taking the current situation very seriously, but also so excited to get out of our comfort zones and have a really wonderful time, embracing everything that this winter has to offer us.
Songs for the Soul
Solita Conmingo- Extraño Veneno
Wave- João Gilberto
Reconvexo-Ao Vivo- Caetano Veloso
