The Bridge and Tunnel Set

Most folk who have never lived in the Bay Area think two things, I reckon..

- That there is very little beyond the city of San Francisco, the cities of Oakland and San Jose being somewhere *waves hand vaguely* out there somewhere, in the area.

- The Golden Gate Bridge is the busiest bridge in the area, the others amusing sidebars.

Mm, no.

San Francisco is like Manhattan, small, crowded and incredibly diverse. Surrounded by large, diverse and vibrant communities.

The silver-hued Bay Bridge is THE most important bridge in the Bay Area, fuck the Golden Gate.

Cuz its the busiest, natch. Being the most direct link between Oakland, the East Bay and San Francisco.

Im tempted to call Oakland and the East Bay, the New Jersey of the Bay Area - but ACTUALLY, now that Ive gotten to know the place a little better.. I would call it the BROOKLYN of the Bay Area.

That is no insult.

Although its more like Brooklyn with bigger hills behind it.

With less people.

In any case, tho.. for our purposes of stereotyping, lets say - its sorta like Jersey, with bigger hills than the Palisades and Rockland COunty.

Cuz there is this tunnel that connects Oakland and the East Bay to San Francisco.

Which brings us to the comparison of the Bridge and Tunnel set.

Its not a kind term.

If you live in Jersey, you now belong to the B&T set.. you live on the wrong side of the water. Youre a lesser class of peeps.

To get to Oz, you have to cross the Bridges or go thru the tunnels.

The same phenomena occurs here in the Bay Area.

You live in the East Bay, you are of the B&T set.

On both coasts, people strive heartily to get to the *quotey fingers* Right Side, paying exorbitant prices if need be.

I practice reverse snobbery. Id rather be where uppity folk dont wanna.

And I dont wanna spend 4 figure rent.

But now, Im kinda thinking I wouldnt mind living in The City for a bit.

No, no. For the pictures, man.