Journal 1
IMPRESSIONS OF NEW YORK
I arrived in New York City 33 years ago from the beautiful island of Jamaica. The large buildings and incredible architecture of New York captivated me as soon as I left the airport. I first took a tour around the borough of Manhattan; it was way different from anything I have seen in Jamaica. The buildings were so massive and everyone seemed to be in a rush. This is when I truly understood the definition of culture shock. In Jamaica everyone is so relaxed and easy going, which was very different to what I noticed in New York, everyone was on a mission and determined to get there. It was also a shock seeing the different ethnic groups and how they were able to integrate their common norms with a New York “flare.”
Tourism has been a very important part of the city’s economy. It generates millions of dollars, which is an asset to any city. The different ethnic groups that live in New York make it different from all the other states. For example, if you are Chinese and live in Chinatown, you’re able to assimilate with your own people and also have access to your own food. New York City is famous for its ethnic diversity, manifesting itself in many communities, and it represents every nation on earth. That is why it’s called the melting pot or the big apple everyone is able to get a bite. Due to the ethnic diversity, no matter what country we are from, we are able to fit in. As a Jamaican who lives in Rosedale Queens, I have access to my Jamaican food, music, and able to socialize with my fellow Jamaican people.
I have traveled to many places within the United States, but New York City is one of the best, it is the city that never sleeps and draws all type of people here. In New York there is no need to drive the MTA is always willing and able to take you from the corners of Staten Island to the far crevasses of Queens. You can sample and array of different ethnicity from the Spanish infused culture of the South Bronx to Labor Day Parade on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn. I am looking forward to the opportunity that this class gives, where I will be able to learn more about other places in New York City.
Tourism has been a very important part of the city’s economy. It generates millions of dollars, which is an asset to any city. The different ethnic groups that live in New York make it different from all the other states. For example, if you are Chinese and live in Chinatown, you’re able to assimilate with your own people and also have access to your own food. New York City is famous for its ethnic diversity, manifesting itself in many communities, and it represents every nation on earth. That is why it’s called the melting pot or the big apple everyone is able to get a bite. Due to the ethnic diversity, no matter what country we are from, we are able to fit in. As a Jamaican who lives in Rosedale Queens, I have access to my Jamaican food, music, and able to socialize with my fellow Jamaican people.
I have traveled to many places within the United States, but New York City is one of the best, it is the city that never sleeps and draws all type of people here. In New York there is no need to drive the MTA is always willing and able to take you from the corners of Staten Island to the far crevasses of Queens. You can sample and array of different ethnicity from the Spanish infused culture of the South Bronx to Labor Day Parade on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn. I am looking forward to the opportunity that this class gives, where I will be able to learn more about other places in New York City.
QUIXOTIC QUEENS
It has been over a decade since I’ve taken the subway and surprisingly, nothing has changed. On my journey to meet with the group at Penn Station, commuters were hustling and bustling through the humid metro. I would say that that’s quite typical for the city that never sleeps.
When I got to Penn Station, the professor and group members were all there and we were ready to start our day. Penn Station was established in 1910 and for many years, it was amongst the busiest subways in the US. The architects of this pink marble structural work of art were McKim, Meade, and White.
http://manhattan.about.com/od/gettingaround/a/pennstation.htm
Initially, the subway was the main mode of transportation. This changed when Robert Moses developed roadways and highways to facilitate transit via motor vehicles. The original Penn Station was annihilated as it was underused due to the newly introduced transportation method. Madison Square Garden was constructed and so was the smaller Penn Station. Like Penn Station, the Grand Central Station is a major subway located in New York City’s borough of Manhattan and opened its doors in the 20th century. Plans were set in place to demolish the Grand Central Station, but with thanks to Jackie Onasis Kennedy, President Kennedy’s wife, implementations were made to preserve this historic landmark.
The New York Public Library- The Stephen Schwarzman Building
In the library,
the design of the building,
was magnificent.
Our next stop was at the New York Public Library-The Stephen Schwarzman Building. The building of this monumental masterpiece was established in 1911. Breathtakingly designed with neoclassical columns, the exterior architecture had us eagerly anticipating what to expect on the inside. Upon entering the library, we were astounded by the atmospheric McGraw Rotunda and especially the dramatic design of the ceiling. From the McGraw Rotunda, we went to the Rose Reading room. This reading room is fully equipped with computers and miles of books and encyclopedias on either side of the room. As one who utilizes the library, this would be the ideal place to study and do my assignments. I was impressed by the Rose room as it accommodates a large number of occupants and yet it was still extremely silent. http://www.nypl.org/locations/tid/36/node/65791
Roosevelt Island
We then proceeded to the Tram Station where I had my very first experience riding the tramway to Roosevelt Island. It was somewhat a nerve-racking experience for me as we had to travel over water in a small tram car. I was relieved that the ride was not lengthy. Roosevelt Island got its name from former President, Franklin D. Roosevelt. It was originally inhabited by the Agape Indians and was then taken over by the Dutch. To date, Roosevelt Island is occupied by 12,000 people, 40% are Caucasian and 60% are of mixed decent.
