April 16, 2012
We were invited by K to stay a couple of days so that they can show us the Silicon Valley, the place where all the Internet, the dot-coms and the high tech industry started and are still being developed.
K's orange trees were dotted all over with big ripe oranges and we had them, and some tangerines from K's friend, for breakfast. The oranges were so plump and fresh they squirted when peeled and the juice was awesome.It is a such a privilege and pleasure to stay with friends because we get to spend time with them and get to learn and see more than we otherwise would if we were on our own.
K's hubby, FC, took us to the Apple! headqua rters in Cupertino but we didn't know anyone there so we weren't allowed into the offices. The Apple Company Store is open to the public though, and it is different from other Apple stores because although Apple products such as iPhones and computers are on display, they are not for sale. It is the only place where you can buy Apple T-shirts, caps and accessories so I grabbed a couple of caps and T-shirts before we left for the next Internet wonder, Google. Again, we didn't know anyone there and I stayed in the car while the rest of us walked around the grounds of the 'campus'. Google has many offices here and there but I think the headquarters is Googleplex. I would have loved to visit Google because I think I can live without Facebook but not Google.
Btw, andI don't know if it's a fact,I was told that Steve Jobs named his company 'Apple' because Santa Clara (where the Silicon Valley is) where he grew up in, was a fruit farming (apples included) area.
Lunch was seafood and steaks but I've lost all my photos. I found the food rather greasy.
After lunch, it was Stanford University, the most awesome university I've been to. Its architecture is very Californian and I was reminded of The University Of San Diego. Stanford is huge (3,300 ha), very well-kept (no graffiti or cigarette butts), very pleasant and has this utterly awesome (again) academic vibe. It felt more serious than U Berk, and the students are noticeably more preppy than U Berk's. The ! academic tension was definitely palpable and I'd like to be there to see Stanford (and Harvard) students do their 'Primal Scream' at midnight during the final exam week, howling out their dorm windows in unison to relieve their stress. My university had a couple of naked runs and once a year a naked Lady Godiva with long blonde hair rode through campus on a white horse(am not sure if this is still practiced)although I don't think it was to relieve stress.
At the entrance of Stanford, thrilled.
Past the entrance, there is a big church. It is beautiful inside.
Those are statues by Auguste Rodin.
Of course the computer science building has to be named after Bill Gates.
When you think of it, it's no wonder that the Silicon Valley is the leading center for high-tech innovation and development, since some of the countries' best universities, Stanford in particular, are in the state. That, plus the fact that American is quick to recognise and accept innovations and creativity. Another factor is the tremendous amount of funds they have. I've forgotten the figure but research studies in the medical department recently received funds amounting to tens of billions.
So big there's a golf course.
We spent a couple of minutes on top of a hill to check out the San Andreas Fault, which runs under the valley in between the hills in the photo below. There is a beautiful house built smack right on the faultline (not in picture). That's either true faith or blind faith.
We ended the day at the Golden Gate Bridge. Unfortunately, the fog rolled in and we couldn't get good photos. It was also the coldest night I've ever had in SF so it wasn't exactly the best time to be up in the mountains where it was windy but Hub was leaving the next day, and I wanted him to see as much of SF as possible. Dinner was at Grant Place in Chinatown. It was very yummy but I've lost all my photos.
Thanks, FC and K, if you are reading this, for being the best hosts ever. Our memories of SF are made even more special because of you.
We were invited by K to stay a couple of days so that they can show us the Silicon Valley, the place where all the Internet, the dot-coms and the high tech industry started and are still being developed.
K's orange trees were dotted all over with big ripe oranges and we had them, and some tangerines from K's friend, for breakfast. The oranges were so plump and fresh they squirted when peeled and the juice was awesome.It is a such a privilege and pleasure to stay with friends because we get to spend time with them and get to learn and see more than we otherwise would if we were on our own.
K's hubby, FC, took us to the Apple! headqua rters in Cupertino but we didn't know anyone there so we weren't allowed into the offices. The Apple Company Store is open to the public though, and it is different from other Apple stores because although Apple products such as iPhones and computers are on display, they are not for sale. It is the only place where you can buy Apple T-shirts, caps and accessories so I grabbed a couple of caps and T-shirts before we left for the next Internet wonder, Google. Again, we didn't know anyone there and I stayed in the car while the rest of us walked around the grounds of the 'campus'. Google has many offices here and there but I think the headquarters is Googleplex. I would have loved to visit Google because I think I can live without Facebook but not Google.
Btw, andI don't know if it's a fact,I was told that Steve Jobs named his company 'Apple' because Santa Clara (where the Silicon Valley is) where he grew up in, was a fruit farming (apples included) area.
Lunch was seafood and steaks but I've lost all my photos. I found the food rather greasy.
After lunch, it was Stanford University, the most awesome university I've been to. Its architecture is very Californian and I was reminded of The University Of San Diego. Stanford is huge (3,300 ha), very well-kept (no graffiti or cigarette butts), very pleasant and has this utterly awesome (again) academic vibe. It felt more serious than U Berk, and the students are noticeably more preppy than U Berk's. The ! academic tension was definitely palpable and I'd like to be there to see Stanford (and Harvard) students do their 'Primal Scream' at midnight during the final exam week, howling out their dorm windows in unison to relieve their stress. My university had a couple of naked runs and once a year a naked Lady Godiva with long blonde hair rode through campus on a white horse(am not sure if this is still practiced)although I don't think it was to relieve stress.
At the entrance of Stanford, thrilled.
Past the entrance, there is a big church. It is beautiful inside.
Those are statues by Auguste Rodin.
Of course the computer science building has to be named after Bill Gates.
When you think of it, it's no wonder that the Silicon Valley is the leading center for high-tech innovation and development, since some of the countries' best universities, Stanford in particular, are in the state. That, plus the fact that American is quick to recognise and accept innovations and creativity. Another factor is the tremendous amount of funds they have. I've forgotten the figure but research studies in the medical department recently received funds amounting to tens of billions.
So big there's a golf course.
We spent a couple of minutes on top of a hill to check out the San Andreas Fault, which runs under the valley in between the hills in the photo below. There is a beautiful house built smack right on the faultline (not in picture). That's either true faith or blind faith.
We ended the day at the Golden Gate Bridge. Unfortunately, the fog rolled in and we couldn't get good photos. It was also the coldest night I've ever had in SF so it wasn't exactly the best time to be up in the mountains where it was windy but Hub was leaving the next day, and I wanted him to see as much of SF as possible. Dinner was at Grant Place in Chinatown. It was very yummy but I've lost all my photos.
Thanks, FC and K, if you are reading this, for being the best hosts ever. Our memories of SF are made even more special because of you.
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