By
Asiana Ponciano
Guardsman Staff Writer
Fall semester is here and that means Indian summer will be rolling
in and fog will be rolling out.
| Photo
by Lan Citowski
Rich Henry reclines on the pastoral front lawn of the Science
building.
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There
are no better reasons to justify missing your next class than
lapis lazuli skies and warm gentle breezes, and several spots
on the Ocean campus allow you to enjoy the weather in a more personal
setting.
The
first location is considered a shortcut from Judson Avenue to
Batmale Hall and the rest of the campus. To those in the Environmental
Horticulture and Floristry Department it's simply known as "The
Path".
Behind
the Visual Arts building and Batmale Hall, "The Path"
begins as a narrow trail of wooden planks. It continues as a meandering
ribbon of bricks, stone and cement that end with circular stepping
stones leading to Judson Avenue.
Patricia
Morgan, an instructor in the Environmental Horticulture and Floristry
Department, says the pathway is 30 to 40 years old and has been
used as practice ground for landscaping classes.
"They
(people who use the trail) have to watch their step," warns
Morgan. "Just be mindful because it evolved over time."
The
trail offers several wooden benches, shade, and a quiet environment
for those who want some time to relax from a stressful day.
"A
few years ago," said Morgan, "people would stop and
say 'this is so nice, we walk here all the time.'
The
next two spots may not seem like typical places to sit and relax,
but they do offer unique qualities.
Between
the Lunch Box and the Rosenberg Library is a walkway leading to
a semi-circular enclave. This tranquil quarter is like an eddy
to the rushing traffic of students commuting between classes.
It's an ideal area to sit and have a cup of coffee before tackling
an intensive research project in the library.
While
sitting in this cement crescent, you can observe the football
team working out in the stadium below. If you're not a sports
enthusiast, take in the view, a classic San Francisco portrait
of rolling hills adorned with pastel houses.
When
thinking about the B-lot, (the parking lot off Ocean
Avenue adjacent to the soccer field) a woodsy outback probably
doesn't come to mind.
A
neighbor to the B-lot is the mini-forest behind the Student Union
where you can imagine yourself sitting in the midst of Golden
Gate Park. The area has a slight hill but the birch chips and
dried leaves that blanket the ground offer optimum bum support.
Between
the second floors of the Creative Arts building and Art Extension
is a place that has outdoor furniture similar to that of Disneyland's
Tomorrow Land circa 1950. The Jetson-like planters also function
as seats, giving this spot flair, and the accessibility to both
art buildings comes in handy if you want a quick outdoor break
or still need to read last night's assignment.
"On
hot days it gets a nice breeze," said Danielle Andrews, who
comes to this quad to read before class.
If
going to Tomorrow Land is not your cup of tea, then the small
courtyards of Science Hall are perfect for you. On either side
of the east entrance to the Science building are two quaint grassy
squares facing Cloud Hall. The squares have many benches and are
blocked in on three sides providing a secluded hideaway. Plus,
it is ideal for science and math students who need a quiet place
to work but don't want to be inside. These secret gardens make
you feel like you're on the grounds of an English manor.
The
west lawn of the Science building is the only grassy hill not
populated with students and offers a spectacular view.
Molly
Leung has been sitting under the same tree on the hill ever since
her discovery of this spot almost a year ago. "I had a break
between two classes," said Leung, "...and I would just
chill under this tree right here."
"I
like that not many people are out here," said Leung. "It's
a really big, grassy field and you can see the ocean ..."
Soaking
in the warm rays of Indian summer should be a mandatory assignment
for every City College student. Be adventurous and discover what
lies just outside your classroom.
The
Ferry Building Marketplace
Photos by Carol DiBenedetto |
After
ten years of renovations spurred by the 1989 Loma Prieta
earthquake, the Ferry Building at Market and Embarcadero
has grandly reopened as the new Beaux Arts home to an array
of top-notch gourmet food companies and its traditional
outdoor farmers markets.
The
tower (left), about 230 feet tall, was inspired by the bell
tower design of the cathedral in Seville; its 22 foot-diameter
clock dials are purported to be the largest in the U.S.
A
venus fly trap (above) lunches at the Green Market on Sunday,
while (below) shoppers enjoy a dizzying choice of produce
at the Farmer's Market each Thursday and Saturday.
In
the 1920s, the Union Depot and Ferry House was the busiest
transportation terminal in the world, a depot for pre-bridge
ferries and cable cars. After years of decline, the Ferry
Building (below right) resumes its role as a hub of water
transit. After 50 years of neglect, the majestic two-story,
660-foot-long hall of the skylit Grand Nave (below left)
has been restored to its previous grandeur.
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