Impressions of NY
New York is a very diverse state. With its many cities and towns it is no wonder many tourists come to New York. New York City is probably one of the most popular cities known to the world. It is full of culture and diversity. Even though we hear about the usual rude attitudes and busy traffic, NYC is definitely more than that. With its amazing architecture and scenery there is no reason to want to get to know more about its history. Every time I go into the city it is like I am pushing my way through crowds and avoiding getting run over but impatient drivers. Some may become overwhelmed with such tall buildings and the abundance of people and traffic but it is almost like a rush to me. All of the people in this busy city are all going to different places.
Penn Station is probably the place to see first hand how big New York is. When I look at all the stops that trains go to it is crazy to think how many destinations these trains go to. Subways and taxis full of people going from place to place. The vibe that New York in general, especially after 9/11, is a feeling of unity and togetherness and that is why people are drawn to it. After that day it was essential that New Yorkers united to show that we were not weak and would not let those who tried to disrupt our state win over us. I have always wanted to move to the city and I am very excited that I will be able to learn how to get around as well as visit all of these different places planned for us.
I have lived on Long Island for many years and have gone into the city various times but mostly for shopping or just going for the day. We all don't really take the time to admire the scenery and visit the places that make our state so diverse and interesting. Its history and stories are also not told enough about and it is important for us to know. Sites like the Statue of Liberty or the location of where the World Trade Centers were are parts of history that only pertain to NY. With so many museums and restaurants it is almost impossible to learn about everything in these few weeks but it will definitely be a class to remember. New York and its many boroughs and towns all have different stories to them and not many have the chance to take a class that fully admires it.
New York is a very diverse state. With its many cities and towns it is no wonder many tourists come to New York. New York City is probably one of the most popular cities known to the world. It is full of culture and diversity. Even though we hear about the usual rude attitudes and busy traffic, NYC is definitely more than that. With its amazing architecture and scenery there is no reason to want to get to know more about its history. Every time I go into the city it is like I am pushing my way through crowds and avoiding getting run over but impatient drivers. Some may become overwhelmed with such tall buildings and the abundance of people and traffic but it is almost like a rush to me. All of the people in this busy city are all going to different places.
Penn Station is probably the place to see first hand how big New York is. When I look at all the stops that trains go to it is crazy to think how many destinations these trains go to. Subways and taxis full of people going from place to place. The vibe that New York in general, especially after 9/11, is a feeling of unity and togetherness and that is why people are drawn to it. After that day it was essential that New Yorkers united to show that we were not weak and would not let those who tried to disrupt our state win over us. I have always wanted to move to the city and I am very excited that I will be able to learn how to get around as well as visit all of these different places planned for us.
I have lived on Long Island for many years and have gone into the city various times but mostly for shopping or just going for the day. We all don't really take the time to admire the scenery and visit the places that make our state so diverse and interesting. Its history and stories are also not told enough about and it is important for us to know. Sites like the Statue of Liberty or the location of where the World Trade Centers were are parts of history that only pertain to NY. With so many museums and restaurants it is almost impossible to learn about everything in these few weeks but it will definitely be a class to remember. New York and its many boroughs and towns all have different stories to them and not many have the chance to take a class that fully admires it.
Bodacious Brooklyn
June 7, 2013
Today's adventure was definitely a good start to the class. As I woke up that morning I was excited to finally get away for a day and curious as to the places we were about to go to since I have never been to any except Penn Station. Living in Lindenhurst it is definitely a long ride into the city but I knew it would be worth it. Once getting to Penn Station I got excited and also prepared to walk for miles. I have never liked taking the subway but have heard of Coney Island for years and have always wanted to visit.
We began our journey by taking the D train for an hour and 15 minute ride into Coney Island. Coney Island has been around for years. It is a tourist attraction with games, rides and of course the beach. The Cyclone and the Wonder Wheel are rides that are still operative and is why Coney Island is still up and running. Another reason is having Nathan's Famous which was founded in 1916 and is now used for various eating competitions and also feeding hundreds that visit Coney Island (BG, Page 492). We were able to sit on the beach and discuss about the class and we saw how the beach was full of visitors enjoying such a beautiful day. Most of us also got to eat at the Nathan's Famous and also go on the rides there. Overall the trip to Coney Island definitely made me interested in coming back with my family.
