Journal One
Impressions of New York
When many people hear of New York, immediately they think of hailing taxi cabs, snobby citizens and fearless pigeons with wreck less bowels. All these things do in fact partly define this lovely city I call home, but that information is usually obtained through mass media. Unless you’ve lived here, you will never get to know peter, the young fellow at the local coffee shop that has mastered the skill of memorizing over ten separate orders without having to write them down. Or get to witness street performers displaying their talents while you’re rushing through the hustle and bustle of the city. Or the sweet aroma of honey roasted nuts, mixed with the scent of shish-kabobs, better known to most new yorkers as “street meat” sold by street venders. All of these things make up this wonderful place we call New York. However, what makes this place so special to me is the fact that it is a diverse culture, there are endless opportunities available here and that when boredom strikes, you could easily find something to do.
I was born and raised in the largest borough in New York..…Queens. I grew up in a Caribbean household, my mother and father both hailing from Jamaica helped to give my life a little zest. From a very young age, I learned to appreciate and love diversity because the people in my community all looked, spoke and even smelled different from each other. Among my friends I had Tatiana, my friend from Puerto Rico that had a rambunctious attitude and had a knack for empanadas. Elizabeth, my friend from Italian descent taught us what pasta was all about. And Tristina, my ‘milado’ friend whose mother was Haitian and father was Irish, used to bring home-cooked meals to lunch of black rice and griot (gree-oh). Four girls, four different cultures merged into one community. This is one of the main things that I love about New York.
Another wonderful thing about New York is that there are endless opportunities. With a fast paced lifestyle even an ice cream truck driver could aspire to one day become a millionaire. This is a fact about New York that I hold near and dear to my heart because i set high goals and aspirations for my future. Though the circumstances may not always be fit, with the right timing, hard work and dedication ANYTHING is possible in the Big Apple.
Another thing that makes New York so unique is that there are a number of various things to do here. You could take a trip to Coney Island in Brooklyn to ride ‘The Cyclone”, go to one of the many museums in Manhattan, visit the zoo in the Bronx, go shopping in Queens at “Queens Center Mall” or catch a ferry to Staten Island. Each borough has flair of its own, but in my opinion the most mesmerizing is Manhattan. Manhattan also known as “The City That Never Sleeps”. Being one of my favorite places in New York, it is the home of the famous New Year’s Eve countdown, which is basically just a free concert for all of New York to experience annually. There are artists on every square block in Times Square ready to draw up a caricature in record time and with shops and boutiques galore, people from all around the world flock to get more bang for their buck. Plus, Manhattan is a place filled with prime real estate; with Celebrities ranging from Beyonce and Leonardo Dicaprio residing in the big apple and the all too familiar “Trump Tower”.
These are just a few things that I enjoy about NY. The diversity, the limitless opportunities and of course the loads of fun that comes along with it. And with that being said, I would love for you to join me in my summer inside the Big Apple.
I was born and raised in the largest borough in New York..…Queens. I grew up in a Caribbean household, my mother and father both hailing from Jamaica helped to give my life a little zest. From a very young age, I learned to appreciate and love diversity because the people in my community all looked, spoke and even smelled different from each other. Among my friends I had Tatiana, my friend from Puerto Rico that had a rambunctious attitude and had a knack for empanadas. Elizabeth, my friend from Italian descent taught us what pasta was all about. And Tristina, my ‘milado’ friend whose mother was Haitian and father was Irish, used to bring home-cooked meals to lunch of black rice and griot (gree-oh). Four girls, four different cultures merged into one community. This is one of the main things that I love about New York.
Another wonderful thing about New York is that there are endless opportunities. With a fast paced lifestyle even an ice cream truck driver could aspire to one day become a millionaire. This is a fact about New York that I hold near and dear to my heart because i set high goals and aspirations for my future. Though the circumstances may not always be fit, with the right timing, hard work and dedication ANYTHING is possible in the Big Apple.
Another thing that makes New York so unique is that there are a number of various things to do here. You could take a trip to Coney Island in Brooklyn to ride ‘The Cyclone”, go to one of the many museums in Manhattan, visit the zoo in the Bronx, go shopping in Queens at “Queens Center Mall” or catch a ferry to Staten Island. Each borough has flair of its own, but in my opinion the most mesmerizing is Manhattan. Manhattan also known as “The City That Never Sleeps”. Being one of my favorite places in New York, it is the home of the famous New Year’s Eve countdown, which is basically just a free concert for all of New York to experience annually. There are artists on every square block in Times Square ready to draw up a caricature in record time and with shops and boutiques galore, people from all around the world flock to get more bang for their buck. Plus, Manhattan is a place filled with prime real estate; with Celebrities ranging from Beyonce and Leonardo Dicaprio residing in the big apple and the all too familiar “Trump Tower”.
These are just a few things that I enjoy about NY. The diversity, the limitless opportunities and of course the loads of fun that comes along with it. And with that being said, I would love for you to join me in my summer inside the Big Apple.