The recently opened FDR Four Freedoms Park is one of the main attractions of the island. At the entrance of the park, lies the park’s well maintained lawn which is bordered on both sides by 120 littleleaf linden trees. Another historic landmark is the Small Pox Hospital. This partly demolished building was added to the list of buildings on Roosevelt Island worthy of being referred to as a landmark. Lastly is the 1,050 pound statue at the park’s entrance of President Roosevelt which was created by Jo Davidson in 1933. http://www.fdrfourfreedomspark.org/pages/key-facts-park
Jackson Diner
After leaving the park, we went for a much deserving break at the Jackson Diner in Jackson Heights. This restaurant specializes in Indian cuisine. However, the group was given the opportunity to choose between Indian food and McDonald’s. To my surprise, the entire group chose the Indian restaurant. The menu offered several dishes including items I was familiar with such as curried goat and white rice which I enjoyed. I also tried other dishes which includes ‘Murg Kadai’ which I was not quite fond of. The other student’s comments on the food vary; some enjoyed their meals, others didn’t. I was rather astonished by the cultural diversity of the patrons in the restaurant. Not only were there Indians, but people from different ethnic backgrounds dined together enjoying their meals. The staff of the restaurant was very welcoming and we dined in comfort. I would definitely recommend this restaurant to my friends and family and look forward to dining there in the future. This restaurant was highly recommended by Professor Russo and in my opinion, this was a great choice.
This was a very fulfilling day as I got to visit new places which I learnt a lot from. If it wasn’t for this class, I wouldn’t have gotten the opportunity to explore my own backyard.
When I got to Penn Station, the professor and group members were all there and we were ready to start our day. Penn Station was established in 1910 and for many years, it was amongst the busiest subways in the US. The architects of this pink marble structural work of art were McKim, Meade, and White.
http://manhattan.about.com/od/gettingaround/a/pennstation.htm
Initially, the subway was the main mode of transportation. This changed when Robert Moses developed roadways and highways to facilitate transit via motor vehicles. The original Penn Station was annihilated as it was underused due to the newly introduced transportation method. Madison Square Garden was constructed and so was the smaller Penn Station. Like Penn Station, the Grand Central Station is a major subway located in New York City’s borough of Manhattan and opened its doors in the 20th century. Plans were set in place to demolish the Grand Central Station, but with thanks to Jackie Onasis Kennedy, President Kennedy’s wife, implementations were made to preserve this historic landmark.
The New York Public Library- The Stephen Schwarzman Building
In the library,
the design of the building,
was magnificent.
Our next stop was at the New York Public Library-The Stephen Schwarzman Building. The building of this monumental masterpiece was established in 1911. Breathtakingly designed with neoclassical columns, the exterior architecture had us eagerly anticipating what to expect on the inside. Upon entering the library, we were astounded by the atmospheric McGraw Rotunda and especially the dramatic design of the ceiling. From the McGraw Rotunda, we went to the Rose Reading room. This reading room is fully equipped with computers and miles of books and encyclopedias on either side of the room. As one who utilizes the library, this would be the ideal place to study and do my assignments. I was impressed by the Rose room as it accommodates a large number of occupants and yet it was still extremely silent. http://www.nypl.org/locations/tid/36/node/65791
Roosevelt Island
We then proceeded to the Tram Station where I had my very first experience riding the tramway to Roosevelt Island. It was somewhat a nerve-racking experience for me as we had to travel over water in a small tram car. I was relieved that the ride was not lengthy. Roosevelt Island got its name from former President, Franklin D. Roosevelt. It was originally inhabited by the Agape Indians and was then taken over by the Dutch. To date, Roosevelt Island is occupied by 12,000 people, 40% are Caucasian and 60% are of mixed decent.
The recently opened FDR Four Freedoms Park is one of the main attractions of the island. At the entrance of the park, lies the park’s well maintained lawn which is bordered on both sides by 120 littleleaf linden trees. Another historic landmark is the Small Pox Hospital. This partly demolished building was added to the list of buildings on Roosevelt Island worthy of being referred to as a landmark. Lastly is the 1,050 pound statue at the park’s entrance of President Roosevelt which was created by Jo Davidson in 1933. http://www.fdrfourfreedomspark.org/pages/key-facts-park
Jackson Diner
After leaving the park, we went for a much deserving break at the Jackson Diner in Jackson Heights. This restaurant specializes in Indian cuisine. However, the group was given the opportunity to choose between Indian food and McDonald’s. To my surprise, the entire group chose the Indian restaurant. The menu offered several dishes including items I was familiar with such as curried goat and white rice which I enjoyed. I also tried other dishes which includes ‘Murg Kadai’ which I was not quite fond of. The other student’s comments on the food vary; some enjoyed their meals, others didn’t. I was rather astonished by the cultural diversity of the patrons in the restaurant. Not only were there Indians, but people from different ethnic backgrounds dined together enjoying their meals. The staff of the restaurant was very welcoming and we dined in comfort. I would definitely recommend this restaurant to my friends and family and look forward to dining there in the future. This restaurant was highly recommended by Professor Russo and in my opinion, this was a great choice.
This was a very fulfilling day as I got to visit new places which I learnt a lot from. If it wasn’t for this class, I wouldn’t have gotten the opportunity to explore my own backyard.
