I used a frequent flyer ticket to get home last month and since it was Jan/Feb I opted to avoid the northeast and all of the winter goodness it brings. I flew through San Francisco which resulted in an overnight and day layover on my way back through. In all of my trips there previously I had never been to Alcatraz so decided to take a tour on this trip.
I went out on the first tour of day and was actually the first person up in the prison which was pretty cool. It was also a bit eerie.
They have a few of the cells open so you can go inside and I cannot imagine spending any amount of time inside these. Sure, they are small and sparse but it is more that there is absolutely no privacy. Look across the hallway...you can see everything in the 2-3 cells...everything. I realize that this is a prison and part of the purpose is to punish people and take away their luxuries but this would only make me want to behave even better to never, ever have to be in this situation.
Or...if I do find myself in prison I may end up in solitary where at least there is a little privacy...
The other thing that was very noticeable was how cold it was inside the prison. There was no heating and the day I was there it was only in the 40s outside so it was pretty cold in there. Man, I can't imagine having to sleep inside someplace that cold and I do love some cold weather.
It is interesting to me that the views are so spectacular from the island. Although, getting outside and seeing the views as a prisoner was probably not something that happened often. I wonder if the prisoners looked on San Francisco and longed for what they didn't have any longer or if they just didn't care...
What I really loved was that in the midst of this place that was built to hold what society considered such horrible people were such beautiful buildings and scenes...
It was a fun tour and something that I'd definitely recommend if you haven't been. It seemed a lot smaller once I got on the island and walked around. Things always seem so much bigger in movies or on TV but that may just be me and my imagination. The next time I go I want to do the sunset tour...it would be beautiful to see everything in a different light.
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