Quixotic Queens
Day 1- July.10, 2013
When I first walked through Penn Station for the first day of class, I didn’t know what to expect from this new experience. I had mixed feelings as I walked towards the only group of people that was standing at the designated area. It was easy to spot them out because they were all dressed in sneakers and they also had a mixture of anticipation and nervousness written on their faces. When the professors arrived, they introduced themselves and gave us a brief description of the course. They also explained what we should expect from the day and of those to come. I was excited to see what New York had to offer in its entirety and today was the first glimpse of what to come. We started our day in Manhattan and slowly made our way to Quixotic Queens where we were able to see many beautiful structures and landmarks of our beautiful NY. Though we witnessed the many beautiful cites of Manhattan and Queens, the most memorable of the day was the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, our wonderful lunch at the Jackson Diner and The Museum of the Moving Image.
Before we set out for the day we first took the time to admire the less than stellar Penn Station, where professor pointed out the lack of natural sunlight. We then found ourselves at the NY Public Library. Here we learned that many authors wrote world renowned material. As we admired the Neoclassical design of the exterior and made our way to the magnificent interior, to the Rose Waiting Room. Here, we took 15 minutes to construct what is called a Haiku poem.
“New York the greatest
City that doesn’t sleep
Vibrant and gorgeous”
After leaving the library, we went to splendid Grand Central Terminal. We learned that it was the largest terminal in the world and that Jackie Kennedy saved it from become a modern eyesore. She pushed to keep it in its original state and now it stands here for its 100th anniversary. After leaving the Station we arrived to the super luxurious Waldorf Astoria Hotel. “The Waldorf Astoria Hotel, at 301 Park Ave is still architecturally and socially one of the city’s finest hotels, and an Art Deco landmark” (Blue Guide pg.235 par. 1). I truly loved every minute inside the Waldorf Hotel! It had impeccable taste and a luxurious feel from the minute you walked in. I felt as if I was walking on money, and to see the number of celebrities and world figures that stayed in the hotel was inspiring to me. I wanted to run upstairs and fall asleep on one of their plush mattresses. As we walked through the lobby I noticed a mesmerizing clock right in the center. The Blue Guide explains “The centerpiece of the lobby is clock made for the Chicago Columbian Exposition in 1893. On it are likenesses of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Queen Victoria, and other notables as well as Bronze Plaques representing various sports”(Blue Guide pg.235 par. 3). It was beautiful along with the rest of the lobby, and as much as I wanted to stay we had to continue the long day ahead of us.
After we left the hotel we made our way to the Roosevelt Island Tram. I was curious to know what it was, because I have never heard of one, much less ever seen one. So as we walked through the drizzling rain, and waited at the station, I was engulfed in fear as I watched what was called a ‘Tram’. It was some sort of trolley suspended by three wires. At this point I was sort of reluctant to board this contraption, but I figured ‘what the heck?’ and swallowed my anxiety as I hesitantly entered the Tram. The only thing I remembered from there was me clenching the pole tighter each time the tram swayed from left to right. As we crossed the East River suspended in air, I tried to admire the beauty of 59th Street Bridge but decided to stare at the floor of the trolley instead. When we finally arrived to Roosevelt Island, after what felt like an eternity, I just thanked god for making it here alive. And as I walked on solid ground, I tried to regain my balance because before I knew it we were on our way to the Four Freedoms Park. On the way we witnessed the totally dilapidated building called Streker Laboratory, which to my surprise, happened to be the nation’s first nursing school. Over a couple hills and around a few bends we arrived at Four Freedoms Park. Once we arrived, I was way too hot and annoyed with the humidity to even appreciate the park. At this point I was hungry and tired and wanted to go home to take a nice cool shower and sleep in my soft squishy bed. But the day was far from over. Luckily it was the moment I’ve been waiting for. Lunchtime!
After a short train ride, we found ourselves in front of the famous Jackson Diner, an Indian Restaurant. At that moment, they could’ve been serving sweet and sour pigeon toes; I still would’ve eaten it. Once inside the Jackson Diner, the first thing I noticed was that it was air conditioned. I was simply elated, and extremely famished, so I couldn’t wait to dig in to whatever was on the menu. I retrieved a plate and scurried to the buffet where I grabbed a little of everything at the buffet. I didn’t know what anything was but I was more than willing to try it. As I went back to my table I began to dig in and to my astonishment, everything was great. One of my classmates was Indian and able to tell me what each thing was as I cleaned my plate. To my understanding I had tandoori chicken, basmati rice, goat, and mush of varies different colors. The dark brown paste was a beans, the dark green was spinach and cheese, and the dark orange was vegetable with stuffed potatoes. It was good to know what I was eating, and I was happy I ate it because I washed it all down with water and I was immediately full of energy again. And lunchtime was over, so we got up said thank you to the waiters and made our way through the doors to the unforgiving heat. But I had to take it in because we were now on our way to the Museum of the Moving Image.