BODACIOUS BROOKLYN
July 12, 2013
This trip to Brooklyn was much better than anticipated! I took a great sigh of relief when I got to the train station and it was 77 degrees. The weather prevailed for most of the day but the rain came showering down towards the end. This didn’t prevent us from accomplishing what we set out to do.
Coney Island
Our first stop for the day was Coney Island. The last time I visited Coney Island was twenty years ago, so you can just imagine how excited I was to have this experience again. Coney Island was originally populated by the Dutch who named it after the rabbits they found there, Konijn Eiland. (The Blue Guide New York) In the 30’s and 40’s, Coney Island was labeled as the worst beach in New York. In the 1950’s, it took an upward turn but went back to its initial state in 1968. As real estate development increased in Brooklyn, this attracted the wealthy who resided in Manhattan which then made Coney Island what it is today.
Upon entering the park, you could hear the screams of the patrons who were enjoying their ride on the most terrifying roller coaster, the Cyclone. The Cyclone is among the three classic rides in the park, it is still one of the landmarks. Nathan’s Hot Dog still remains one of the highlights of visiting the amusement park. I sat on one of the benches facing the beach and enjoyed my original Nathan’s Hot Dog, basket of French fries and a soda to wash it down.
Brooklyn Heights
From Coney Island, we went to the upscale suburb of Brooklyn Heights. According to the Blue Guide New York, part of the larger village of Brooklyn Heights started thriving after Robert Fulton’s steam ferry began scheduled crossings to and from New York Manhattan across the river. Victorian Brooklyn Heights, relatively isolated from Manhattan, was known for its fine families, its churches and its clergymen. Walking through Brooklyn Heights, we made a stop at the Plymouth Church of the Pilgrims. This church is best known for its first minister, Henry Ward Beecher who preached for 40 years. His message was temperance, woman suffrage and most importantly, slavery. I was very impressed that this church played such an important role in buying the freedom of slaves. Another historic event that took place in Brooklyn Heights was the 18th century war between America and Great Britain which we lost miserably. The General of the British Army waited for two days before he made his final strike, but Washington used this to his advantage and secretly evacuated his entire army of 9,500 men within that period.
Brooklyn Bridge
After driving over the Brooklyn Bridge many times before, I would have never imagined walking over this bridge. First of all, I am afraid of heights but I had faced my greatest fear. My professors’ instruction was to walk the bridge at your own pace but I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to keep up with my younger classmates. According to The Blue Guide New York, the Brooklyn Bridge is one of New York’s greatest landmarks, certainly the best known and most loved bridge in the city. The view from the bridge is spectacular, day or night, up to the cables and down to the river.
I was really impressed to see the amount of pedestrians who use the bridge from Brooklyn to Manhattan, not only pedestrians, but cyclist as well. It was a great relief to see the sign “Park Row” and “FDR Dr Pearl Street”, I knew this was the end of our journey.
Overall, it was a great learning experience for me. I am also proud that I am living in one of the greatest city’s which is called New York.
This trip to Brooklyn was much better than anticipated! I took a great sigh of relief when I got to the train station and it was 77 degrees. The weather prevailed for most of the day but the rain came showering down towards the end. This didn’t prevent us from accomplishing what we set out to do.
Coney Island
Our first stop for the day was Coney Island. The last time I visited Coney Island was twenty years ago, so you can just imagine how excited I was to have this experience again. Coney Island was originally populated by the Dutch who named it after the rabbits they found there, Konijn Eiland. (The Blue Guide New York) In the 30’s and 40’s, Coney Island was labeled as the worst beach in New York. In the 1950’s, it took an upward turn but went back to its initial state in 1968. As real estate development increased in Brooklyn, this attracted the wealthy who resided in Manhattan which then made Coney Island what it is today.
Upon entering the park, you could hear the screams of the patrons who were enjoying their ride on the most terrifying roller coaster, the Cyclone. The Cyclone is among the three classic rides in the park, it is still one of the landmarks. Nathan’s Hot Dog still remains one of the highlights of visiting the amusement park. I sat on one of the benches facing the beach and enjoyed my original Nathan’s Hot Dog, basket of French fries and a soda to wash it down.
Brooklyn Heights
From Coney Island, we went to the upscale suburb of Brooklyn Heights. According to the Blue Guide New York, part of the larger village of Brooklyn Heights started thriving after Robert Fulton’s steam ferry began scheduled crossings to and from New York Manhattan across the river. Victorian Brooklyn Heights, relatively isolated from Manhattan, was known for its fine families, its churches and its clergymen. Walking through Brooklyn Heights, we made a stop at the Plymouth Church of the Pilgrims. This church is best known for its first minister, Henry Ward Beecher who preached for 40 years. His message was temperance, woman suffrage and most importantly, slavery. I was very impressed that this church played such an important role in buying the freedom of slaves. Another historic event that took place in Brooklyn Heights was the 18th century war between America and Great Britain which we lost miserably. The General of the British Army waited for two days before he made his final strike, but Washington used this to his advantage and secretly evacuated his entire army of 9,500 men within that period.
