#wsfspring18

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Throwback Thursday: Kodi Haney, Spring ‘18

[Photo Credit: Renee Chan]

Kodi Haney, Social Work and Sociology major at Gordon College, interned at Eviction Defense Collaborative

Enjoy Kodi Haney’s #tbt post on his first encounter with this vibrant city, breathing in its welcoming air.

I remember my first night in San Francisco. It was raining, typical for January. It was much colder than I expected. I landed at about 8:30pm and, as the minutes passed, I became increasingly hungry.  

I had been travelling since 8am and was tired, so I hopped in the Uber going to my hotel. As I gazed out the windows, a strange feeling began washing over me, something I had never felt before. Air.

For the first time in my adult life, I felt air. My lungs, unaware of their immeasurable importance, shouted with joy. Quickly my entire body began to quake, until all I could do was cry tears of joy in the backseat of that Uber.

As I  reflect upon the semester’s experiences, those feelings begin to creep up again. Tears of pure joy stream down my face as I remember back to the time some woman on the street saw all of us with our backpacks on going to Rodeo Beach and asked, “Are you on the Urban Program?”

[Photo Credit: Kodi Haney]

Or, when I remember the time we all played sardines in the Clunie house. Or, even thinking about our accident on the most crowded bus of the twenty-first century.

San Francisco has given me something I had come to accept did not exist for me; it gave me life. Its vibrancy, pizzazz, and uniqueness have overflowed my heart with incredible joy and love.

The moments and people who have filled each and every day have renewed my spirits and given me a new song to sing. Most importantly, San Francisco has taught me what it means to breathe in and breathe out fresh and wholesome air.

[From April 2018]

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Throwback Thursday: Michael Tucker, Spring ‘18

Michael Tucker, Business and Economics major at Gordon College, interned at Patamar Capital

Enjoy this #tbt post illuminating the joys of biking to the office. According to Michael, “biking is the perfect way to experience the city and the outdoors, especially on the way to work.”

“Taking the Scenic Route” by Michael Tucker

San Francisco is known for historical modes of transportation such as the clanging cable cars that go up impossibly steep hills and the rickety street cars that run the length of Market Street. Contrary to the travel brochure version of San Francisco, most users of public transportation do not ride on these iconic relics. Instead, thousands of people each day rely on city busses to get them around San Francisco safely and on time.

I used to be one of these people, using the bus to go to work each day. My daily commute used to be the worst part of both my morning and evening - having to wake up early to wait for an unreliable system, getting squeezed in with all kinds of people, and having no control over the day made transportation miserable. 

[Photo Credit: Michael Tucker]

[Photo Credit: Michael Tucker. “The calm before the storm. During rush hour people are crammed in like sardines.”]

After a week of bad commuting, I took the advice of my co-workers and biked to work. My unpredictable forty-minute commute was suddenly cut down to around ten minutes, and, best of all, I began to enjoy my morning. 

Flying down San Francisco’s hills is incredibly freeing, not to mention fun. By riding in a protected bike lane, I can pass the bus and long lines of cars without having to stop and wait for traffic to clear up. 

There is a sense of freedom that comes with biking. I am no longer at the mercy of the bus schedule or the traffic patterns of a bustling city. I am able to decide when I leave, I choose which route I take to see the city, and I have control over my commute.

In a city that values being different and unique, as well as having the ability to create a new path, this independence fits right in. The bus has its time and place, but for a carefree and fun commute, biking can’t be beat

[From early April, 2018]

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Throwback Thursday: Bailey Hedge, Spring 2018

[Photo Credit: Renee Chan]

Bailey Hedge, Westmont College English Major, interned at 826 National

Enjoy Bailey’s reflections on her visit to Angel Island, #tbt

“Adventure to Angel Island” by Bailey Hedge

Among the many landmarks of San Francisco is Angel Island. It is often referred to as the Ellis Island of the West Coast, although many people still don’t know about it. Thankfully, I had read about Angel Island before coming to San Francisco, and, as I love history, I put Angel Island on my list of things I must do while here.

In February, I visited Angel Island on a beautiful, chilly, and sunny day. My friend and I wanted to tour the island and go hiking, but, as there are fewer ferries on the weekend, we had time only for a short walk. We decided to take the tram tour to see the whole island and learn its history. Two of the most surprising aspects of the island are its natural beauty and abundant history. The whole island is covered in trees, wildlife, and offers phenomenal views of the Bay. It is just stunning. 

I knew the island was where many immigrants were detained before being allowed to come into San Francisco, but I was surprised by its earlier history. Angel Island was originally inhabited by Coastal Miwok Indians, and later served as a base for soldiers to live while protecting the island and defending the Bay. Throughout the last century the island was also used as a place to quarantine the ill. During the Cold War, the island housed missiles in case of a attack. My friend and I were both surprised and even shocked at the range of uses for the island.