Though the sun made me feel like I was giving Lucifer a piggyback ride, I was eager to see what the Museum of the Moving Image had to offer. Once we arrived, we walked into what looked like ‘The Twilight Zone’. Everything was crisp white, with streamed lines and a touch of bold colors. The Blue Guide explains that “It’s core exhibit, Behind the Screen, looks at technical aspects of producing movies and TV” (Blue Guide pg.499 par. 4). We took a seat in the auditorium where the tour guide Joel, gave us an introduction to the museum. He explained to us that varies movies and shows were produced here such as Men in Black 3, Sesame Street, and The Cosby Show. He also explained the extensive method of making a movie or a show. He explained to us that after a movie is shot, it must go to a processing lab where the motion pictures are developed and then sent off to an editing house. After the introduction, we were able to roam the museum. I started on the third floor, where we were able to view old fashioned cameras that date back to the 1920’s. It was fascinating to see how the history of television has evolved to what we have now, and how we have become to technologically advanced. We observed the optical toys and we were able to perceive the costumes that were worn in many movies and television shows like The Cosby Show and Mrs.Doubtfire. We even got a chance to play actual games like Pacman, DigDug and Golden Axe. I was so happy that I decided to change two dollars into tokens, because I spent the majority of the time playing those fun games with a fellow classmate. We then proceeded to the second floor where we saw how the make-up and special effects portion of a motion picture is put together. It was amazing to see how they could change a normal man into a yeti, or a fat lady by just using make-up and body mold. All in all, it was a great experience, and I was happy that I got a chance to see what went on behind the screen.
After we left the museum, we went to five points which is the world’s only aerosol museum. It was interesting to see how the five boroughs came as one to transform an old factory into a building covered in art. The artists all collaborate and try to raise awareness that graffiti is actual art and should not only be seen as vandalism.
In conclusion, the day was very long and tiring but I obtained plenty of knowledge of the borough of queens. Until next time……
References
Wright, Carol. New York (Blue Guide). New York: Norton, 1983. Print.
When I first walked through Penn Station for the first day of class, I didn’t know what to expect from this new experience. I had mixed feelings as I walked towards the only group of people that was standing at the designated area. It was easy to spot them out because they were all dressed in sneakers and they also had a mixture of anticipation and nervousness written on their faces. When the professors arrived, they introduced themselves and gave us a brief description of the course. They also explained what we should expect from the day and of those to come. I was excited to see what New York had to offer in its entirety and today was the first glimpse of what to come. We started our day in Manhattan and slowly made our way to Quixotic Queens where we were able to see many beautiful structures and landmarks of our beautiful NY. Though we witnessed the many beautiful cites of Manhattan and Queens, the most memorable of the day was the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, our wonderful lunch at the Jackson Diner and The Museum of the Moving Image.
Before we set out for the day we first took the time to admire the less than stellar Penn Station, where professor pointed out the lack of natural sunlight. We then found ourselves at the NY Public Library. Here we learned that many authors wrote world renowned material. As we admired the Neoclassical design of the exterior and made our way to the magnificent interior, to the Rose Waiting Room. Here, we took 15 minutes to construct what is called a Haiku poem.
“New York the greatest
City that doesn’t sleep
Vibrant and gorgeous”
After leaving the library, we went to splendid Grand Central Terminal. We learned that it was the largest terminal in the world and that Jackie Kennedy saved it from become a modern eyesore. She pushed to keep it in its original state and now it stands here for its 100th anniversary. After leaving the Station we arrived to the super luxurious Waldorf Astoria Hotel. “The Waldorf Astoria Hotel, at 301 Park Ave is still architecturally and socially one of the city’s finest hotels, and an Art Deco landmark” (Blue Guide pg.235 par. 1). I truly loved every minute inside the Waldorf Hotel! It had impeccable taste and a luxurious feel from the minute you walked in. I felt as if I was walking on money, and to see the number of celebrities and world figures that stayed in the hotel was inspiring to me. I wanted to run upstairs and fall asleep on one of their plush mattresses. As we walked through the lobby I noticed a mesmerizing clock right in the center. The Blue Guide explains “The centerpiece of the lobby is clock made for the Chicago Columbian Exposition in 1893. On it are likenesses of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Queen Victoria, and other notables as well as Bronze Plaques representing various sports”(Blue Guide pg.235 par. 3). It was beautiful along with the rest of the lobby, and as much as I wanted to stay we had to continue the long day ahead of us.
After we left the hotel we made our way to the Roosevelt Island Tram. I was curious to know what it was, because I have never heard of one, much less ever seen one. So as we walked through the drizzling rain, and waited at the station, I was engulfed in fear as I watched what was called a ‘Tram’. It was some sort of trolley suspended by three wires. At this point I was sort of reluctant to board this contraption, but I figured ‘what the heck?’ and swallowed my anxiety as I hesitantly entered the Tram. The only thing I remembered from there was me clenching the pole tighter each time the tram swayed from left to right. As we crossed the East River suspended in air, I tried to admire the beauty of 59th Street Bridge but decided to stare at the floor of the trolley instead. When we finally arrived to Roosevelt Island, after what felt like an eternity, I just thanked god for making it here alive. And as I walked on solid ground, I tried to regain my balance because before I knew it we were on our way to the Four Freedoms Park. On the way we witnessed the totally dilapidated building called Streker Laboratory, which to my surprise, happened to be the nation’s first nursing school. Over a couple hills and around a few bends we arrived at Four Freedoms Park. Once we arrived, I was way too hot and annoyed with the humidity to even appreciate the park. At this point I was hungry and tired and wanted to go home to take a nice cool shower and sleep in my soft squishy bed. But the day was far from over. Luckily it was the moment I’ve been waiting for. Lunchtime!