Brooklyn Bridge
After driving over the Brooklyn Bridge many times before, I would have never imagined walking over this bridge. First of all, I am afraid of heights but I had faced my greatest fear. My professors’ instruction was to walk the bridge at your own pace but I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to keep up with my younger classmates. According to The Blue Guide New York, the Brooklyn Bridge is one of New York’s greatest landmarks, certainly the best known and most loved bridge in the city. The view from the bridge is spectacular, day or night, up to the cables and down to the river.
I was really impressed to see the amount of pedestrians who use the bridge from Brooklyn to Manhattan, not only pedestrians, but cyclist as well. It was a great relief to see the sign “Park Row” and “FDR Dr Pearl Street”, I knew this was the end of our journey.
Overall, it was a great learning experience for me. I am also proud that I am living in one of the greatest city’s which is called New York.
A TALE OF 3 VILLAGES
On Wednesday 7/17/2013, I watched the weather report to make sure that I dressed appropriately for the weather that was being predicted. The weather report stated that it would be in the upper 90’s. I thought to myself, Is this doable? Will I be able to walk in this hot weather? I was worried about getting a heat stroke, but then again what choice did I have. I made sure I had enough frozen bottles of water that could last the entire day. In hot weather like that, being hydrated is very important.
As the group met at Penn station, our professor instructions was because of the hot weather, we should make sure that we had enough water to drink. He asked if we were ready to accomplish what we agreed to do. We all answered yes. That day our goal was to see three villages. Namely: Greenwich Village, West Village, and East Village.
As we proceeded to the number one train station, we could hear sounds of blasting drums playing. It sounded like bongo drums. This reminded me of the steel band that we have in Jamaica. It brought back good memories from my childhood days. There was a gathering around the drummers as women danced to the music, they were not afraid of shaking their hips to the beat the drums. Only in New York you will see sights like this where people are not afraid of adapting to different cultures.
Greenwich Village
Our first stop was in Greenwich Village. To date the location is where the greatest gays and lesbians reside. I found this area to be very interesting, it was the first time for me coming into this neighborhood. The topic that I chose to write for my paper for the Gotham class was same sex marriage. So to actually see this place I found it most interested.
According to the Blue Guide Book (page 129), Greenwich Village has a tolerance for a large homosexual community. For many years, it has been a base for feminist and gay artist but it also attracts middle class and professionals.
The Stone Wall Riots
53 Christopher Street is the turning point in the struggle for gay civil rights. This took place at the Stone Wall Inn. On June 28 1969, police raided the bar and arrested some of the patrons. On Christopher Street, customers and passersby threw paving stones and bottles at the police and attempted to fire bomb the bar when the outnumbered police barricaded themselves inside. The riot continues for several days presaged a new militancy among gays. Gay pride parades held toward the end of June in many cities worldwide to commemorate the uprising.
Washington Square
Washington Square is considered the heart of Greenwich Village. According to the Blue Guide, the first inhabitants after the Native Americans were some black slaves freed by the Dutch beginning in 1644 and granted land for farming. At the end of the 18th century, the land became a potter’s field and a hanging ground. In 1950, Robert Moses was then the park’s commissioner and always a highway advocate wanting to push a highway through the park and to erase downtown traffic on 5th avenue. The people fought against the project and it was defeated. Today the park is enjoyed by parents and children, students, chess players, street performers and the occasional drug dealer.
West Village
From Greenwich Village, we proceeded to West Village. The houses are still done in the Greek Revival styles which are made of red bricks. They also have brown-stone trim, door hoods supported by carved consoles, bold cornices, tall stoops with elaborate cast iron railings and high basements. (Blue Guide)
East Village
According to the Blue Guide book, until the 1960’s the East Village did not exist as a distinct neighborhood. Its eastern blocks were part of the sprawling lower east side, populated by Slavs Eastern European Jews, Germans and later Latinos.
The Merchant’s House Museum
One of the places we visited was the Merchants House Museum. It was built in 1832 and occupied by the wealthy family called the Tredwell’s. It was interesting to know how even in those early days if you are rich you have the opportunity to enjoy the finer things in life. The maids who worked for the Tredwell’s were of Irish decent and according to the tour guide; they used young Irish maids who was unmarried because they wanted workers who were fully devoted to their jobs. In those days, the maids were paid one dollar per week and were given Sunday afternoons off. They were without a doubt unable to have a family of their own under these conditions. Another thing that I think was irrational was having the maids take the coal from the basement to the fourth floor; this was by no means an easy task. I was very impressed to see the condition of the furnishings as they were in good condition.
I was astounded when I heard that the Tredwell’s did not share the same bedrooms as husband and wife. I was also surprised to know that the Tredwell women gave birth in the same bedroom and another bed was set up for the newborn.
Although the weather condition was extremely hot, we were able to accomplish our goals which were to see three villages. I learnt a lot from the experience.
As the group met at Penn station, our professor instructions was because of the hot weather, we should make sure that we had enough water to drink. He asked if we were ready to accomplish what we agreed to do. We all answered yes. That day our goal was to see three villages. Namely: Greenwich Village, West Village, and East Village.
As we proceeded to the number one train station, we could hear sounds of blasting drums playing. It sounded like bongo drums. This reminded me of the steel band that we have in Jamaica. It brought back good memories from my childhood days. There was a gathering around the drummers as women danced to the music, they were not afraid of shaking their hips to the beat the drums. Only in New York you will see sights like this where people are not afraid of adapting to different cultures.
