Home: My Commute to Berkeley This Summer
My journey from my home to my new home in Berkeley is quite short. Originally from Sunnyvale, CA, located in Santa Clara County of the Bay Area, going home isn't much of a burden. It takes about an hour down Highway 880, and the Orange Line BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) even takes me directly to the Milpitas BART station, which is just 20 minutes from my house.
As a campus ambassador working this summer—all while enjoying the coziness of my childhood room, my mom’s home-cooked meals (nothing beats her Korean BBQ dishes), and exciting hangouts with hometown friends—I figured that commuting to Berkeley would be best. To avoid the morning traffic jam that might extend my commute, I decided to take advantage of the BART system.
A short drive from my house to the Milpitas BART Station involves eating a banana or an apple that I grabbed during my rush out of the house. One thing I never forget during my morning rush is a jacket. Even though it’s the same Bay Area, the closer I get to the California coast, the more I need to layer up.
Upon arriving at the station, I park my car and board the 8:00 AM train. The BART is usually filled with people wearing their lanyards and IDs headed to work. Though I don’t have a lanyard around my neck, as I am headed to my own workplace, I get in the mood to start a new day of work with some uplifting pop music. As I walk up from the BART station, passing my freshman year dorm Blackwell Hall, RSF, and Sather Gate, the grand structure of the Campanile greets me.
Opening the Campanile means starting another day to greet visitors. From unlocking the elevator to setting up the desk and sweeping the floor, my fellow campus ambassadors and I make sure the Campanile is a welcoming place. We also have the privilege of being the first to enjoy the 360-degree view of the Bay Area and the Golden Gate Bridge from the observation deck. Working as an elevator host for two hours and lobby host for another two hours, I get to not only have conversations with visitors from all over the world but also invite them to explore different parts of the campus, such as Doe Library and the Valley Life Sciences Building.
During my lunch break, which usually lasts about an hour, I sit on the glade under the blazing sunlight, along with other students who are picnicking, playing pickleball, and napping. While eating the sandwich I made in the morning, I enjoy the slight summer breeze that comes through the trees. The Glade during the summer is what I think an ideal peaceful California summer scene looks like; just by sitting there, I feel well-rested and energized.
After my rest, I hike up to the Koret Visitor Center by 2:15 PM to get ready for my group tour. The summer group tours usually consist of families or students taking classes at Berkeley. Starting with the enthusiastic “Welcome to Berkeley” and the introduction of the California Memorial Stadium, the tour ends with a strong “Go Bears!” I love giving tours over the summer because I get to meet students and families from all over the world! One time, I had a diverse group of visitors from Peru, Spain, China, Russia, Germany, and many more; my question of “What do you think about the weather in Berkeley?” prompted many different responses depending on where they were from. It’s so fascinating to learn about their perspectives and experiences; while answering their questions, I can widen my own perspectives.
After I pour my energy into the tour until 4:15 PM, it’s time for a sweet treat. Wandering down Telegraph Avenue, I sit down and enjoy a sweet smoothie or boba, or meet up with friends who are staying in Berkeley for dinner at Mezzo—not to mention that it is my favorite restaurant here (I highly recommend the half salad, half sandwich combination). Catching up with friends and learning about how they are spending their summers, ranging from lab work to internships, brings many endorphins to the end of my workday.
Then it’s time to go home! I walk down to the Downtown Berkeley BART station, getting some extra steps in. Hopping onto the southbound Orange Line, I get to enjoy the beautiful scenery displayed through the clear windows of the BART. While the BART is filled with various types of people, including students with backpacks, Oakland A’s fans heading to the game, or individuals coming from a long day of work, we all take a moment to put our phones down and enjoy the view outside. The sight of the Oakland Coliseum with the sunset in the background is definitely one not to miss. The hour-long BART ride feels like it’s only 10 minutes. Getting off at Milpitas, I get back to my car to drive home. I wrap up my day by talking to my parents about how my day went, how the tour was, and how the weather was, then I go to bed, ready for another day of commuting!