After a short train ride, we found ourselves in front of the famous Jackson Diner, an Indian Restaurant. At that moment, they could’ve been serving sweet and sour pigeon toes; I still would’ve eaten it. Once inside the Jackson Diner, the first thing I noticed was that it was air conditioned. I was simply elated, and extremely famished, so I couldn’t wait to dig in to whatever was on the menu. I retrieved a plate and scurried to the buffet where I grabbed a little of everything at the buffet. I didn’t know what anything was but I was more than willing to try it. As I went back to my table I began to dig in and to my astonishment, everything was great. One of my classmates was Indian and able to tell me what each thing was as I cleaned my plate. To my understanding I had tandoori chicken, basmati rice, goat, and mush of varies different colors. The dark brown paste was a beans, the dark green was spinach and cheese, and the dark orange was vegetable with stuffed potatoes. It was good to know what I was eating, and I was happy I ate it because I washed it all down with water and I was immediately full of energy again. And lunchtime was over, so we got up said thank you to the waiters and made our way through the doors to the unforgiving heat. But I had to take it in because we were now on our way to the Museum of the Moving Image.
Though the sun made me feel like I was giving Lucifer a piggyback ride, I was eager to see what the Museum of the Moving Image had to offer. Once we arrived, we walked into what looked like ‘The Twilight Zone’. Everything was crisp white, with streamed lines and a touch of bold colors. The Blue Guide explains that “It’s core exhibit, Behind the Screen, looks at technical aspects of producing movies and TV” (Blue Guide pg.499 par. 4). We took a seat in the auditorium where the tour guide Joel, gave us an introduction to the museum. He explained to us that varies movies and shows were produced here such as Men in Black 3, Sesame Street, and The Cosby Show. He also explained the extensive method of making a movie or a show. He explained to us that after a movie is shot, it must go to a processing lab where the motion pictures are developed and then sent off to an editing house. After the introduction, we were able to roam the museum. I started on the third floor, where we were able to view old fashioned cameras that date back to the 1920’s. It was fascinating to see how the history of television has evolved to what we have now, and how we have become to technologically advanced. We observed the optical toys and we were able to perceive the costumes that were worn in many movies and television shows like The Cosby Show and Mrs.Doubtfire. We even got a chance to play actual games like Pacman, DigDug and Golden Axe. I was so happy that I decided to change two dollars into tokens, because I spent the majority of the time playing those fun games with a fellow classmate. We then proceeded to the second floor where we saw how the make-up and special effects portion of a motion picture is put together. It was amazing to see how they could change a normal man into a yeti, or a fat lady by just using make-up and body mold. All in all, it was a great experience, and I was happy that I got a chance to see what went on behind the screen.
After we left the museum, we went to five points which is the world’s only aerosol museum. It was interesting to see how the five boroughs came as one to transform an old factory into a building covered in art. The artists all collaborate and try to raise awareness that graffiti is actual art and should not only be seen as vandalism.
In conclusion, the day was very long and tiring but I obtained plenty of knowledge of the borough of queens. Until next time……
References
Wright, Carol. New York (Blue Guide). New York: Norton, 1983. Print.
Bodacious Brooklyn
Day 2- July 12, 2013
It was already the second day of class and I am still feeling pains from the first day! However, I was so excited for what was to come and nervous because I was not sure if I would make it through another scorching hot day in the concrete jungle. Today would be focused on Brooklyn; where we visited many sites and neighborhoods, and learned about many famous builders. But what I enjoyed most was our trip to Coney Island, The Transit Museum and our journey across the Brooklyn Bridge.
After meeting the class in Penn station, we immediately walked one block to 6th Ave and hopped on the 6 train to Coney Island. This 40minute ride was a breath of fresh air because the trolley was air conditioned and it gave us the opportunity to rest our bodies. On our ride to Coney Island, Professor educated us on Brooklyn. He told us that Coney Island was once its own city and was originally settled by the Dutch, who named it Konijn Eland (Rabbit Island) after the rabbits that they found there. He told us that the five boroughs, the way we know it, did not come together until 1898. We also learned that Coney Island was a slum until it underwent gentrification. The Blue Book explains that Coney Island survives as an Archetype of the American honky-tonk, the birthplace of the hotdog and home of the world’s most terrifying roller coaster, a place remarkable for high energy and dubious taste ( Blue Guide pg. 491 par.3). I had a ball here! My classmate and I went on the Soaring Eagle and the Steeple Chase, where we were flung through the air; it was so awesome that I almost forgot that I was in class. After getting off the rides, we went to grab some Nathan’s hotdog, which were great! I had mines with an Auntie Anne’s pretzel. But with limited time, I had to have my lunch on the go. Off to the transit museum.