Greenwich Village
Our first stop was in Greenwich Village. To date the location is where the greatest gays and lesbians reside. I found this area to be very interesting, it was the first time for me coming into this neighborhood. The topic that I chose to write for my paper for the Gotham class was same sex marriage. So to actually see this place I found it most interested.
According to the Blue Guide Book (page 129), Greenwich Village has a tolerance for a large homosexual community. For many years, it has been a base for feminist and gay artist but it also attracts middle class and professionals.
The Stone Wall Riots
53 Christopher Street is the turning point in the struggle for gay civil rights. This took place at the Stone Wall Inn. On June 28 1969, police raided the bar and arrested some of the patrons. On Christopher Street, customers and passersby threw paving stones and bottles at the police and attempted to fire bomb the bar when the outnumbered police barricaded themselves inside. The riot continues for several days presaged a new militancy among gays. Gay pride parades held toward the end of June in many cities worldwide to commemorate the uprising.
Washington Square
Washington Square is considered the heart of Greenwich Village. According to the Blue Guide, the first inhabitants after the Native Americans were some black slaves freed by the Dutch beginning in 1644 and granted land for farming. At the end of the 18th century, the land became a potter’s field and a hanging ground. In 1950, Robert Moses was then the park’s commissioner and always a highway advocate wanting to push a highway through the park and to erase downtown traffic on 5th avenue. The people fought against the project and it was defeated. Today the park is enjoyed by parents and children, students, chess players, street performers and the occasional drug dealer.
West Village
From Greenwich Village, we proceeded to West Village. The houses are still done in the Greek Revival styles which are made of red bricks. They also have brown-stone trim, door hoods supported by carved consoles, bold cornices, tall stoops with elaborate cast iron railings and high basements. (Blue Guide)
East Village
According to the Blue Guide book, until the 1960’s the East Village did not exist as a distinct neighborhood. Its eastern blocks were part of the sprawling lower east side, populated by Slavs Eastern European Jews, Germans and later Latinos.
The Merchant’s House Museum
One of the places we visited was the Merchants House Museum. It was built in 1832 and occupied by the wealthy family called the Tredwell’s. It was interesting to know how even in those early days if you are rich you have the opportunity to enjoy the finer things in life. The maids who worked for the Tredwell’s were of Irish decent and according to the tour guide; they used young Irish maids who was unmarried because they wanted workers who were fully devoted to their jobs. In those days, the maids were paid one dollar per week and were given Sunday afternoons off. They were without a doubt unable to have a family of their own under these conditions. Another thing that I think was irrational was having the maids take the coal from the basement to the fourth floor; this was by no means an easy task. I was very impressed to see the condition of the furnishings as they were in good condition.
I was astounded when I heard that the Tredwell’s did not share the same bedrooms as husband and wife. I was also surprised to know that the Tredwell women gave birth in the same bedroom and another bed was set up for the newborn.
Although the weather condition was extremely hot, we were able to accomplish our goals which were to see three villages. I learnt a lot from the experience.
EAST OF THE PARK
On July 19 2013, the weather report was high in the 90’s. As we gathered at Penn Station, one of my classmates who is a nurse, gave specific instructions about measures to be taken if someone experiences any signs or symptoms of a heat stroke. This should be reported to one of the three nurses that are in the group which includes me. Professor Russo also instructed us to make sure that we had enough water for our trip.
Museum of New York Fifth Avenue East Harlem
From Penn station, we proceeded to 42nd Street, Times Square where we boarded the shuttle. Our first stop was 103rd and Park Avenue, East Harlem. We stopped at the Museum of New York of Fifth Avenue in East Harlem. The museum explores past and present of New York City through diversity and heritage, opportunity and transformation. We watched a very interesting movie of New York City history. I believe this movie helped me to understand more about the class. It focused on the island of Manhattan also Brooklyn and Queens. In the movie, it showed Manhattan as a large farm land. Even though we spent approximately an hour in this building, we didn’t mind as we got to bask in the air conditioning.
We had an opportunity to see the clothing that was worn in the 1970’s the first thing that struck me was how colorful they were. Some of the clothing, I would personally wear.
El Museo Del Barrio
From the Museum of New York, we went to El Museo Del Barrio. This museum is located on Museum Mile. The name on this museum means, Museum of the Neighborhood. It was established 40 years ago. It came about because there was not much space for Latino artist to work with. This neighborhood has a great amount of Puerto Ricans so one can understand how important it is to have a museum like this. As stated on El Museo’s website, “El Museo’s varied permanent collection of over 6,500 objects, spans more than 800 years of Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino art, includes pre-Columbian Taíno artifacts, traditional arts, twentieth-century drawings, paintings, sculptures and installations, as well as prints, photography, documentary films, and video”. Our tour guide Mary Ann took us on a tour of the adjoining neighborhood. I was amazed by the amount of hydrants that was open and both adults and children were enjoying themselves cooling off on a very hot day. http://www.elmuseo.org/en/content/about-us/our-history
Justo Botanica
Next, we walked down a couple blocks to Justo Botanica owned by Jose Vargas. My professor explained that he knows modern medicine. However, in Mr. Vargas store he has oils, teas, rubbing balm that would help from problems like arthritis to stomach aches. But one thing that really caught my attention was the calabash that he had in his store which came from my home land, Jamaica. Mr. Jose was very warm and receptive to us and discussed how long he was at the location.