[Angel Island photo credit: Bailey Hedge]

Now Angel Island is currently a state park where tourists hike, bike, camp, and do tours of the island or of the old buildings. Going on a trip to explore Angel Island is a wonderful way to escape the city and to just relax. There are picnic benches all over the island where guests can rest or just simply enjoy the amazing view of any part of the bay.

Angel Island is only a quick ferry ride away. Next time I will take a tour of the buildings where they detained the immigrants and hopefully hike to the top of the island to get an even better view of the bay.

I can’t wait to go back!

[From February 2018] 

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Throwback Thursday: Sarah Sprinkle, Spring 2018

A Villanova University student majoring in Urban and Community Studies with a minor in Education, Sarah Sprinkle interned at Lick-Wilmerding High School

Enjoy Sarah’s reflection on the vivid colors of San Francisco.#tbt

“The City in Color,” by Sarah Sprinkle

San Francisco has been a pleasant burst of color -  a shaking up of what is “supposed to be.”

“How’s San Francisco?”

    “—Colorful,” I say, as if I can’t get my answer out fast enough.

The houses are colorful.

The streets are, too. That is, they’re anything but boring--there’s a man blowing giant bubbles on the corner of Haight and Ashbury, and they shimmer a rainbow when they catch the sunlight. And rainbow crosswalks line the street of the Castro. Oh, and through the window you can see vibrant, bold storefronts lining entire streets and hillsides.

The image and stereotype of cities I held coming into the semester were immediately challenged by the color of San Francisco. Weren’t cities “supposed to be” full of people in dark suits - brown, black, gray, and otherwise dull-colored clothing - walking briskly in and out of tall gray buildings, skyscrapers, that do little to enhance the blue sky they too often overshadow?

I almost have to laugh at that thought now. San Francisco is so vastly different from that picture of the modernized, “American” city. Here we have tie-dye, talking to strangers, and I even passed a man in the park making a work-related phone call, simultaneously “working” and running four miles.

A colorful city, and one that is unabashedly colorful at that - with turquoise, purple, and orange houses - is so different from what I’ve known (think back to those people in dark clothes, walking in and out of gray buildings, with serious faces). 

And I think that is the coolest thing about the color of San Francisco: the freedom in it. 

Everywhere you look, the City expresses a fun and light-hearted spirit. It pops in vibrant color, posing questions to the rest of society: “Why shouldn’t I paint my house purple?” or “Why not paint the streets rainbow?”

Wow.

Now there’s a contrast from the deed-restricted neighborhoods of suburbia, from the tight social constructs that dictate what is “okay” or “permissible.”

And that is refreshing.

What a beautiful thing to behold, to walk past each morning, to live in: Color. An expressive and bold and unashamed declaration that says this is who I am—and I’m going to show it and be upfront about it and not let anyone, anything, or any form of social norm stop me from living brightly, boldly, and colorfully.

(Originally written in early March, 2018)

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Throwback Thursday: Renee Chan, Spring 2018

Renee Chan, Communication Studies Major at Westmont College, interned at Because Justice Matters

Enjoy Renee’s descriptions of her favorite city explorations focused on art, beauty, culture - and, of course, food!

My Bottomless Bucket List

Over the past four months, I have completely fallen in love with this city and all its chaos and diversity and art and beauty and food. From walking through mural alleys in the Mission, to people-watching at 420 in Golden Gate Park, to trekking up hills to catch the sunset, I’ve had a bottomless bucket list of things to see, eat, and do in San Francisco. Here’s a preview:

1. Marin Headlands: Probably the closest thing to Ireland you’ll find in North America. Take a day trip across the Golden Gate Bridge, and explore the cliffs, the battery, a lighthouse, and a pebble beach! (Bonus points if you find Consortium Beach).

2. Ferry Building: SAMPLES GALORE. Hop on “21 Hayes to Ferry Plaza” on Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday morning, and mooch off all the free blood oranges, olive oil, and hummus.

3. Twin Peaks: Go during golden hour. Catch one of the best views of the city AND the ocean, especially as Karl the Fog starts to roll in.

4. Food, food, food: The best of the best (that is somewhat affordable). Marufuku Ramen, Zazie, Chubby Noodle, Golden Boy Pizza, Hai Ky Noodles.

5. Drink, drink, drink: Non-alcoholic, of course. Matching Half Cafe, The Mill, Boba Guys, Chai Bar, i-Tea.

6. Tenderloin National Forest: No, it’s not an actual national forest, but it’s worth a visit and definitely one of my favorite spots in the city.

7. Chinese New Year Parade: Or any other event in the city. The annual CNY Parade, held in February, is filled with loud firecrackers, high school marching bands, and talented children performing martial arts. But don’t worry if you’re not in the city for the parade! You can attend plenty of other events happening every week, such as the Art Crawl, Treasure Fest, and concerts.

8. Fisherman’s Wharf: But you have to take the cable car. Grab some In-N-Out (you know you miss it already), Krispy Kreme, and top it off with a free sample (or two, maybe three) at Ghirardelli.

(Originally written in early May, 2018)