The next stop was the New York Transit Museum. It is a very unique museum for the simple fact that it was once a operative subway now turned into a museum. It includes exhibits on buses, bridges, and tunnels but a big emphasis on the subway and its history (BG, Page 468). There are many photographs about the construction of subways and the history of the Sandhogs who were the men who made the subways happen. These brave men went through very dangerous conditions but with their hard work the subways were made and are now an important manner of transportation in New York. Another topic was the subway station at City Hall which is unused but very beautiful subway station. In the bottoms level of the museum they had a series of old subway cars which were all different in design. It was nice getting a tour and seeing the actual subway trains because it shows how we have evolved.
By 4 p.m. we had reached walking 3 miles in total. As tired as I was I was excited to go to Brooklyn Heights which is somewhere I have not heard about. I have family that lives in Brooklyn but I have not been in this part. The East River and the three bridges that connect Brooklyn to the city which are the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge and Williamsburg bridge all have a history that makes Brooklyn so unique (BG, Page 461). As we walked through this beautiful town it was nice seeing such nice buildings and the churches that have been there for years. This town is known for its fine families, its churches, and its clergymen (BG, Page 466). The architecture and different styles of construction were also interesting to see. We saw Neoclassical, Renaissance, and other styles throughout the tour. After touring Brooklyn Heights we were set to walk over the Brooklyn Bridge.
The Brooklyn Bridge is one of New York's great landmarks and is one of the most admired by tourists. It spans 1, 595 ft across the East River and it took us about less than 15 minutes to cross the bridge. It was interesting learning about the family that built the bridge which was the Roebling family (BG, Page 466). John A. Roebling's design for a suspension bridge took a lot of thought in order for it to be properly built. But with the help from other workers and his family the bridge has lasted for more than 125 years to date.
By the end of the night I was exhausted but could not believe how much we covered in a day. The places we visited were definitely places I probably wouldn't have visited on my own and I'm happy we did. I cannot wait for next Tuesday's adventure.
June 7, 2013
Today's adventure was definitely a good start to the class. As I woke up that morning I was excited to finally get away for a day and curious as to the places we were about to go to since I have never been to any except Penn Station. Living in Lindenhurst it is definitely a long ride into the city but I knew it would be worth it. Once getting to Penn Station I got excited and also prepared to walk for miles. I have never liked taking the subway but have heard of Coney Island for years and have always wanted to visit.
We began our journey by taking the D train for an hour and 15 minute ride into Coney Island. Coney Island has been around for years. It is a tourist attraction with games, rides and of course the beach. The Cyclone and the Wonder Wheel are rides that are still operative and is why Coney Island is still up and running. Another reason is having Nathan's Famous which was founded in 1916 and is now used for various eating competitions and also feeding hundreds that visit Coney Island (BG, Page 492). We were able to sit on the beach and discuss about the class and we saw how the beach was full of visitors enjoying such a beautiful day. Most of us also got to eat at the Nathan's Famous and also go on the rides there. Overall the trip to Coney Island definitely made me interested in coming back with my family.
The next stop was the New York Transit Museum. It is a very unique museum for the simple fact that it was once a operative subway now turned into a museum. It includes exhibits on buses, bridges, and tunnels but a big emphasis on the subway and its history (BG, Page 468). There are many photographs about the construction of subways and the history of the Sandhogs who were the men who made the subways happen. These brave men went through very dangerous conditions but with their hard work the subways were made and are now an important manner of transportation in New York. Another topic was the subway station at City Hall which is unused but very beautiful subway station. In the bottoms level of the museum they had a series of old subway cars which were all different in design. It was nice getting a tour and seeing the actual subway trains because it shows how we have evolved.
By 4 p.m. we had reached walking 3 miles in total. As tired as I was I was excited to go to Brooklyn Heights which is somewhere I have not heard about. I have family that lives in Brooklyn but I have not been in this part. The East River and the three bridges that connect Brooklyn to the city which are the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge and Williamsburg bridge all have a history that makes Brooklyn so unique (BG, Page 461). As we walked through this beautiful town it was nice seeing such nice buildings and the churches that have been there for years. This town is known for its fine families, its churches, and its clergymen (BG, Page 466). The architecture and different styles of construction were also interesting to see. We saw Neoclassical, Renaissance, and other styles throughout the tour. After touring Brooklyn Heights we were set to walk over the Brooklyn Bridge.