Walking down the street I saw very beautiful mosaics and murals dedicated to important people and all designed by the famous artist Manny Vega. My favorite painting was dedicated to Julia De Burgos 1914-1953.
Central Park
Our next stop was the beautiful Central Park, the heart land of Manhattan. This is 843 acres set aside for the recreation of New Yorkers and visitors from all over the world. One cannot come to New York City without seeing this beautiful park. I have been there for summer concerts but never experienced so much of the park and its beauty. One of the places that we visited was the Jackie Kennedy Onassis Reservoir. I really enjoyed the cool breeze that was coming from the reservoir.
According to the Blue Guide, the park was intended for the relief of working people, whose daily lives were often confined to tenements and sweatshops, as well as for the amusement of the wealthy, who could display their clothing, carriages, and horses along the tree-lined drives. It was also a public works project employing a staff of several thousand laborers, though it unfortunately attracted politicians who saw in its labor- intensive landscape a golden opportunity for patronage (controlling immigrant votes) and for letting out lucrative contracts to cronies in the building trades.
Metropolitan National History
Last but not least, our journey took us to the enchanting Eastside. We visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As according to the Blue Guide, this museum which is simply referred to as the Met, is the largest, most comprehensive art museum in the world. The building sits on 1.5 million square feet and its collections include more than two million objects, whose range includes the whole world and the entire sweep of human civilization. This museum attracts more than five million people yearly.
I have visited the museum many times before to experience the beautiful paintings and sculptures. This time I was able to see Andy Warhol’s paintings which included Mona Lisa and many others. I enjoyed myself immensely, but the only drawback was we were not allowed to take pictures. This is definitely a place I am planning to take my grandchildren. I would definitely recommend this museum to my peers.
After the exhibit professor Russo gave us the opportunity to explore the museum on our own. There where so many exhibits to choose from, but the Arts of Africa Oceania was very appealing to me, especially the Kongo Power figure.
Museum of New York Fifth Avenue East Harlem
From Penn station, we proceeded to 42nd Street, Times Square where we boarded the shuttle. Our first stop was 103rd and Park Avenue, East Harlem. We stopped at the Museum of New York of Fifth Avenue in East Harlem. The museum explores past and present of New York City through diversity and heritage, opportunity and transformation. We watched a very interesting movie of New York City history. I believe this movie helped me to understand more about the class. It focused on the island of Manhattan also Brooklyn and Queens. In the movie, it showed Manhattan as a large farm land. Even though we spent approximately an hour in this building, we didn’t mind as we got to bask in the air conditioning.
We had an opportunity to see the clothing that was worn in the 1970’s the first thing that struck me was how colorful they were. Some of the clothing, I would personally wear.
El Museo Del Barrio
From the Museum of New York, we went to El Museo Del Barrio. This museum is located on Museum Mile. The name on this museum means, Museum of the Neighborhood. It was established 40 years ago. It came about because there was not much space for Latino artist to work with. This neighborhood has a great amount of Puerto Ricans so one can understand how important it is to have a museum like this. As stated on El Museo’s website, “El Museo’s varied permanent collection of over 6,500 objects, spans more than 800 years of Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino art, includes pre-Columbian Taíno artifacts, traditional arts, twentieth-century drawings, paintings, sculptures and installations, as well as prints, photography, documentary films, and video”. Our tour guide Mary Ann took us on a tour of the adjoining neighborhood. I was amazed by the amount of hydrants that was open and both adults and children were enjoying themselves cooling off on a very hot day. http://www.elmuseo.org/en/content/about-us/our-history
Justo Botanica
Next, we walked down a couple blocks to Justo Botanica owned by Jose Vargas. My professor explained that he knows modern medicine. However, in Mr. Vargas store he has oils, teas, rubbing balm that would help from problems like arthritis to stomach aches. But one thing that really caught my attention was the calabash that he had in his store which came from my home land, Jamaica. Mr. Jose was very warm and receptive to us and discussed how long he was at the location.
Walking down the street I saw very beautiful mosaics and murals dedicated to important people and all designed by the famous artist Manny Vega. My favorite painting was dedicated to Julia De Burgos 1914-1953.
Central Park
Our next stop was the beautiful Central Park, the heart land of Manhattan. This is 843 acres set aside for the recreation of New Yorkers and visitors from all over the world. One cannot come to New York City without seeing this beautiful park. I have been there for summer concerts but never experienced so much of the park and its beauty. One of the places that we visited was the Jackie Kennedy Onassis Reservoir. I really enjoyed the cool breeze that was coming from the reservoir.
According to the Blue Guide, the park was intended for the relief of working people, whose daily lives were often confined to tenements and sweatshops, as well as for the amusement of the wealthy, who could display their clothing, carriages, and horses along the tree-lined drives. It was also a public works project employing a staff of several thousand laborers, though it unfortunately attracted politicians who saw in its labor- intensive landscape a golden opportunity for patronage (controlling immigrant votes) and for letting out lucrative contracts to cronies in the building trades.