Sitting on the nice cool train, leaning my weary head on a fellow classmate, I hoped this train ride would never end. But the ride was ultimately ended, and as we walked out to Jay Street and walked down what seemed to be another subway, we were in what turned out to be the Transit Museum that was located in Brooklyn Heights. The Blue guide said ‘This two-level subterranean museum, located in an unused subway station was inaugurated in 1976 for the bicentennial celebrations and proved too popular to close thereafter” (pg. 468 par.3). Professor immediately told us that since the 1950’s, young people used the subway and foreigners flocked to New York because of the excellent public transportation that was available here. We then met up with our guide for the day, who was a sweet gal named Catherine. She clarified that we would be focused on the ‘Steel Stone and Back Bone’ portion of the museum than we would be free to explore the remainder of the museum. She explained that the unused subway station was eventually turned into a place for training aspiring train conductors and for storage. She began the presentation by letting us know that in the 1880’s lower Manhattan was filled with jobs, factories, and shipping. There was an incidence of severe overcrowding and New York was assumed to be the most populated place in the world, and with no way to commute besides walking; It was truly difficult for people to get to where they were going. In 1827, the omnibus came on the scene which was the first form of public transportation in NY. The driver was signaled by a string that was wrapped around his foot and it had a capacity of 12 people. This was a bumpy ride, since the roads were made of cobblestone. In 1830, horse drawn trams set on tracks, with a capacity for 25 people were all the rage. With a smoother ride and comfortable seating, the only problem was the horse poop! New York was definitely a smelly place, until 1888 when sanitation was set in place to clean up the city streets. In 1860, we were given the privilege of riding the all new elevated trains that crisscrossed the island and was run off of steam. This caused the streets to be full of soot and ash (electrified in 1904). YUCK! The main issues here were the soot, ash, and the fact that these trains were exposed to the elements. This proved to be a serious issue when Mother Nature gave New York one of the worst blizzards in American history, leaving 15,000 people stranded for up to 24hours. This is what sparked the idea of underground trains. This was done using a process called deep rock mining where they used dynamite and pick axes to dig humongous holes in the ground. The most difficult job in my opinion was being a sandhog. These workers connected the built tunnels under the water. These men had to stay 15mins in an air lock chamber to adjust to the air pressure. Many of them suffered paralysis, and what they called in those days ‘the bends’ (caissons disease). The shallow tunnels was built using the cut and cover technique, while the deeper tunnels required a blow-out. After learning plenty more facts about NY transit, I was almost brought to tears because it was emotional to think about the back-breaking work that was expelled to accomplish such challenging work, for such low compensation. It gave me a better understanding of the kind of world we live in, and how much we take for granted on a daily basis. And because of all the immigrants and African Americans that worked severely long hours, I will never walk into a subway with the same mindset. The rest of the museum displayed awesome pieces of history and memorabilia, but in my outlook, obtaining the knowledge of the hard work that went into these projects and the history of what REALLY went into the subway system and where we were coming from was absolutely the most valuable part of this museum.
The next stop was Brooklyn Heights, bounded by the East River, sometimes called New York’s first suburb, and also became its first designated Historical District (Blue Guide pg.466 par.4). It was a beautiful neighborhood, complete with an ocean view and nannies pushing prams. It was pleasing to the eye, and with a stoop in front of each brownstone, and fire escapes on every building, it was surely a Brooklyn neighborhood. We walked around the neighborhood, and peeked at the cars zooming on the BQE, as we strolled on the promenade. All while admiring the Brooklyn Bridge. Professor explained it was built by John A. Roebling, who was a superstitious man who died, because believed that he could cure his own foot. The bridge was complete in 1883, under his wife Emily’s supervision. We walked to an ice cream shop where I enjoyed a well-deserved snack, and made our way to that infamous bridge. Before the Brooklyn Bridge, anyone wishing to cross the East river had to take the Fulton Ferry (Blue Guide pg. 464 par. 3). Standing at the beginning of the bridge, I started to feel droplets of water falling from the clear blue sky. I hastily started across the bridge, and then I decided to take it slow as cyclists zipped past. I realized that this was a unique experience and I was determined to enjoy this spectacular opportunity. It took my classmate and I about a half hour to make it to the other end of the bridge. We were so immersed in conversation with each other, and in awe of the magnificence of this beautiful structure that we didn’t notice time flying.
And with our umbrellas ajar, as well as our mouths, we made it across the Brooklyn Bridge for the first time in our lives and through our second class. So until next time…..
References
Wright, Carol. New York (Blue Guide). New York: Norton, 1983. Print.
It was already the second day of class and I am still feeling pains from the first day! However, I was so excited for what was to come and nervous because I was not sure if I would make it through another scorching hot day in the concrete jungle. Today would be focused on Brooklyn; where we visited many sites and neighborhoods, and learned about many famous builders. But what I enjoyed most was our trip to Coney Island, The Transit Museum and our journey across the Brooklyn Bridge.
