I had left NYC hundreds of time before, and never had I seen such a clear Manhattan skyline. I was in awe and still am. The skyscrapers, the blue waters, the city that stands for achieving one’s dreams - stood right in front of me, below, as I was departing towards San Francisco.
The second I landed into San Fran, I knew we had chemistry. The lovely architecture, the warm Californian climate, the elevated streets - for some strange reason - I felt like home. Perhaps the European architecture seamed all too familiar and utterly charming.
If I ever get tired of New York City, I envision San Francisco as my second US love. Many New Yorkers looking to relocate to warmer climate, yet still in a city urban area, settle down in San Francisco. It is the second-most densely populated large city in the country after NYC and it is also the 13th most populous city in the nation, with a population of only about one million. While not overly populated, it is a nice change to stroll the city’s serendipitous parks.
San Francisco is mainly renowned for its mystifying fog, steep rolling hills and streets, beautiful Victorian architecture and fun cable car rides. My favorite part? The architecture! Its most well-known landmark is the impressive Golden Gate Bridge, open since May 27, 1937, proudly spanning over San Francisco Bay. Declared one of the modern Wonders of the World, some travel guides consider the Golden Gate Bridge as “possibly the most beautiful, certainly the most photographed bridge in the world.” And now more than ever, is a must see-attraction.
Inspired by the Bay Bridge’s 75th Anniversary, a new celebratory show inaugurated on March 5th is on the run. An impressive 25,000 white LED lights are individually programmed by artist Leo Villareal to create a never-repeating, dazzling display across the Bay Bridge West Span through 2015. The Bay Lights is the world’s largest LED light sculpture, 1.8 miles wide and 500 feet high. It is also is a monumental initiative eight times the scale of the Eiffel Tower’s 100th Anniversary lighting. Shining from dusk until 2:00 a.m. for two years, it will impact over 50 million people in the Bay Area, with billions more seeing it in the media and online. If you’re curious if the Golden Gate Bridge will light green in honor of Saint Patrick’s Day, check out the Live Bay Lights stream.
Next stop on my US bucket list? Fly to San Francisco again, to witness the spectacular lights with my own eyes!
Happy Saint Patrick’s Day everyone, hope you had a fun beer-infused green day!
