Golden Gate Bridge, San Franscisco

I visited San Franscisco, California few years ago. This was my first experience of traveling alone in the US. I took a local train from San Jose to San Francisco, then took buses from the train station to see the sights of the city. The most famous landmark in San Franscisco is the Golden Gate Bridge, an architectural marvel, and perhaps one of the few such bridges in the whole world. Both the federal and state government is so considerate for people's travel interests that they have created a pedestrian lane in the Bridege using which people walk, bicycle, roller blade across the bridge. Now this of course helps the government achieve the full commercial potential of this landmark. I wish Indian governments taught in this way and attracted more tourists to our wonderful landmarks.

Bridges that Link Places - 1

Life on earth has come a long way since the first human being walked on the planet. Human beings have been able to link land masses divided by natural obstructions such as rivers, lakes, canyons, valleys, etc by building bridges. These vital links have been used by governments and corporations as revenue generation tools. Armies have used the bridges as means of control by destroying vital links and cutting off the land area from outside world. It is interesting to note the different kinds, purposes, and varieties of bridges that are used by people across the world. In my limited travel experience I have shot some pictures of bridges and here they are for your viewing pleasure.

A Bridge built for hikers/ walkers to walk through the forest across a deep creek

A Bridge built for walkers and motorists in touristy San Antonio. This is the first bridge I have seen with a traffic signal... technology changes things...

I will continue with more pictures of bridges in the following posts...

Images of the Past

The Past.....

.... and the Past Marred by modernity

These pictures were shot near the famous Golden Gate Bridge in San Franscisco. Ever curious about the historical monuments I ventured into the back trails of the Golden Gate Bridge Historical Park to see what secrets it holds. And here is what I found.... several old buildings, and most of them splattered by graffiti. I wonder why humans are so bent upon spoiling/ modifying/ altering/ whatever you call it... the existing.

Remembering San Franscisco

Last year I had been to California and that was perhaps the first time that I set out to explore US on my own. My first stop was at San Franscisco, the city with the Golden Gate. The moment I stepped out of the train I was in for a shock, San Franscisco was pretty much like Delhi, with two differences. Streets that are a shade cleaner and loads and loads of Chinese people. Otherwise San Francisco's narrow roads with choc-a-block traffic and people milling around reminded me of any large Indian city.

Not wanting to be in the city's shopping areas, I made a beeline to the bus station to go to famed Golden Gate bridge. That is really something that I would not see elsewhere in the world. The azure ocean, brown mountains and clear blue sky set an ethereal backdrop for the red metallic bridge.

First view of the Golden Gate Bridge

The most famous landmark of San Franscisco is The Golden Gate bridge. It is truly an impressive sight to behold this solid steel hanging bridge across the ocean. The ancient fortress, dungeons, bastians, passages, canons etc reminded me of Indian seaside forts of Aguada (Goa), Murud Janjira (Mumbai) and Bekal (Kasargod, Kerala).

First view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Picture was taken from the bus.

I hate the people who do such insensitive and callous things. I wish they would put their energies and efforts into something productive and that would be constructive.

Fairly closer view of the Golden Gate Bridge. I love the azure and gleaming waters and if it were not so freezing cold I'd love to take a dip here.

Television antenna!

I was surprised to see this contraption atop a lodge/ hotel in San Franscisco. In the age of HDTV, Blue Ray, and what not, there is this lodge which is still dependent on the good old Antenna to receive TV programmes.


A majestic and old church in China Town neighbourhood of San Franscisco.

Street Views of San Franscisco

There are some pictures shot from the bus when I travelled alone in San Franscisco. The city is crowded and characterised by narrow roads, chaotic traffic, dust and dirt everywhere and lots and lots of people. It was like going back to India for me. Except for the fact that the public transport system is very good and there are no street hawkers bothering walking public to buy stuff or beggers seeking alms. But there are beggers... here they are referred to as pan-handlers who are seeking "help" "handouts" "loose change" etc.
Guess what I saw in the parking lot of the Caltrain station? a gleaming blue Bajaj Legend scooter proudly standing amidst numerous big and small scooters, mopeds and motorcycles. Couldn't resist taking a picture. And of course take a look at the graffiti and the dust, oil slick and trash around the place.
Common sight in San Franscisco, plastic covers blowing across the traffic-choked streets.

As I travelled through China Town of San Franscisco I wondered whether I have landed up in Mainland China.

Pictures shot from the train to San Franscisco

I travelled to San Franscisco from Sunnyvale by Caltrain. The train not only carries people from place but it carries their vehicles too. Most travellers from suburbs of San Franscisco come to the railway station by bicycle, load it in the train and then ride to their office after alighting. Here are some pictures shot from the train and around the railway station in San Franscisco.
Platform of the Caltrain station at Sunnyvale
Picture shot from the train, on the road somewhere around Mountain View.
A metal sculpture made of blocks in front of a public park caught my attention. The picture was again shot from the window of the train.
Trash along the railway tracks is quite normal in US too.

More views on the road to San Franscisco

The road seems to stretch endlessly towards California. Excellent pothole free and surrounded by beautiful mountainous terrain, makes this highway any bikers dream. Though I was in the car I enjoyed it nevertheless.
Massive digital road signs like these keep motorists informed about the road and weather conditions.

California's source of fresh water for drinking, farming, cleaning and every other purpose.
Manure piled in agricultural fields reminded me of rural India where this is a very common sight. A few miles ahead we passed a cattle ranch which exudes the smell of cow dung. A stench which can permeate even through closed windows into your car.

More road shots on the highway to California