Berkeley

Figure 1.0 Berkeley Train Station.

I arrived in Berkeley in the early morning just as the sun was just rising over the hills. After ringing several times at Jon's place (Jon was a JCHer from first semester, of my first year there)and finally getting through I rang up a taxi to take me over to his place. The taxi driver didn't seem all that talkitive he was wearing a turbin, so asked him if he'd watched any cricket lately.

On a side note about the phone booth (Figure 1.1) I was using, somebody and or inanimate object broke the side panels within 20 mintute period of been at the station a guy came and replaced the broken panels. He had obviously done it a few times before because he did it in no time.

Figure 1.1 Punched in phone booth I made use of at Berkeley train station.

Berkelely has much more of the outdoor dining and coffee shops that you see in Australia perhaps because the climate suits it more. It's a laid back kind of suburb which is centered around the University of California Berkeley Campus. Jon's house was perfectly situated within walking distance of everything.

The first thing on the agenda was getting some sleep given the lack thereof I had on my over night journey there as well as tying up some loose ends back home for my return.

Figure 1.2 Clock tower on the University of California Berkeley Campus

Figure 1.3 Old growth forrest of gum trees at Berkeley campus.

The thing I love above all else about the Berkeley Campus is the gums trees which make up a 100 by 100 meter forrest the first time I saw it last year I nearly died because it was so unexpected to see something like this. The tree trunks are a all very sizable making some of the gums quite old. the scarcity of ground cover also makes it stand out. I spent a hour or so just marevelling at it. by now you could probably tell I was just a little home sick. If you ever get the chance to go to the campus make sure you check it out. You would be "unAustralian" not to. Ironically enough gums trees are a kind of weed in California they're all over the shop.

Figure 1.4 Pathway down the mountain top of Berkeley

Figure 1.5 Cool tree on the top of Berkeley

College football was once again on and Berekely was playing another university. I saw the after math of the game on my way up to the back hills of Berkeley.

The are numnerous trails at the Back of the University of California, Berkeley campus that wind their way around the back hills of Berkeley. SAs well as providing a good work out you also get to see how the other half (technically probably top 1%) live with mansions dotting the hillsides. Berkeley is one of those places I could see myself living in. everything within walking distance. A laidback environemt aand sourounded by wilderness.

I really enjoyed my time in Berkeley and would have like to spend some moe time there though.

My thanks go out to jon for putting me up and putting up with me! Thanks.