Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley, California
The city of Berkeley is famous for its diversity population. Its University is one of the best and well known in the United States. Telegraph Avenue goes straight into the heart of the University and therefore widely recognized as one of the main arteries of the city.
This is the map of the famous Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley, all six blocks of it ( highlight in orange.)
The colorful flyer about the Avenue (click on image to enlarge.)
From Telegraph Avenue facing the University of Berkeley. Sproul Hall-Admissions Office is on the right and Sather Gate is straight ahead.
Corner of Telegraph Avenue and Bancroft Way, the University is on the left.
When I went to UCB in the 80s, this cafe was there and it is still here. According to the cashier, it has been on the same spot for 50 years and still counting. He said they invented the cafe latte.
But familiar Cody's Book has now closed its doors.
I wonder who the long-bearded Rasputin Music guy is?
What good is a college town without its music stores?
...And the fast food restaurants? I used to eat at Top Dog and Blondie's Pizza a lot when I was at the UCB. They were good, fast and cheap enough to fit my student's budget. They still are, and still very crowded at lunch time.
Noah's bagels are really good, they also have great spreads in variety of flavors like Strawberry, Blueberry, Cinnamon Raisin and so on. Noah wasn't there in the 80s though.
Inside Noah's Bagel looking out at one of the artist-vendor's tables.
This whole Village Restaurant is devoted to Asian foods.
There are also new restaurants on the blocks which reflect the ever changing dynamic, taste and diversity of the city. But don't let the word "diversity" fools you, it doesn't mean racism does not exist in Berkeley. In my 31 years in California, I have experienced racist remarks from both White and Black people. Years ago, a white woman I met on AC Transit bus told me: "Go back to where you came from!" just because I stood in the middle of the crowded bus and she said that was blocking her view. Wasn't that shocking? Nobody in the States have the right to say that to another immigrant (except Native Americans.)
In another incident, there was this Black panhandler that I met three times and each time he asked me for a quarter. I said I did not have any. He then yelled at me: "I know you're lying, you fucking Chinese!" Black people are always on edge and often complain about White's unfair treatments and discrimination of minorities, but this man was obviously a racist to the core.
A couple of weeks ago, I got on the bus that was full of college students and the only seat was left was the one on the front so I took it. Half way to my destination, the bus unloaded most of the students. One old White woman, who was sitting on the other side popped onto the empty seat next to me and began to read the sign that said "Please yield these seats to the elderly and handicapped when necessary." And then proceeded to tell me that I shouldn't be seating there. I said to her "But there is no elderly (except her) or handicapped here. Why don't you tell that to other young people here? Why do you pick me? And you should mind your own business." She yelled at me "You shut up!" The bus driver interfered on my behalf and told her that she was wrong and I was "good." I wondered why she picked me? Because I am a small Asian woman, I may not speak English and therefore an easy target?
And just a few days ago, a Black teenage boy chanted loudly when he saw me "Ching, Cheng, Chong!", but I ignored him. Later he came over and sat next to me on the bench while I was waiting for the bus, and said those stupid words again. But a police cruiser suddenly appeared and he scurried away. Racism in Berkeley does exist and I have experienced it. Diversity sometimes means more culture clashes, problems or resentment for us to face.
Berkeley's Telegraph Avenue is also famous for its mural, artist vendors and tie-dye shirts.
Computer game store is a new "kid on the block."
...And so is the tattoo parlor. Telegraph Avenue is one of the students and tourists' favorite hang-out. The atmosphere is very relaxed, fun, lively and has a do-whatever-you-want-to-do attitude to go with it, and I like that.
This is the map of the famous Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley, all six blocks of it ( highlight in orange.)
The colorful flyer about the Avenue (click on image to enlarge.)
From Telegraph Avenue facing the University of Berkeley. Sproul Hall-Admissions Office is on the right and Sather Gate is straight ahead.
Corner of Telegraph Avenue and Bancroft Way, the University is on the left.
When I went to UCB in the 80s, this cafe was there and it is still here. According to the cashier, it has been on the same spot for 50 years and still counting. He said they invented the cafe latte.
But familiar Cody's Book has now closed its doors.
I wonder who the long-bearded Rasputin Music guy is?
What good is a college town without its music stores?
...And the fast food restaurants? I used to eat at Top Dog and Blondie's Pizza a lot when I was at the UCB. They were good, fast and cheap enough to fit my student's budget. They still are, and still very crowded at lunch time.
Noah's bagels are really good, they also have great spreads in variety of flavors like Strawberry, Blueberry, Cinnamon Raisin and so on. Noah wasn't there in the 80s though.
Inside Noah's Bagel looking out at one of the artist-vendor's tables.
This whole Village Restaurant is devoted to Asian foods.
There are also new restaurants on the blocks which reflect the ever changing dynamic, taste and diversity of the city. But don't let the word "diversity" fools you, it doesn't mean racism does not exist in Berkeley. In my 31 years in California, I have experienced racist remarks from both White and Black people. Years ago, a white woman I met on AC Transit bus told me: "Go back to where you came from!" just because I stood in the middle of the crowded bus and she said that was blocking her view. Wasn't that shocking? Nobody in the States have the right to say that to another immigrant (except Native Americans.)
In another incident, there was this Black panhandler that I met three times and each time he asked me for a quarter. I said I did not have any. He then yelled at me: "I know you're lying, you fucking Chinese!" Black people are always on edge and often complain about White's unfair treatments and discrimination of minorities, but this man was obviously a racist to the core.
A couple of weeks ago, I got on the bus that was full of college students and the only seat was left was the one on the front so I took it. Half way to my destination, the bus unloaded most of the students. One old White woman, who was sitting on the other side popped onto the empty seat next to me and began to read the sign that said "Please yield these seats to the elderly and handicapped when necessary." And then proceeded to tell me that I shouldn't be seating there. I said to her "But there is no elderly (except her) or handicapped here. Why don't you tell that to other young people here? Why do you pick me? And you should mind your own business." She yelled at me "You shut up!" The bus driver interfered on my behalf and told her that she was wrong and I was "good." I wondered why she picked me? Because I am a small Asian woman, I may not speak English and therefore an easy target?
And just a few days ago, a Black teenage boy chanted loudly when he saw me "Ching, Cheng, Chong!", but I ignored him. Later he came over and sat next to me on the bench while I was waiting for the bus, and said those stupid words again. But a police cruiser suddenly appeared and he scurried away. Racism in Berkeley does exist and I have experienced it. Diversity sometimes means more culture clashes, problems or resentment for us to face.
Berkeley's Telegraph Avenue is also famous for its mural, artist vendors and tie-dye shirts.
Computer game store is a new "kid on the block."
...And so is the tattoo parlor. Telegraph Avenue is one of the students and tourists' favorite hang-out. The atmosphere is very relaxed, fun, lively and has a do-whatever-you-want-to-do attitude to go with it, and I like that.
posted by Nga at 7:57 AM
2 Comments:
Hi Nga!
I love to see the pictures of Berkeley. You've done a fantastic job!
An Nguyen (Hai's friend)
PS: By the way, can you give me you email address? Thanks!
AnNguyen99@yahoo.com
Chao anh An,
Dia chi thu dien cua Nga la tuyetrinh@gmail.com. Anh Hai ve day cu nhac den anh luon. Anh noi anh thich an o quan Juan's o Berkeley. Neu co dip Nga va hai chau se cung anh Hai den tham thanh pho Boston noi anh va hai chau o.
Kinh chao,
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