The Brooklyn Bridge is one of New York's great landmarks and is one of the most admired by tourists. It spans 1, 595 ft across the East River and it took us about less than 15 minutes to cross the bridge. It was interesting learning about the family that built the bridge which was the Roebling family (BG, Page 466). John A. Roebling's design for a suspension bridge took a lot of thought in order for it to be properly built. But with the help from other workers and his family the bridge has lasted for more than 125 years to date.
By the end of the night I was exhausted but could not believe how much we covered in a day. The places we visited were definitely places I probably wouldn't have visited on my own and I'm happy we did. I cannot wait for next Tuesday's adventure.
A Tale of Three Villages
June 11, 2013
The day began at Penn Station as usual and we spoke about our first stop of the day which was Greenwich Village. We then took the 1 train to Houston Street. From there we walked down to Bedford Street where we were able to see a little about the atmosphere of the area which was full of small cafes and brick houses. We also saw the White Horse Tavern which opened in 1880 and is still a great stop to go eat and drink for visitors and residents. Greenwich Village is probably known mostly for its gay and lesbian community, especially on Christopher Street.
Once there we walked through streets with flags and stores with sexual toys and signs promoting gay rights. Christopher Park is a small park in this town which has statues of those who launched the movement. Because of its long-standing tolerance, the homosexual community has been living there for many years and has been the base to activist movements (BG, Page 129). As we walked through the streets we came upon a man that was asking us if we wanted to stand up to gay rights. This showed how people are so involved with this community and making sure that the hope and strength of this community stays alive. We also came upon the Stonewall Inn which has a great history to it. It was a major turning point in the fight for gay civil rights. It was a time where many gays had to join together against the police force and demand for their rights (BG, Page 130). This village was very interesting to me because it was nice to see how everyone dressed however they were dressing went about their day without caring about stares or whispers. It is hard for certain people to feel confident with their sexuality but it was nice seeing a community that was united and no one was made fun of or looked in a bad way.
We then passed the Northern Dispensary which was built in 1831 and offered free medical attention to the poor (BG, Page 130). That is something that really made me interested particularly because I am a nursing student. To me caring for all people no matter their status is important because everyone deserves to be cared for. Neglecting someone from care could result in death and could lead to other problems in the future for the patient. Washington Square Park was a beautiful park that we toured. It was saved from demolition in the 1950s and is now surrounded by NYU buildings which makes it a great place for students to visit. It also has its famous arch which was built by Stanford White in the Northern entrance of the park (BG, Page 131. We saw many families and people of all ages there and it was definitely a wonderful place to spend the day at.
Merchant's House Museum was the next stop which included a guided tour. This house belonged to the Tredwill family. It is a three story house and has most of the original furniture and appliances that belonged to the owners. What was interesting was how luxurious they lived and we were able to see how their day would normally go in this house. The role of the maids and also the life of the children of this family were spoken about. Seabury and Gertrude Tredwill, which were father and daughter, both died in this house which was also a scary but interesting fact (BG, Page 158).
Lastly we went to the Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space (MoRUS). This is where we learned about the East Villages' community gardens and also the history pertaining to the East Village and activism. This was probably the most history packed part of the day but it was definitely very interesting. The gardens were all so beautiful and each unique in their own way. From the sculptures to the art on the fences they were all different and special in their own ways. Learning about the preserved gardens and their effect on the community was very nice to hear and also made me admire this town a lot more. The tour guide gave us a tour of the gardens and also Tompkins Square Park. This park has witnessed two historic riots and many political demonstrations. The first in 1874 and the second in 1988 (BG, Page 167). Overall I learned a lot this day about another town I haven't visited and I enjoyed it very much.
The day began at Penn Station as usual and we spoke about our first stop of the day which was Greenwich Village. We then took the 1 train to Houston Street. From there we walked down to Bedford Street where we were able to see a little about the atmosphere of the area which was full of small cafes and brick houses. We also saw the White Horse Tavern which opened in 1880 and is still a great stop to go eat and drink for visitors and residents. Greenwich Village is probably known mostly for its gay and lesbian community, especially on Christopher Street.
