Tuesday, May 20, 2008, 3:30 p.m. Well, before we continue, I want to reassure you that things between us be clear: there is often no tremor earth as severe in San Francisco. The evidence I have notice anything while we were there ...
No kidding, if I wanted to speak, precisely on 18 April, it was not to worry. You should know that each year at 5:12, families of victims find themselves in front of Lotta's Fountain on Market Street, where the survivors had spontaneously gathered to find their relatives after the disaster. This fountain was offered in 1875 to the city by the actress Lotta Crabtree. Of course, in 2006, to commemorate the 100 th anniversary, thousands of people attended, including a dozen survivors. After a minute's silence, sirens rang church bells rang and a carriage drawn by four fire horses traveled Market Street to the fountain.
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| view of Alcatraz from Hyde Street |
But for now, not to worry, we're on the bus on Van Ness. It is a great avenue named after the mayor of the city in 1856, James Van Ness. This artery runs through the city from north to south, from the bay, until Cesar Chavez Street. If I clear it up, it down, and this is of course not the only street in this case, you will absolutely not surprised, because everyone already knows!
There is a proverb which says, it seems: "When you're tired of walking in San Francisco, lean on it." The city is built on more than forty hills, high of 60 to 275 meters. The streets are steeper towards Russian Hill and Nob Hill neighborhoods that we follow exactly, and Pacific Heights. A roller coaster ...
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| Bay Bridge View from the Cable Car in the descent from California Street |
An example Filbert Street, from Van Ness climbs up to its junction with Hyde Street, then down to Leavenworth Street with more than 31% slope. Another example, 22nd Street between Vicksburg Street and Church Street. These are the two steepest portions. And
attention to park in the steep streets of SF, where parking was not provided perpendicular to the sidewalk, we must tighten the brakes (yes, I'm not making), but above compulsory turn the wheels toward the sidewalk, under penalty of fine.
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| Van Ness Ave / St Filbert: beware the downhill, coming up! |
And do not you'll most priority on reaching the bottom of the slope. In all crosses, each street has a stop sign. Well then, you say that going on? Well simply, it is in the order of arrival. Anyway, better to avoid taking the car, I can tell you that there is little room for parking!
The city, like many others, has a grid pattern. In planning, it is called a plan hippodamian or hippodaméen [and there, I confess, I do not know, there are still two minutes]. If you want to know everything, Hippodamus was a Greek architect.
course, such a plan takes no account of topography. But the downside of the steep streets of San Francisco, which is the most famous example, however, constitutes one of the charms of this city.
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| In the cable car during the descent from California Street |
So the streets of San Francisco , you know, there is no doubt. For some, it evokes a series American TV that is passed in France in the 1970s. This series featured the investigation of Mike Stone (Karl Malden), a veteran of the San Francisco Police Department with 23 years of service. His teammate, the young and impetuous Steve Keller (Michael Douglas in the first four seasons), who left school detective assistant police had to prove on the field. Between 1972 and 1977, there were no fewer than 121 episodes, and this has contributed immensely to our knowledge, and San Francisco ... a young Michael Douglas.
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| Jones Street, view from California Street |
I will not give you all the movies that were filmed in San Francisco. Some are listed on Wikipedia . Randomly among the latest in that you've seen: And if that were true ... In search of happiness, or Harvey Milk Zodiac.
But I can not ignore the famous race-car chase in Bullitt . This police lieutenant played by Steve McQueen in the eponymous film, released in 1968 American cop. Yes, I know, it's also a bit dated for younger children. But it's really become a classic in film history, and even the scenes that are more realistic, thanks to a judicious positioning of shots, much more striking than the use of special effects or images synthesis, ultimately.
And when we know that the chase between Frank Bullitt, driving his Ford Mustang Fastback and killers driving their Dodge has really been turned into the very streets of San Francisco, it adds to the realism, right? Remember, the chase between two cars which quickly become prosecutors pursued, still takes 10 minutes to finish a little abruptly at a service station ...
I let you (re) discover this little memorable scene filmed 40 years ago. But I assure you that in our case, our bus driver, Ariel has deftly handled his car, admittedly, but still (much) more calmly. It also allowed me time to take some pictures throughout the journey. And it also prepared us to quiet places we'll visit shortly.
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| safe arrival on Dolores Street, and without the help of DHL! |
Half an hour was enough to drive about 8 km, but remember, it climbs.
Just after the intersection of 16th and Dolores Street, we arrived at their destination, and DHL has nothing to do! Come on, everybody goes down.
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special message today to the attention of Stephen ( MrOizo ):
"I wish you a happy birthday my grandfather! "
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