Bay to Waves 2011

Goodbye San Fran

After miles and miles of walking, cold showers, early mornings, late nights, and much more, we have reached the end of our week long journey. I suppose right now the only way to describe what I’m feeling is bitter-sweet. I’m definitely gonna miss alot of the people I’ve gotten close to this week; it’s sad to think that we might not see eachother after this): But I can’t lie and say I don’t crave a thirty minute shower right now.

Today, we went to Hayes Valley Farm and worked a bit in the gardens, but besides that, it was hands down the most relaxing day we’ve had so far. After that we did a bit of shopping and now are just relaxing and getting ready for the show tonight.

Hopefully the plane flights tomorrow go off without a hitch and we all get home safe. And to end my last blog post, I would just like to say that I had a good time getting to know everyone and good luck in the future!

-erin

Day 6—Goodbye San Francisco!

It’s the last full day, and it began around 8:30 ish.  We took off to Hayes Valley Farm, which was a rather large farm where a highway (or as they call it here…the freeway) ramp collapsed in the earthquake of ‘89.  Instead of rebuilding it, the lot just remained vacant for many years.  Now it is a farm!  It’s designed in such a way that the trees planted will help protect other plants, which is really cool.  They also were raising bees for honey.  After that, we got to choose if we wanted to stay, go back to SHHS, or go to the Embarcadero.  I chose to go to the Embarcadero, which was very cool.  There were little stands selling things (mostly bracelets and such).  I had gelato :D . And now we’re back.  Tonight we’re going to see Billy Elliot, which I’m really really really excited about! I’ve had the songs stuck in my head all day!  But, Harry Potter comes out at midnight tonight, and I’ve also been quite distracted by that.  Hopefully when I come home tomorrow I can see it (and hopefully Meredith got me tickets like I asked her to….). 

I’m going to miss everyone I met on the trip!  GOODBYE SAN FRANCISCO!

—Cara

6

So the exhaustion is setting in for real.. Today we went to Hayes Valley Farm, a site I really enjoyed, where we underwent a variety of gardening projects. It’s a pretty cool situation- when the off/on ramps collapsed in the earthquake of 1989, they were reconstructed around the original site. That empty plot of land (remaining ramp materials and all) has been the farm since 2009, and will remain so until the government decides it wants the land back. I personally worked with John and Erin to rebuild some of the beds using a wheelbarrow and dirt. It was surprisingly enjoyable, and I think I may take on some gardening projects of my own at home. Then, we were given three options- to stay at the farm (as I did), to travel via MUNI to the “Embarcadero” area, or to come back to school and just chill. I  then was assigned my own project while the others continued to build a “cold frame,” which is basically a mini greenhouse. I got to build new beds along a barbed wire fence. Basically I raked for a really long time by myself, but it was pretty awesome to see the network of beds I’d built after an hour. Now we’re off to see Billy Elliot and hopefully eat…

Wynne

Last Day :(

I can’t believe that this is our last night in San Francisco! The fact that I’m leaving tomorrow just became real when I printed out my boarding pass. I have learned so many things during this week and hope that I will be able to continue my service when I return home.

Today we walked down (a lot) of hills to Hayes Valley Farm. This farm is located on the remains of a collapsed freeway from the ‘89 earthquake. It was very interesting to see how they had converted this land. Our group took on many different jobs. I was surprised how much I enjoyed it because I usually do not like dirt. However, I can feel the dirt between my toes (sorry for the TMI).

Tonight we’re going to see Billy Elliot. I’m excited to see a show in a different city because normally I see them in New York.

It’s going to be hard to say goodbye to everyone tomorrow. While I’m looking forward to going home- it will be strange not to see everyone.

This trip has been such an amazing experience and I know that our service has truly affected people!

Day 5: July 13, 2011 (Amanda)

It was a decent day.

Amanda

swan song

goodbye san francisco, you have been wondrous. 

i will really miss everyone i have met, but it will be a good miss. some nostalgia. everyone ive encountered on this trip is so splendidly diverse. each and every one of you are extremely kind. im glad we all got the chance to meet.

thank you to ray, sergio, john, and stephanie. youve all given me a lot of insight.

im sad to leave but im so happy im going home.

Project time

Today we when to the, Hayes Valley Farm and it was not a animal farm with pigs, or cows, or chickens, but instead it was a garden farm. When we got there we had a tour of the place and the history of it. Some of the girls spilt into three groups, one planted, another was doing something with dirt, and the last group build a project. I was in the last group helping my friend with a project she wanted to do. We did that all day and when we finish, everyone who helped was really happy to see it. Now its break time and we are getting ready for tomorrow. We are also getting ready for Billy Elliot.

-Aimee

Day 6- goodbye san francisco

It is crazy to look back and remember all of the amazing experiences that I have had and how it hasn’t even been a full week. Today I was privileged enough to construct a cold frame at the Hayes Valley Farm. Though I was not able to go to the Embarcadero with some of the others, I stayed with John, Isabella and Aimee and finished the frame with tremendous help from Casper (who we met at the farm). It was a great sense of accomplishment to start and complete the project (we had not planned on constructing one of these earlier). I was so lucky that everyone was extremely supportive of the idea and for all of the help I was given.

This entire trip was such an incredible experience and I am very lucky to have been able to come to San Francisco. I will never forget this trip and all of the people I have met. During reflection yesterday we went around saying what we were most thankful for – today, I am most thankful for all of the people in my life and for being able to take part in Bay to Waves, for I will never be the same after seeing and learning about this amazing city.

- Sarah

Farewell San Fran!

One of the questions asked when applying for this summer service project was: What do you expect of this trip? I remember that I said “I expect to learn and grow in new and wonderful ways.” This trip has done exactly that. We have seen the sights, we have served those in need, we have learned about San Francisco and its citizens, we have learned to live in simple living conditions, and we have learned to appreciate our lives back at home. We have grown to be more independent individuals but we also have grown closer as a group. The summer service project is coming to a close but, the memories I have made here will stay with me forever.

- Anike