Today America got BSE. Yep, they found a mad cow in Washington state and now other countries get to ban the importing of beef from the US. Maybe now they will realise that there are more countries in the world. It will affect them quite hard over here. Although it will affect the states that most Americans haven't even heard of.
We finally managed to get tickets to go across to the rock today. Its costs $16 including an audio tour. It’s an important place to go in San Francisco, but you need to book tickets.
Alcatraz looks fairly harmless from a distance, but as you get closer it grows more intimidating and you get a feeling of how strong the currents are around the steep banks of the island. It's very exposed in the middle of the bay, with a chilly wind and the distance promise of civilisation.
Of course it's famous for being a jail, but really it’s been much more than that. It was originally settled in the 1850's by native American, but then it was taken over by the military who turned it into a fortress. They later made it into a military prison before handing it over to the federal government who made it into a penitentiary for the countries most notorious convicts. It was a prison between 1934 and 1963 until it was closed due to the high running costs. While America was preoccupied with civil rights issues, the Vietnam war andthe state parks were umming and rring about what to do with the island a group of native Americans took over the island for 19 months between 1969 and 1971. After the State regained control they turned it into a tourist attraction.
The bit that we're all here for is when it was a jail. From what we were told most inmates had respect for the Rock and say it reformed them. No mean feat considering these prisoners where the ones believed to be beyond hope of reform.
The most famous inmates were the Birdman, Al Capone and Clint Eastwood (in the 1979 film 'Escape from Alcatraz'). They say that no one has ever escaped from the island, but of course I know this isn't true. Clint got away and is now mayor of Carmel. I wonder if there's a bounty on his head?
The cell block is right at the top of the rock and is self contained with a visiting section, solitary confinement, mess hall and recreation yard all in 1 building. It's smaller than I imagined. The rest of the island contains the wardens house, a lighthouse, accommodation for the guards and other service buildings. Unfortunately none are in very good condition (most aren't standing), as during the native American occupation they destroyed most of the buildings.
