San Mateo In Monochrome

When somebody hears the word "San Mateo", folks where I live would instantly think "San Mateo, Rizal". I however, remember "San Mateo" differently...

This is a man-made stream that runs along Park Place in the Archstone Apartments area in front of Whole Foods.
It has decorative fountains on both ends and bridges in between. It's a romantic place. Even if you're alone.

For me, it's San Mateo California. A high tech, quiet suburban area in California south of San Francisco. Quoting Wikipedia here...

San Mateo is a city in San Mateo County, California in the high-tech enclave of Silicon Valley in the San Francisco Bay Area. With a population of 97,207 as of the 2010 census, it is one of the larger suburbs on the San Francisco Peninsula, located between Burlingame to the north, Foster City to the east, Belmont to the south, and Highlands-Baywood Park and Hillsborough to the west. San Mateo was incorporated in 1894. By car, San Mateo is about thirty minutes from downtown San Jose and twenty-five minutes from downtown San Francisco.

As far as I can remember it's among the best places I've ever been in. I especially loved the cool climate. It's not as cool as San Francisco, but it's cool enough to feel comfortable. This is especially true around the neighborhood where we were residing, Archstone San Mateo Apartments. I miss the evening walks in Park Place, Saratoga square and Meadow square. I missed swimming on their awesome pool and going to their Jacuzzi, and going back to the pool again. Simply because I can. Here are some of the shots I took in monochrome during one of my evening walks. I was trying out a new lens and filter modes at the time.

You know you're old if that clock tower reminds you of "Back To The Future". Sorry, I didn't meet Doc Brown.

Closed - Stores in the area close at around 10 PM. The place isn't exactly night life central.

Street Parking done right. There is ample facility for street parking in the area. Notice the recess in the curb that allows visitors and residents to park their cars on the street without obstructing traffic. Despite the recess, there is still ample space in the sidewalk for three or four people to walk side by side. The Philippines is generations away from this. Also, note the properly implemented bicycle lane and proper lighting. 

The streets are almost empty, and it makes the whole place look surreal.

When shops close, they can leave their furniture out without fear of it being broken or taken.
Maybe having a police station less than a block away helps?

A fountain at Park Place. Just outside the camera frame to the left is where the man-made stream begins.

The apartment we rented had communal gym facilities. Though it only had a treadmill and and elliptical machine. I'm a fan of the elliptical machine. I can spend hours on it. I get to watch a movie while I'm on it too.

Sometimes it's the little details like this that I like.

A communal water fountain. I think it's a nice touch that means a lot. Free potable water, for example. 

Makes you want to jump go here and play, doesn't it? 

Frog fountains. Too bad I wanted a Squirtle statue. Then again, in Japan, maybe...

Mini Waterfall. It's not exactly Niagara Falls.

Further downstream from the mini waterfall there's this. The Stepping Stones.

Parking signs abound. After 6PM you can park until the next morning.

Death? Or Ghostface? I would stay away either way. This was taken around Halloween.

Zombie apocalypse is here! Quick, aim for the head!

That's it. Thank you, goodnight!





Alright, a bonus. Last picture for this post...

A glimpse from the outside of what's in my housemate's room.
Who knows what happens there. I think I heard a chainsaw and somebody screaming there one time,
but I don't know. I did not find any blood stains.
It's where even angels fear to tread. LOL

Until next time, let's get lost and wander. :)