After meeting the class in Penn station, we immediately walked one block to 6th Ave and hopped on the 6 train to Coney Island. This 40minute ride was a breath of fresh air because the trolley was air conditioned and it gave us the opportunity to rest our bodies. On our ride to Coney Island, Professor educated us on Brooklyn. He told us that Coney Island was once its own city and was originally settled by the Dutch, who named it Konijn Eland (Rabbit Island) after the rabbits that they found there. He told us that the five boroughs, the way we know it, did not come together until 1898. We also learned that Coney Island was a slum until it underwent gentrification. The Blue Book explains that Coney Island survives as an Archetype of the American honky-tonk, the birthplace of the hotdog and home of the world’s most terrifying roller coaster, a place remarkable for high energy and dubious taste ( Blue Guide pg. 491 par.3). I had a ball here! My classmate and I went on the Soaring Eagle and the Steeple Chase, where we were flung through the air; it was so awesome that I almost forgot that I was in class. After getting off the rides, we went to grab some Nathan’s hotdog, which were great! I had mines with an Auntie Anne’s pretzel. But with limited time, I had to have my lunch on the go. Off to the transit museum.
Sitting on the nice cool train, leaning my weary head on a fellow classmate, I hoped this train ride would never end. But the ride was ultimately ended, and as we walked out to Jay Street and walked down what seemed to be another subway, we were in what turned out to be the Transit Museum that was located in Brooklyn Heights. The Blue guide said ‘This two-level subterranean museum, located in an unused subway station was inaugurated in 1976 for the bicentennial celebrations and proved too popular to close thereafter” (pg. 468 par.3). Professor immediately told us that since the 1950’s, young people used the subway and foreigners flocked to New York because of the excellent public transportation that was available here. We then met up with our guide for the day, who was a sweet gal named Catherine. She clarified that we would be focused on the ‘Steel Stone and Back Bone’ portion of the museum than we would be free to explore the remainder of the museum. She explained that the unused subway station was eventually turned into a place for training aspiring train conductors and for storage. She began the presentation by letting us know that in the 1880’s lower Manhattan was filled with jobs, factories, and shipping. There was an incidence of severe overcrowding and New York was assumed to be the most populated place in the world, and with no way to commute besides walking; It was truly difficult for people to get to where they were going. In 1827, the omnibus came on the scene which was the first form of public transportation in NY. The driver was signaled by a string that was wrapped around his foot and it had a capacity of 12 people. This was a bumpy ride, since the roads were made of cobblestone. In 1830, horse drawn trams set on tracks, with a capacity for 25 people were all the rage. With a smoother ride and comfortable seating, the only problem was the horse poop! New York was definitely a smelly place, until 1888 when sanitation was set in place to clean up the city streets. In 1860, we were given the privilege of riding the all new elevated trains that crisscrossed the island and was run off of steam. This caused the streets to be full of soot and ash (electrified in 1904). YUCK! The main issues here were the soot, ash, and the fact that these trains were exposed to the elements. This proved to be a serious issue when Mother Nature gave New York one of the worst blizzards in American history, leaving 15,000 people stranded for up to 24hours. This is what sparked the idea of underground trains. This was done using a process called deep rock mining where they used dynamite and pick axes to dig humongous holes in the ground. The most difficult job in my opinion was being a sandhog. These workers connected the built tunnels under the water. These men had to stay 15mins in an air lock chamber to adjust to the air pressure. Many of them suffered paralysis, and what they called in those days ‘the bends’ (caissons disease). The shallow tunnels was built using the cut and cover technique, while the deeper tunnels required a blow-out. After learning plenty more facts about NY transit, I was almost brought to tears because it was emotional to think about the back-breaking work that was expelled to accomplish such challenging work, for such low compensation. It gave me a better understanding of the kind of world we live in, and how much we take for granted on a daily basis. And because of all the immigrants and African Americans that worked severely long hours, I will never walk into a subway with the same mindset. The rest of the museum displayed awesome pieces of history and memorabilia, but in my outlook, obtaining the knowledge of the hard work that went into these projects and the history of what REALLY went into the subway system and where we were coming from was absolutely the most valuable part of this museum.
The next stop was Brooklyn Heights, bounded by the East River, sometimes called New York’s first suburb, and also became its first designated Historical District (Blue Guide pg.466 par.4). It was a beautiful neighborhood, complete with an ocean view and nannies pushing prams. It was pleasing to the eye, and with a stoop in front of each brownstone, and fire escapes on every building, it was surely a Brooklyn neighborhood. We walked around the neighborhood, and peeked at the cars zooming on the BQE, as we strolled on the promenade. All while admiring the Brooklyn Bridge. Professor explained it was built by John A. Roebling, who was a superstitious man who died, because believed that he could cure his own foot. The bridge was complete in 1883, under his wife Emily’s supervision. We walked to an ice cream shop where I enjoyed a well-deserved snack, and made our way to that infamous bridge. Before the Brooklyn Bridge, anyone wishing to cross the East river had to take the Fulton Ferry (Blue Guide pg. 464 par. 3). Standing at the beginning of the bridge, I started to feel droplets of water falling from the clear blue sky. I hastily started across the bridge, and then I decided to take it slow as cyclists zipped past. I realized that this was a unique experience and I was determined to enjoy this spectacular opportunity. It took my classmate and I about a half hour to make it to the other end of the bridge. We were so immersed in conversation with each other, and in awe of the magnificence of this beautiful structure that we didn’t notice time flying.
