that's some old ivy there (or maybe it's not even ivy? what do I know)

When I was growing up I was always fascinated by images from American university campuses. There was something about the lawns and the walkways that was very attractive to me.

I am not sure I feel the same way anymore. Sometimes pretty campuses turn into protected (and protective) bubbles in ways that universities in more urban settings never will.

San Jose State University has a campus, lawns, and walkways. But it's also placed smack in the middle of downtown San Jose. Homeless people wander in off the streets. You hear sirens, and traffic. It's more Crash, than Proust.