Oakland's best kept secret

This summer I will have spent two whole years in Northern California! When I first arrived in Oakland, I felt like I had landed on another planet.  It was chaotic, crowded, loud, dirty, and dangerous.  Oakland is still most of those things two years on, but I usually see it through different eyes now.  I even get defensive and a tiny bit proud when I talk about this city.   

In China, whenever we were having a particularly tough day trying to make sense of the culture and environment around us, we would say we were having a "bad China day."  I definitely have "bad Oakland days" as well, but they are moderated by so many highlights.  First of all, I love my church community.  To be a Christian in northern California is in some ways like China, too.  Christianity is not a part of the culture, so if you find someone else who is a Christian, then you know they do not take their faith lightly.  The people within in our church are incredibly generous, well-educated, and outwardly focused.  They are making big waves in this community, but in a meaningful way.

Secondly, I never freeze here or have to scrape ice off my car.  That saves me from plenty of frustration and frozen limbs and pricey winter wardrobes.  Yes, it can get a bit monotonous with perpetual sunshine and 67 degree weather all year long, but I really can't complain much.  Plus, that means you really don't need a gym membership.  You can enjoy the weather and amazing scenery almost every day of the year by hiking, biking, and running at any of the nine million local, state, and national parks.

I also love the ease of my commute and the immediate access to any type of cuisine at any moment.  I can walk out my door, hop on a ten minute bus ride, and end up at my office.  My office is located right next to the BART train station, which means San Francisco is then also only about 17 minutes away.  Most weekends Jeff and I have to debate about whether we'll eat Thai, Laotian, Indian, Vietnamese, Korean, etc. etc. for dinner.  Too many choices right at our doorsteps.

My number one favorite thing about Oakland, however, is Lake Merritt, which sits right in the middle of Oakland.  At about 3 miles in circumference, it is the largest urban salt lake in the country.  It seems to be the glue that holds the city together, and the point from which you orient yourself to get around in the city.  The lake is where East Oakland turns into West Oakland; where North Oakland turns into Central Oakland.  On one side is my office.  On another side is Jeff's apartment.  And the two main streets, Grand and Lakeshore, provide more definition to the lake.  

Apparently up until a few years ago, it wasn't nice.  It was filled with trash, and you could get robbed at any time of the day.  It still has a very urban, somewhat gritty feel, but it seems like life is really happening here.  You feel alive.  Everything and everyone you look at is full of color and vibrancy.  Plus, it was here that Jeff and I began our weekly 3 mile runs together before we started dating.  Ah, the memories.   

After work I will walk back home along the edge of the lake or take the short 10 minute walk from my apartment to the lake on the weekends.  I will trace my way along the hills of Easter egg-colored houses from the 1920s mixed in with condos from the 1960s, and a few coffee shops, laundromats, and tiny restaurants thrown in as well. 

Once I set foot by the lake, I take in all the colorful souls around me.  People come and park their cars along the street and just sit and chat outside of their cars.  Some of them are playing drums or blasting samba music from their stereos.  I have hypothesized that people come here to hang out instead of their own neighborhoods, because it is safer and more interesting.  Hipsters slackline in between trees.  Rowers glide across the murky surface of the water.  The same man always sets up a blanket to try and sell items he has scavenged: random pairs of high heels, picture frames, and knick knacks.  Elderly Chinese people slowly perform tai chi, although I have seen one very elderly lady a couple of times practicing leg kicks with such enthusiasm and force that it's a miracle she doesn't topple over.  One man even had his 10 foot long pet snake out for some exercise.  And tons of people of all ages and colors are jogging, walking, or lounging on the big blanket of grass.   

San Francisco and Silicon Valley hipsters are discovering Oakland, so I am trying to enjoy Oakland just as it is for this season, as it might not last much longer like this!  You're welcome to come visit me anytime!  So in closing, I will leave you some pictures of Lake Merritt.  I usually try not to take pictures on my phone in any other part of Oakland, because it is not uncommon for someone to relieve you of your phone if you have it out in the open... Oh, Oakland!