August 12, 2004
My accommodation
My accommodation is a hotel for long-term visitors. It is located near Civic Center. The room is $950 a month with a private bath.
I found a heater in my room. The heater sometimes become active at night. Nights in San Francisco are sometimes cool even in summer. The hotel has a central heating system and turns it on when it becomes too cool. Temperature of this city is at around 15-20 degrees Celsius in the daytime throughout a year.
It was surprising for me that Japanese was not the majority here. Somehow, the majority is French. To be honest, I do not know whether or not they are really French. What I know is that they are white who speak unknown language that can be heard like “suwa uwa”. Anyway, they are talkative and sociable. When I go breakfast, I always find them talking in French. My neighbor frequently invites other French till midnight. However, I do not feel very happy about these. They are always speaking in their language within their group. I feel as if I have no chance to become acquainted with them. Come to think of it, I spoke a lot of Japanese in JAIMS. Students from other countries may have felt the same thing. Sorry, C, E, M, T, and P.
The location, Civic Center, is famous for a museum and an opera house. But this place is classified as “dangerous area” by Japanese guide books. Indeed, most people on the sidewalk at nearby Market Street become homeless on holidays. Even though I have never felt real danger here, a bike is indispensable for my safe.
Having said so, this is still a nice place. Here is the center of San Francisco, so I can go to any place of the city easily. On top of that, here is also the hub of city cycling roads. I can find a cycling path to here anywhere in the city.
This may not be the best place for everyone, but this is a nice place for me for the most part. I will stay here until the end of my stay.
Tomorrow, I am going to New York by the overnight flight. I will meet my fellow students there. In fact, many fellow students come to New York at once this weekend.
Posted by hfuruichi at August 12, 2004 06:22 PM