Another disturbed night leads to another beautiful day. Sunday in San Francisco obviously starts with a fitness burst. A 10k run or a swim in the harbour!
We would have joined them but needed to be at the boat by 9 to cross over the water to the islands. Today we were visiting two islands: Angel Island and Alcatraz. But first we had to get to Pier 33 which was an hours walk from the hotel.
At the Pier hundreds of people were going to Alcatraz but fewer were in the line for Angel island.
We boarded the smaller vessel with our fellow passengers and set off to the islands
On the way to Angel island we passed Alcatraz, a rock with a prison on. There was one similarity in the two islands that being they were both used to incarcerate people, prisoners or immigrants, but beyond that there was not much else the same.
It is interesting how many prisons are on islands. 3 on Sheppey, 3 on Isle of Wight, 1 on Jersey, 1 on Guernsey. Water seems to be seen by the authorities as a good line of defence to those who try to escape. However like everything else when someone wants to escape they will find a way, but escaping may not always be the answer sometimes it’s important to stand and face what’s in front of you.
Angel island has a long history from Mexican rule to being an army base, providing detention for immigrants and much more but is now retained as a State Park of natural beauty. Something returned to natural beauty after difficult years
History
Views
Between islands we saw birds
Flags
Flying machines
And so much more.
Then off to Alcatraz. What a contrast. Cold, windy, somber, dirty, harsh and haunting. There were many stories as to who was in the prison and some of the things that happened including escape attempts.
There was debate about how to treat prisoners, and currently there is a prisoners strike in USA who are fighting for equal pay. The discussion board went from agreeing the motion, to agreeing but then expecting the prisoners to pay for all board and lodging through to prisoners lost their rights when they chose to break the law.
The prison closed in 1963 due to lack of funding, however I would like to think it closed due to the inhumane conditions.
The outside not to bad, possibly what a prison would look like but inside was soul wrentching
And the outside area so confined, but able to see and hear the freedom from the city
The debate will continue, punishment by locking up, depriving individuals and treating them as it is felt they should be treated. Or, yes lock up as needed, but find a way to value people, give them skills, teach them respect, what an opportunity our penal system has to change lives.
On returning to San Francisco and after contemplating all we had seen. We went into the ships cockpit and discussed the new hybrid boats with the captain.
Having seen the ocean cleaner yesterday today we were on boats with solar panels and wind turbine. The state is really advancing the eco-friendly agenda. It is strange considering how dirty parts of the city are, yet another one of those San Francisco contradictions.
Back on land, time to take in the sun, then dine on the waters edge just watching the world go by.
Another fantastic day with time to reflect and put all things into perspective
