University of California - Berkeley

BART (Tube Train)

We went to Berkeley University (University of California - Berkeley) in Bart Train (Bay Area Rapid Transport). The train goes under the sea in a tube for about 10 miles (a rare experience). All the stations are automated, we did not see any personnel selling tickets or operating gates. Tickets were obtained from vending machines. To enter into the station, ticket had to be inserted through a slot in a gate, the machine punched the ticket and the gate opened. On our way out, the same ticket was inserted into another gate; this time the machine punched the ticket and adjusted the balance on the ticket while the gate opened. We got down at Berkeley station.

University of California- Berkeley

Founded in 1868, hosts about 35,000 students, 62 Nobel Laureates are affiliated as faulty. University is known for encouraging intellectual vitality and innovative thinking among the students. On the day we went, it happened to be a “Cal Day”. It was like a grand festival, many students from different California Universities had gathered in large numbers. The entire campus was filled with "youth spirit ", there was joy every where. Students from Universities like Santa Bara, San Diego, Los Angels, San Francisco, San Jose etc were gathered to take part in the festivities. There was plenty of food counters and eating joints, being summer BBQ was very popular.

The students of Berkeley University are known for their rebellious thinking. Free Speech Movement of 1964 encouraged the students to revolt against Vietnam War. When I visited Berkeley University in 2006, there were posters condemning President Bush, some I recollect like "Butcher Bush”, “Bush the Terrorist”.

Sather Tower

The Sather Tower is 307 feet high and is the symbol of Berkeley University. It was constructed in 1917 resembling the tower of Venice. It is recognizable land mark of Berkeley. From its entrance, one could see the Golden Gate Bridge of San Francisco which is about 10 miles away. 

Library

The biggest seen by me. It is like a big luxurious museum, every where luxurious carpets, sofa sets; antique furniture makes the library memorable. It holds nine million books. The statue of famous writer Mark Twain reading a book attracts visitors. We also visited the Statue of Albert Einstein, the man whom I consider as Genius.