And with our umbrellas ajar, as well as our mouths, we made it across the Brooklyn Bridge for the first time in our lives and through our second class. So until next time…..
References
Wright, Carol. New York (Blue Guide). New York: Norton, 1983. Print.
A Tale of Three Villages
Day 3- July 17, 2013
Today was the first day I had a rough time rolling out of bed. I opted for an extra five minutes which turned into twenty. Luckily I made it to class on time. Today we were going to be in the Village of Manhattan. I didn’t know what to expect, but I was excited to see what the day had to offer. I was unusually tired, but at the same time excited for what the day had to offer. We had a full day which felt like it was moving in slow motion because of the heat and my unrested body. Today we visited many places but our trip to Washington Square Park, The Merchants House, and The Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space was the most memorable.
We started our day on the one train to North Houston Street. In the subway, we were greeted by some women on the opposite platform dancing to the beat of the drums. I was super tired today, as I did not get any sleep the night before, so the drums help to wake me up a bit. The train missed three stops, so we had to walk. We ended up in Soho, where professor explained was one of the most exclusive neighborhoods. He stated that Greenwich was the bohemian center, with the largest gay communities. We walked down Bedford Street where we saw the narrowest house in NY. We then walked to The Stonewall Inn, where the gay pride celebrations began. When we got into Washington Square Park, which became a park in 1950, professor explained that it was filled with drug addicts in the 1970’s. Walking through the park, I stopped to admire the pigeons eating lunch with a street dweller and the filming of a television show, right in the center of the park. The park was nice, but I wanted to be indoors because the sun was unforgiving.
When we arrived at The Merchant’s House Museum, which was built in 1832 by Joseph Seabury, we waited on the stoop. The Blue Guide explains that this remarkably preserved Greek Revival house remains from the days when the neighborhood was the city’s finest (Blue Guide pg. 158 par. 1). We were then sent upstairs to a bedroom where we learned from the guide that this neighborhood was suburban, and was filled with the upper and middle class folk in the 1830’s. She explained that this house was sold to the Tredwell’s, who resided in this building for 100 years, after their youngest daughter, Gertrude died in 1933. It became a museum three years later in 1936, by George Chapman. With 90-95% of the homes furnishings being original, it was amazing to know that furniture could last that long. The guide explained to us that merchant men and women, in those days, did not share bedrooms because men and women changed in different rooms. This was also because death and birth took place in the bedrooms. I found it interesting that when death happened in a family, the wife must go through mourning, where she was expected to where black for up to two years. She also, explained that the parlor was ‘a stage’, and it was not proper etiquette to touch your hair or face, in any other place besides your bedroom. As we walked through the home, I had an eerie feeling. It was like ghosts still occupied the home, and was participating in the tour with us. They had up to 4 servants ranging from 18-40 years old that were mostly Irish immigrants, who were expected to keep the house clean and carry heavy buckets of coal from the cellar to each room to empty the ashes and replace the coal. The cooks were responsible for making three meals a day for a family of 14-17 people. The house was filled with gasoliers (gas chandeliers), and used mirrors and prisms to offer additional light. In the family room, I was able to see a 19th century plate warmer, and learn that the carpets were all hand sewn. All in all, it was an interesting experience to see how merchants lived in the 1800’s.
After leaving the museum, it was time for lunch! We headed to Dallas BBQ’s, where I enjoyed fried clams on a bed of lettuce and cole-slaw with tartar sauce. After lunch we visited Tompkins Square Park. The first thing I noticed here was that the smell of urine and garbage was stifling. Professor explained that in the 1980’s you would’ve easily been raped, mugged or murdered in this park, and that it was drug ridden. Through the years it has witnessed two historic riots and many political demonstrations sparked by poor economic conditions, oppressive labor relations, the Vietnam War, and gentrification, among other causes (Blue Guide pg. 167 par. 1). Walking through the park, I observed that there were many squatters, as well as a dog run. After making it out of the park, we ended up at the Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space. We thought it was closed until a young lady peaked out and called Joe. We went inside the museum where they had photos of activism and books about the Village. She began to explain that the museum was for urban activism and that the neighborhood was run down. She stated that in the Museum for Reclaimed Urban Space, they document living culture. She said that in the 70’s and 80’s, the East Side was a bad neighborhood, where whites did not go and the government cut back on schools and sanitation. The East Side was considered to be expendable. When Joe arrived we went across the street to the garden. He explained that it was once a breeding ground for rats and drug addicts, but was turned into a community friendly space in 1977. The Green Thumb program was responsible for saving gardens in this area. We then went to another park, which we were able to explore. He explained the composting process, which smelled like death, and the repurposed tins, cans and containers used for barbed-wire. Joe was a great guy, and had a passion for what he does. I was just very tired and unfortunately bored with the presentation about the buildings. I tried over and over to stay involved, but found myself falling asleep while standing up.
