[arethuza]

I remember once being a hotel ~15 years ago that was 5 or 6 blocks along (I think) Geary from Union Square - when I told the taxi driver where I wanted to go he said "Do you really want to go there?".

The direction I got from the chap on reception were interesting - basically walk up the hill two blocks and along and back down to Union Square - he was very clear on not walking directly to Union Square. Of course, I did try walking directly back myself late one night - took taxis after that!

[orky56]

I find it even worse. I often stay at Parc 55 and there's a liquor store about 3 doors down that is a nightmare just to walk by. It's a sad sight to see watching homeless people spending the little money they have on booze in the heart of the new Silicon Valley. It's that feeling where you don't know the solution but the problem is so pervasive that you truly feel powerless. You know right from wrong but feel powerless in the easy amoral apathy.