Once there we walked through streets with flags and stores with sexual toys and signs promoting gay rights. Christopher Park is a small park in this town which has statues of those who launched the movement. Because of its long-standing tolerance, the homosexual community has been living there for many years and has been the base to activist movements (BG, Page 129). As we walked through the streets we came upon a man that was asking us if we wanted to stand up to gay rights. This showed how people are so involved with this community and making sure that the hope and strength of this community stays alive. We also came upon the Stonewall Inn which has a great history to it. It was a major turning point in the fight for gay civil rights. It was a time where many gays had to join together against the police force and demand for their rights (BG, Page 130). This village was very interesting to me because it was nice to see how everyone dressed however they were dressing went about their day without caring about stares or whispers. It is hard for certain people to feel confident with their sexuality but it was nice seeing a community that was united and no one was made fun of or looked in a bad way.
We then passed the Northern Dispensary which was built in 1831 and offered free medical attention to the poor (BG, Page 130). That is something that really made me interested particularly because I am a nursing student. To me caring for all people no matter their status is important because everyone deserves to be cared for. Neglecting someone from care could result in death and could lead to other problems in the future for the patient. Washington Square Park was a beautiful park that we toured. It was saved from demolition in the 1950s and is now surrounded by NYU buildings which makes it a great place for students to visit. It also has its famous arch which was built by Stanford White in the Northern entrance of the park (BG, Page 131. We saw many families and people of all ages there and it was definitely a wonderful place to spend the day at.
Merchant's House Museum was the next stop which included a guided tour. This house belonged to the Tredwill family. It is a three story house and has most of the original furniture and appliances that belonged to the owners. What was interesting was how luxurious they lived and we were able to see how their day would normally go in this house. The role of the maids and also the life of the children of this family were spoken about. Seabury and Gertrude Tredwill, which were father and daughter, both died in this house which was also a scary but interesting fact (BG, Page 158).
Lastly we went to the Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space (MoRUS). This is where we learned about the East Villages' community gardens and also the history pertaining to the East Village and activism. This was probably the most history packed part of the day but it was definitely very interesting. The gardens were all so beautiful and each unique in their own way. From the sculptures to the art on the fences they were all different and special in their own ways. Learning about the preserved gardens and their effect on the community was very nice to hear and also made me admire this town a lot more. The tour guide gave us a tour of the gardens and also Tompkins Square Park. This park has witnessed two historic riots and many political demonstrations. The first in 1874 and the second in 1988 (BG, Page 167). Overall I learned a lot this day about another town I haven't visited and I enjoyed it very much.
East of the Park
June 13, 2013
The day began with us meeting at Penn Station as usual. From there we took the Times Square Shuttle (S Train) to Grand Central Station and then took the 6 train uptown to East Harlem. We stopped at 103 Street where we would walk over to the Museum of the City of New York. There were would see many exhibits and a film about the history of New York. The video was definitely a great way to some up what we have seen in New York so far as well as how much is left to see. New Yorks' history is very long and that is why it is one of the most popular states in the United States. I learned so much with that movie about New York that I did not know about. New York had been bought by the Dutch for $24 and was named New Amsterdam but then New York after the Duke of York. It was not even close to the size of how it is now. Then we learned about the industrial movement that paved New York and made it famous in the late 1840s. Sky-scrappers, immigrants and subways and highways would make New York a beautiful and diverse state. There was an exhibit on the designer Stephen Burrows whose clothes are full of life and movement. It is cool to see the museum display them the way they do because we are able to see the beauty of the clothes.
After the museum we walked over to meet our tour guide Lucas or "Luke". He seemed to be a down to earth guy who was excited to tell us the many stories of Spanish Harlem or "El Barrio". I was personally born in the Dominican Republic and the Spanish culture in this neighborhood definitely made me interested in learning about it. He was very knowledgeable about the history of the murals we saw which were amazing. Mosaic designs on walls and big murals which in themselves have so many stories about the neighborhood and also the Spanish culture itself. It was also cool that that spoke to us in Spanish and also shared with us one of his poems. It shows his passion for what he does and it was definitely a great experience to spend that time with him. A few of us ate at "El Caribeno" which was a very inexpensive restaurant. I got my traditional foods which tasted as if I was at my grandmas house in the Dominican Republic. I really enjoyed eating there.
