The streets were slick with rain but they didn’t stop us or the umbrella’d masses from exploring San Francisco's Chinatown. Which makes sense considering it is the largest Chinatown outside of Asia as well as the oldest in North America.

After a quick bite of a clay pot dish we went looking for the Peace Heart Doctor Banksy artwork that lines the walls of one of the many alleyways in Chinatown. We couldn’t find it, the address is 720 Grant Ave, but what we did stumble across was a fortune cookie factory.

Now as someone who can’t stand the taste of fortune cookies I have to say that fresh cookies taste infinitely better than the ones that you receive in a restaurant.

For 50 cents we were allowed to snap photos inside the factory.

Despite my new appreciation for the creation of these cookies I'm still traumatized by the last fortune I got which told me I was not being paranoid enough.

We kept exploring down the maze of alleyways and discovered another cool handmade desert by the name of Dragon's Hair. Think of it as the Chinese take on cotton candy.

This delicious desert can be ordered at Dragon Papa 752 Grant Ave.

I exited Chinatown and made my way to Oakland wondering what other cool foods I would discover during my travels.

Five and a half years ago, Valerie and I ran away from the tour guide on the military island of Pompus in the Netherlands. We noticed a room with the perfect aesthetics for a photo shoot. Valerie laid down on a reflective surface as metal rods hung from the ceiling; I snapped a few pictures before we swapped places.

Never content with the ordinary, we became fast friends in Amsterdam. Wherever we explored need to look like the inner pages of a fashion magazine. We’d prep outfits together in our dorm before biking off to some new location. Our time creating art (her painting, my photography) paved the road for my love of urban photography with a fashion twist.

Valerie and I were reunited on the corner of 25th and Mission. The last time we saw each other it was too cold for us to engage in our ritual of photography. Thankfully, winter in the Bay gives you plenty of nice sunny days. We made our way to the top of Bernal Heights and were both astounded by the size of this hill and the grand views it gives of the city.

Unlike LA I wasn’t going into San Francisco blind. I spent a few weeks in San Francisco two years ago. There is something very interesting about the first two times you visit a city. The first time you are overloaded by the information you are receiving. Everything is so new and fresh. I find the second trip to a city reveals so much more about the energy and tone of a place. What shined brightly on the first trip might be duller upon a closer viewing.

The sun was setting fast and in our attempt at chase after we ran off the hill and explored more of the neighbor behind the behemoth. Valerie and I found steep hills and gorgeous houses to photograph as we continued our urban exploration.

If you are looking for things to do after a fun day exploring Bernal Heights I suggest going to this amazing bar Old Devin Moon right down the street on Mission. And if you want a bite to eat then please go to Culture of Nepal which happens to be right next door!

As I'm typing this I realize I only have two more weeks until I move to Tokyo. Friendships like the one I have with Valerie allow me to go to Japan with comfort because I have been able to make life long friendships with people in foreign countries over a shared love of art and fashion. Make sure you subscribe below and follow me on Instagram and Facebook so you don't miss a thing!