Friday, Sep. 21., 2007
Beautiful Sunrise in Monterey
Monterey→?
Distance: 118:30 km , Time: 7:34:14 Std., Total: 1,154.30 km
When
I already woke up at 6:00 in the morning the sun was still sleeping. Not to
wake up my roommates I took carefully my camera and locked the door very
quietly.
This early I wanted to check the Cannery Row, the renovated and closely built
sardine cannery factories which are lined along the coastline. I wanted to
visit the still active fisherman’s wharf and walk until the historical Custom
House.
Chinese fishermen came with their families on junks over the Pacific
Ocean and established the fishing industry in Monterey during 1850s. Because
the markets for fresh fish were far away they dried the fish in the same way as
it was custom at home.
With the opening of Booth Cannery and the Monterey Fishing & Canning
Co., a Japanese-American joint venture, fresh fish could be processed on the
spot and conserved in 1902. The demand especially after the American
anticipation during the 1st World War (1916-1918) was very high and drew other
companies into the area. Because of the rich fishing grounds and industry
Monterey was called the “Sardine Capital of the world”.
To
stimulate the economy during the Great Depression (1929-1939) the U.S.
government allowed the processing of sardines into fishmeal and fertilizers.
Joining
the 2nd World War (1941-1945) the demand and with it the fishing of sardines
was increased to a new level. As a consequence of this overfishing died of lack
of fish supply the whole fishing industry of Monterey within the next 5 years.
Already in 1945 John Steinbeck immortalized his novel “Cannery
Row” the different types of workers and made them famous over the borders of
the USA.
From
the Hostel there are only a few steps, therefore I arrived at the 1927 built
American Tin Cannery. Today the building, like all other former canneries,
accommodates different kind of shops selling clothes, gifts, jewelers and
delicatessen. The obligatory restaurants serving fresh seafood cannot be missed.
Across
the road beside the Recreation Trail is the 1984 opened Monterey Bay Aquarium
(MBA), in which visitor can learn everything about the marine life. Per year
1.8 million visitors discover thousands of plants and animals represented by
623 named species. A high supply of fresh seawater directly from Monterey Bay
guarantees the natural development. Unfortunately the doors were closed on this
early morning; every adult should expect ticket prices of US$29.95/person (in
2007!)
I
passed the Monterey Plaza Hotel and only a few workers were busily cleaning up
and preparing the place for the business of the day. In the yard I could
discover a fountain with jumping dolphins over a wave and made a picture with
the rising sun in the background.
As
I walked I heard some seals barking. Maybe they searched for a breakfast or
shared with their relatives the best hunting grounds (for sardines?). I don’t
know… But as closer I came to the Fisherman’s
Wharf as more of the seals I could actually see. They were either active in the
water or were lazy lying on some rocks.
As the history of Montery is closely
knitted with the fishing industry I absolutely wanted to see the Fisherman‘s
Wharf. Everything is build on through water driven wooden stakes into the
ground, on them were build the simple wooden houses and the gangplanks in
between. The predominant fish and tourist shops were obviously closed and
therefore a notable morning silence covered the whole scene. I walked until the
end and stood there watching the bay. On the way I only met some elderly ladies
talking their morning stroll. I stood at the edge of the water and let it all
come in me.
I discovered a statue with which the
city honors the fishermen working so hard to build the foundation the
city. I think it’s a great gesture by which the rich and famous recognize the
work of the people who actually created the wealth of Monterey with their bare
hands!
(to
be continued)
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