We then went through a lot of Central Park. Central Park is probably one of the most well known parks in the United States. Frederick Law Olmsted was the designer and the park was opened in 1873. It contains various sites like a reservoir, Strawberry Berry fields and many gardens that are full of flowers and also amazing views (BG, Page 290). All around Central Park there are various places that people can visit and see. One being the Dakota which is the famous hotel that John Lennon had stayed at before dying. The park also has a mosaic with the words "Imagine" remembering him and his songs. Many fans come together and admire this part of the park because they wish to honor their idol (BG, Page 292).
The next stop was the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Metropolitan Museum of Art has many types of art. Examples are Greek, Modern art, European sculptures, Egyptian art and also arms and armor displays (BG, Pages 328 - 331). Unfortunately we got there late with only a few minutes to see exhibits. I was able to see the Punk exhibit which has many interesting articles of clothing that pertain to that era and style. There were clothes made out of bottle tops, trash bags and paper. One designer Rei Kawakubo used cutouts and see through fabric which are very much in style now. I was also able to see some art from Seurat (BG, Page 355). His art is very unique because he uses dots as if he was brushing on paint. We are able to see the images without noticing they are all dots. He is definitely remembered for that because it so unique to the regular artist who uses brushes and just smugges the paint on paper or board.
It was a fun day of new sight seeing and learning new things about New York City and East Harlem!
June 13, 2013
The day began with us meeting at Penn Station as usual. From there we took the Times Square Shuttle (S Train) to Grand Central Station and then took the 6 train uptown to East Harlem. We stopped at 103 Street where we would walk over to the Museum of the City of New York. There were would see many exhibits and a film about the history of New York. The video was definitely a great way to some up what we have seen in New York so far as well as how much is left to see. New Yorks' history is very long and that is why it is one of the most popular states in the United States. I learned so much with that movie about New York that I did not know about. New York had been bought by the Dutch for $24 and was named New Amsterdam but then New York after the Duke of York. It was not even close to the size of how it is now. Then we learned about the industrial movement that paved New York and made it famous in the late 1840s. Sky-scrappers, immigrants and subways and highways would make New York a beautiful and diverse state. There was an exhibit on the designer Stephen Burrows whose clothes are full of life and movement. It is cool to see the museum display them the way they do because we are able to see the beauty of the clothes.
After the museum we walked over to meet our tour guide Lucas or "Luke". He seemed to be a down to earth guy who was excited to tell us the many stories of Spanish Harlem or "El Barrio". I was personally born in the Dominican Republic and the Spanish culture in this neighborhood definitely made me interested in learning about it. He was very knowledgeable about the history of the murals we saw which were amazing. Mosaic designs on walls and big murals which in themselves have so many stories about the neighborhood and also the Spanish culture itself. It was also cool that that spoke to us in Spanish and also shared with us one of his poems. It shows his passion for what he does and it was definitely a great experience to spend that time with him. A few of us ate at "El Caribeno" which was a very inexpensive restaurant. I got my traditional foods which tasted as if I was at my grandmas house in the Dominican Republic. I really enjoyed eating there.
We then went through a lot of Central Park. Central Park is probably one of the most well known parks in the United States. Frederick Law Olmsted was the designer and the park was opened in 1873. It contains various sites like a reservoir, Strawberry Berry fields and many gardens that are full of flowers and also amazing views (BG, Page 290). All around Central Park there are various places that people can visit and see. One being the Dakota which is the famous hotel that John Lennon had stayed at before dying. The park also has a mosaic with the words "Imagine" remembering him and his songs. Many fans come together and admire this part of the park because they wish to honor their idol (BG, Page 292).
The next stop was the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Metropolitan Museum of Art has many types of art. Examples are Greek, Modern art, European sculptures, Egyptian art and also arms and armor displays (BG, Pages 328 - 331). Unfortunately we got there late with only a few minutes to see exhibits. I was able to see the Punk exhibit which has many interesting articles of clothing that pertain to that era and style. There were clothes made out of bottle tops, trash bags and paper. One designer Rei Kawakubo used cutouts and see through fabric which are very much in style now. I was also able to see some art from Seurat (BG, Page 355). His art is very unique because he uses dots as if he was brushing on paint. We are able to see the images without noticing they are all dots. He is definitely remembered for that because it so unique to the regular artist who uses brushes and just smugges the paint on paper or board.
It was a fun day of new sight seeing and learning new things about New York City and East Harlem!