Metropolitan National History
Last but not least, our journey took us to the enchanting Eastside. We visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As according to the Blue Guide, this museum which is simply referred to as the Met, is the largest, most comprehensive art museum in the world. The building sits on 1.5 million square feet and its collections include more than two million objects, whose range includes the whole world and the entire sweep of human civilization. This museum attracts more than five million people yearly.
I have visited the museum many times before to experience the beautiful paintings and sculptures. This time I was able to see Andy Warhol’s paintings which included Mona Lisa and many others. I enjoyed myself immensely, but the only drawback was we were not allowed to take pictures. This is definitely a place I am planning to take my grandchildren. I would definitely recommend this museum to my peers.
After the exhibit professor Russo gave us the opportunity to explore the museum on our own. There where so many exhibits to choose from, but the Arts of Africa Oceania was very appealing to me, especially the Kongo Power figure.
MANHATTAN- 07/24/2013
On July 24 2013, the weather reported the temperature to be in the 80’s; unlike our last class which was in the high 90’s. In this weather, one fears having a heat stroke. However, we survived that day and were able to do what we set out to do.
After the group met in Penn Station, our professors gave us instructions of the places that we would be visiting. From there, we went to Broadway. I was amazed to see the wide variety of food stalls and that people were also able to dine in the area as well. There were so many different food stalls which included pastry, fresh produce, etc. Mayor Giuliani, a past mayor of New York City started a pedestrian lane. Initially, business owners feared losing business when the change was implemented; however, it actually helped their business as they got more walk-ins. The pedestrian lane allows more people to use their bikes a form of transportation instead of mass transport or even their private cars. This aids in eliminating air pollution which is important for our environment.
Time Square was originally called Longacre Square before it was renamed in 1904 after the New York Times building. It is also the home of the theatre. In the 1960’s and 1970’s, this area became very dangerous. There was an increase of pornography and prostitution. In 1980, the Guardian Angels under the leadership of Curtis Sliwa was instrumental in eradicating crime in the City of New York. This area is under surveillance by the NYPD which now makes it a much safer city. http://www.timessquare.com/NYC__/Times_Square_History/Times_Square:_Part_of_New_York_City_History/
Rockefeller Center- 1250 Sixth Avenue
After leaving Time Square, our next stop was at the Rockefeller Center. According to the Blue Guide (243), Rockefeller Center was the first architecturally coordinated development in New York City, and a milestone in urban planning, it became a National Historic Landmark in 1987. It is the world’s largest privately-owned business and entertainment center and is a visual icon and a major tourist destination, embracing 19 buildings on 21 acres, offering shopping, restaurants, and other pleasant diversions.
This famed Art Deco styled landmark was envisioned by John D. Rockefeller. Today, Rockefeller Center is one of the world’s great crossroads and home to the most famous ice rink and Christmas tree on earth. Architecturally profound, culturally diverse, and commercially vital, Rockefeller Center is the true plaza of the people.
http://www.topoftherocknyc.com/history/rockefeller-center/
The Museum of Modern Art
After leaving Rockefeller Center, we proceeded to The Museum of Modern Art. According to the Blue Guide (260), the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is one of the city’s premier cultural institutions, one of the great repositories not only of modern painting and sculpture, but also of drawing, design, photography, and film. The historic building, expanded and reconfigured by Yoshio Taniguchi, re-opened to considerable fanfare in 2004, drawing 2.67 million visitors in the next year to gaze at the Picassos and Matisses, the van Goghs and Cezannes, and the huge splattered canvasses of Jackson Pollock that have made West 53rd St a destination for lovers of modern art.
In 1962, Andy Warhol first exhibited these Campbell’s Soup Cans and they were displayed together on shelves, like products in a grocery aisle. Back then, the Campbell’s Soup Company sold 32 soup varieties; each canvas corresponded to a different flavor. Warhol did not indicate how the canvases should be installed. At MoMA, they are arranged in rows that reflect the chronological order in which the soups were introduced.
http://www.moma.org/learn/moma_learning/andy-warhol-campbells-soup-cans-1962
Mark Rothko was given his first important solo museum exhibition in 1961 by the Museum of Modern Art, for which he insisted on removing everything done before 1945. He set in place the work in dense clusters and decided on low lighting for all of the paintings, even those he had shown earlier under more intense light. The installation probably reflected the new direction his work had taken at the time of the Seagram murals, because the work that follows bears a decided shift in emphasis from his paintings of the early and mid-1950s. The exhibition, which took place in the winter, received generally enthusiastic review, and then traveled extensively in Europe. This was the museum's first solo exhibition devoted to an artist of his generation from the New York School, which might be what makes it so outstanding.
http://www.markrothko.org/
The Restaurant- Yum Yum
This restaurant is between 46thSt and 9th avenue, this area is also called Hell’s Kitchen. We were given a choice by our professor of Thai cuisine or the usual fast food restaurants. I was pleasantly surprised that only two students decided against Thai food. I am always open to try new food from different cultures, but to be on the safe side, I chose mixed vegetables with chicken sautéed in garlic sauce served with white rice, egg roll and a glass of ice cold ice-tea. I must admit I thoroughly enjoyed my lunch, it was delicious.