Today I learned a lot about the history of the Village. And I learned a great lesson. This is to get adequate rest the night before class. I honestly felt that I would’ve enjoyed the class more if I wasn’t so tired. Until next time……
References
Wright, Carol. New York (Blue Guide). New York: Norton, 1983. Print.
Today was the first day I had a rough time rolling out of bed. I opted for an extra five minutes which turned into twenty. Luckily I made it to class on time. Today we were going to be in the Village of Manhattan. I didn’t know what to expect, but I was excited to see what the day had to offer. I was unusually tired, but at the same time excited for what the day had to offer. We had a full day which felt like it was moving in slow motion because of the heat and my unrested body. Today we visited many places but our trip to Washington Square Park, The Merchants House, and The Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space was the most memorable.
We started our day on the one train to North Houston Street. In the subway, we were greeted by some women on the opposite platform dancing to the beat of the drums. I was super tired today, as I did not get any sleep the night before, so the drums help to wake me up a bit. The train missed three stops, so we had to walk. We ended up in Soho, where professor explained was one of the most exclusive neighborhoods. He stated that Greenwich was the bohemian center, with the largest gay communities. We walked down Bedford Street where we saw the narrowest house in NY. We then walked to The Stonewall Inn, where the gay pride celebrations began. When we got into Washington Square Park, which became a park in 1950, professor explained that it was filled with drug addicts in the 1970’s. Walking through the park, I stopped to admire the pigeons eating lunch with a street dweller and the filming of a television show, right in the center of the park. The park was nice, but I wanted to be indoors because the sun was unforgiving.
When we arrived at The Merchant’s House Museum, which was built in 1832 by Joseph Seabury, we waited on the stoop. The Blue Guide explains that this remarkably preserved Greek Revival house remains from the days when the neighborhood was the city’s finest (Blue Guide pg. 158 par. 1). We were then sent upstairs to a bedroom where we learned from the guide that this neighborhood was suburban, and was filled with the upper and middle class folk in the 1830’s. She explained that this house was sold to the Tredwell’s, who resided in this building for 100 years, after their youngest daughter, Gertrude died in 1933. It became a museum three years later in 1936, by George Chapman. With 90-95% of the homes furnishings being original, it was amazing to know that furniture could last that long. The guide explained to us that merchant men and women, in those days, did not share bedrooms because men and women changed in different rooms. This was also because death and birth took place in the bedrooms. I found it interesting that when death happened in a family, the wife must go through mourning, where she was expected to where black for up to two years. She also, explained that the parlor was ‘a stage’, and it was not proper etiquette to touch your hair or face, in any other place besides your bedroom. As we walked through the home, I had an eerie feeling. It was like ghosts still occupied the home, and was participating in the tour with us. They had up to 4 servants ranging from 18-40 years old that were mostly Irish immigrants, who were expected to keep the house clean and carry heavy buckets of coal from the cellar to each room to empty the ashes and replace the coal. The cooks were responsible for making three meals a day for a family of 14-17 people. The house was filled with gasoliers (gas chandeliers), and used mirrors and prisms to offer additional light. In the family room, I was able to see a 19th century plate warmer, and learn that the carpets were all hand sewn. All in all, it was an interesting experience to see how merchants lived in the 1800’s.
After leaving the museum, it was time for lunch! We headed to Dallas BBQ’s, where I enjoyed fried clams on a bed of lettuce and cole-slaw with tartar sauce. After lunch we visited Tompkins Square Park. The first thing I noticed here was that the smell of urine and garbage was stifling. Professor explained that in the 1980’s you would’ve easily been raped, mugged or murdered in this park, and that it was drug ridden. Through the years it has witnessed two historic riots and many political demonstrations sparked by poor economic conditions, oppressive labor relations, the Vietnam War, and gentrification, among other causes (Blue Guide pg. 167 par. 1). Walking through the park, I observed that there were many squatters, as well as a dog run. After making it out of the park, we ended up at the Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space. We thought it was closed until a young lady peaked out and called Joe. We went inside the museum where they had photos of activism and books about the Village. She began to explain that the museum was for urban activism and that the neighborhood was run down. She stated that in the Museum for Reclaimed Urban Space, they document living culture. She said that in the 70’s and 80’s, the East Side was a bad neighborhood, where whites did not go and the government cut back on schools and sanitation. The East Side was considered to be expendable. When Joe arrived we went across the street to the garden. He explained that it was once a breeding ground for rats and drug addicts, but was turned into a community friendly space in 1977. The Green Thumb program was responsible for saving gardens in this area. We then went to another park, which we were able to explore. He explained the composting process, which smelled like death, and the repurposed tins, cans and containers used for barbed-wire. Joe was a great guy, and had a passion for what he does. I was just very tired and unfortunately bored with the presentation about the buildings. I tried over and over to stay involved, but found myself falling asleep while standing up.
Today I learned a lot about the history of the Village. And I learned a great lesson. This is to get adequate rest the night before class. I honestly felt that I would’ve enjoyed the class more if I wasn’t so tired. Until next time……
References
Wright, Carol. New York (Blue Guide). New York: Norton, 1983. Print.