(Sunday, Sept. 17, 2006)
On my walk back from breakfast at Fellini this morning, I noticed an odd-looking vehicle driving on University. A few minutes later, I noticed a couple more. That was my first clue that something was happening in the neighborhood. My next clue was the proliferation of signs indicating part of the street was blocked off for several hours for a parade. It all came together when I saw a banner for “How Berkeley?! Parade and festival” which, it turns out, is reminiscent of the Fremont Solstice Parade.
Undecided about whether to watch the parade, I checked out some booths set up along Center, off of Martin Luther King. One booth offered “tuning fork” massage; I stopped to treat my weary feet. (Well, foot; my left foot still wants to mutiny, my right foot doesn’t understand what all the fuss is about.) At the time my massage ended, the parade began. Easy decision now: I was there, the parade was there, and there was plenty of room for spectators. Note to The Boyfriend (TB): This album includes some bike pictures. Note to Karen: … and a horse picture.
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Rumor had it Berkeley would even have naked bicyclists (an annual, unnecessary controversy each year in Seattle). I hung out for the parade for almost an hour and didn’t see any naked bicyclists. I did see some naked pedestrians; 4 men, none of them completely naked. The first wore sunglasses and flip-flops. I would guess this man spends a lot of time naked — he had a deep, dark, all-over tan and no tan lines (one can’t help but notice such things on a person of the naked persuasion). The next man wore a hat, fake hair & beard, a t-shirt, and nothing below the shirt except shoes. The third man wore shoes and a backpack. The last man wore shoes and sunglasses. The vibe wasn’t at all creepy, or the least bit sexual. It was a “this is one day when I can walk around au naturel, so I’m just gonna enjoy the freedom” vibe.
Funky cars, crazy costumes, and naked men. Can it get any better than this?
It can and did. I went for a walk later this afternoon and found Indian Rock. I had tried to find it the first week I was here, but (as per usual) had trouble following the map. Today, I spotted a sign hiding behind a tree across from a fountain, and the sign read, “Indian Rock.” Serendipity! I guess Indian Rock found me. And this afternoon was a great time to visit the rock; the morning I tried to find it was overcast. Today I saw the stunning city and bay views from the top of the rock.
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Berkeley has great transportation options: BART, buses, one’s own feet, bicycles, electric and other fuel-efficient cars. And it has funny signs, too.
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Berkeley also has some “you’ve got to be joking” signs and stores:
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Some additional food commentary:
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Some Berkeley architecture and flora:
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And last but not least, some more bike shots for TB:
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