I'm sitting in the Californian town of Cupertino which lies to the south of San Francisco and west of San Jose. The name, that of a town in Italy, was given by Don Juan Bautista de Anza, who called the creek running through the area the Arroyo San Joseph Cupertino after his patron saint, Joseph (Guiseppe) of Cupertino. The name de Anza is also peppered around the town, with a college, a main road and various other places so named. Unfortunately the creek has been renamed to Stevens Creek.
One of the first things you notice is that there is a large cultural diversity. There is a large population of Spanish speakers, which is to be expected this close to Mexico, but there are also many asian faces, as well as many from the sub-continent. I was passing by a chinese restaurant and watching an old Indian couple going in, she resplendent in very beautiful sari, and he also in close to traditional dress. Just an example (and not an isolated one) of what at least on the surface looks like a very harmonious cultural mix.
Looking at the guide book put out by the local chamber of commerce suggests that there is roughly 45% asian, 45% anglo and the rest made up primarily of hispanic with a few filipino, islander and african american. I would have said that the asian contingent was probably 75% north asian and 25% south. I know it is odd for me to differentiate, but I find the cultures of south asia (India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) to be similar enough to each other and different enough to the rest of asia that the distinction is justified. Personally I don't care about the statistics, I just see a great melting pot of cultures that have obviously contributed greatly to the town.
The town sits in a valley surrounded by hills. It doesn't seem to matter which way you look and you will see them as a picturesque backdrop to what is a rather pleasant town. Perhaps not the most beautiful of cities, especially down the main drag of Stevens Creek Boulevard, but enough greenery and scenery to make it well worth the visit.
Of notable absence was graphiti. Sure, there was some, you expect that, but so far it was limited to one low sign on the entrance to a carpark. I walked past what looked like an abandoned church or funeral parlour and was surprised by the lack of vandalism and graphiti. There was none that I could see, and no windows were boarded up. Judging by the weed growth and the weathering on the dismantled sign it would have to have been empty for at least 3 to 6 months. I can't really think of many places anywhere in the world where there wouldn't at least be some visible signs of damage.
The one thing I am finding a bit difficult is that the city, like many smaller towns in both the US and Australia, is very spread out and it is difficult to see a lot just walking. I might see if I can borrow or hire a bike and cycle around. The area is ideal for that as it is so flat, and there are generous bike lanes on most of the roads.
From my hotel I have to walk about a kilometre to the office, and to do this I walk past the Apple complex. This covers at least a dozen buildings spread over the route, starting with One Infinite Loop (gotta love that address!), and including buildings with names like "de Anza Seven", "de Anza Three", etc. Every building has extensive and well manicured lawn areas with many, many trees, making the walk past very pleasant indeed.
Well I guess with all this there has to be a few bad points, and the first is that it doesn't matter what I say or ask for in a store, I always have to repeat myself. Now I don't have a particularly strong accent, and I am ostensibly speaking the same language, so I really can't figure out how saying "Spring Water" can be translated into "Muffin" or provoke such confusion. Now I like what we call in Australia a "short black" with a soda water to accompany it. Short black is easy, it is an espresso. But even that had problems. So far each time I've asked for a single espresso the service staff have looked at me and gone on to explain how little I will be getting and am I sure that is what I want, and don't I want a double or triple. Well, no, as it happens all I want is an espresso. Sure it doesn't go anywhere near filling your cups, but since you don't use espresso cups that is understandable.
Soda water? Don't even bother. They have no such concept. Either that or I have failed to find the right translation. Carbonated water? No that doesn't seem to ring any bells. Sparkling mineral water? No, just blank looks. Finally I give up and ask for water. At least at this restaurant, unlike the last one, they understand "water". I'm going to try and ask for seltzer water or club soda next time and see what I get.
So far though, the food has been great, and apart from language difficulties and certain coffee chains, the service hasn't been too shabby either. The brew pub just across the road from the hotel has some great brews, even if the American palate doesn't seem to understand the concept of ale, (I'll say this just once - Irish Red Ale isn't supposed to be bitter!) and great food. Even the bagel with lox schmeer I had at the bagel cafe down the road was above expectations (or maybe I was just hungry).
Work? Oh yeah, I did some, thanks to the extensive and free wireless that most places in the US offer, including my hotel. A little word of advice to Sydney airport: Do you really think that charging people $12 per hour access is really justifiable? Take a lesson from the US and try just offering a decent service instead.