Harlem
We made our way to 135thSt in Harlem by way of the number 3 train. As usual, the train was packed; we literally had to push ourselves into the train. But then again, this is the New York way of life. As we exited the train, our tour guide, Jim, was waiting for us. He was extremely enthusiastic, charismatic and very knowledgeable about the area. He gave us an overview which includes the affluent people who reside in the apartment such as Percy Sutton and Charles Rangle, politicians who live in the Lenox Terrace housing.
Churches are very important in the African-American community, so on every street, one could see churches of all denominations. One of the iconic churches in Harlem is the Abyssinian Baptist Church which is under the leadership of Reverend Calvin Butts. Sadly, we did not get to tour the church as time was against us. For many years, I listened to this charismatic preacher on the radio and would have loved to meet him in person.
Harlem Hospital
Harlem Hospital Center is a 286-bed hospital that provides a broad array of preventive, primary and acute care services including general medicine and medical subspecialties, general surgery and surgical subspecialties, infectious diseases, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics and neonatology, critical care, substance abuse services, dental and oral surgery, physical, speech and occupational therapies and other services. They are a World Health Organization’s UNICEF Designated Baby Friendly Hospital and a member of America’s Essential Hospitals Safety Net Hospitals.
http://www.nyc.gov/html/hhc/harlem/html/home/home.shtml
The mural on the windows was breathtaking; I’ve never seen anything like this on a hospital before. The mural on the wall depicts a nurse, Duke Ellington and a secretary.
Apollo Theatre
One could not go to Harlem without visiting 125thSt; this street is like a city within a city. One of the places that I will always remember is the Apollo theatre. In 1992, I took my daughter who was only 14 years old and her singing group to perform “Hold On” by En Vogue. That night, my daughter and her group won the competition which was being held. Today, my daughter is a singer and a songwriter; this place means so much to me because this is where she started from.
Morning Side Park
Morning Side Park will stay with me forever. My professor boasted that no one has ever beaten him to the top of the steps which is 160 steps. But, he was beaten by two of our classmates. My experience with climbing these steps was agonizing, however, there is nothing that is impossible when you put your mind to it, it can be accomplished; that is my motto.
St. John the Divine Church
St John the Divine Church was our last stop for the day. I didn’t know that this was the 4th largest church in the world. I will definitely visit this church in the future.
Overall, I had a wonderful day. The experience I will always cherish.
DOWNTOWN MANHATTAN
7/26/13
City Hall
On Friday the 26th, our group met at the usual spot; Penn Station. Our professor gave us an outline of the places that we would visit. I was really excited about these places because it would be the first time visiting most of them. From Penn Station we took the number 3 train to downtown, our first stop was City Hall. We were greeted by our tour guide who was very knowledgeable. The information that she imparted on was very informative.
Constructed from 1803 to 1812, New York’s City Hall is one of the oldest continuously used city halls in the nation and one of the finest architectural achievements of its period. As New York City’s third city hall, it was built to accommodate a growing municipal government. Its design was the result of a competition held in 1802. In 2012, the Bloomberg Administration launched a rehabilitation project to correct structural issues and preserve the historic building. In addition, the project included the installation of a new fire safety system, and new electrical service in order to bring the building up to 21st-century standards. Through the generous support of private donors, the City was also able to restore the building’s murals, decorative elements, and historic finishes as part of this effort. (City Hall brochure)
In the interior, the lobby walls are covered with the original white Massachusetts marble. Beyond the lobby is the rotunda, with a beautiful circular staircase and a dome with a clear glass oculus, supported by ten Corinthian columns. The design for this space is probably McComb’s. On the second floor, the Governor’s Room first served as an office for the governor when he visited the city and as a reception room now it also serves as a museum celebrating New York’s civic history. (Blue Guide- page 84)
The largest room in City Hall, the Bullpen, located on the west side of the second floor, has served as a courtroom, a space for large celebrations, and a meeting room for both the Board of Aldermen(now known as the City Council) and the Board of Estimate. In 2002, Mayor Bloomberg turned the room into an open-plan work space, where he works surrounded by his staff. (City Hall brochure)
World Trade Center
Our next stop was the twin towers. Approaching the tower, it was almost impossible to find your way around because of the huge crowds. Thanks to our professors who made reservations for us, we were able to go straight onto the site.
I remember this catastrophic event as if it was yesterday. I was home making breakfast for my family who was out of town, when suddenly the telephone rang and it was my husband who was on the other line. I can remember this frantic phone call, he said “put the television on right now”, and I was completely astounded by what I was seeing. I saw when the second plane crashed in one of the twin towers. The first thing that came to my mind was my husband who is working in China Town and how he would get home, then my son who was in high school. I immediately jumped in my car to get him in fear of roads and bridges being closed. That call I received from my husband, was the last time that I spoke to him until he got home at 2pm. During this time, my mind was thinking of all the bad possibilities that could happen. However, at 2pm, my husband after walking from Park Row to Rosedale, Queens, I was elated to see him. To this day, my husband will never wear a regular work shoes to work because he lost the bottom of the pair he was wearing. He now wears a pair of sneakers. This to me was one of the worst events that could happen in America but even more, in New York City. I believe everyone’s life has been affected in some way, if it was not a family member, it would be a friend that was involved. My girlfriend who worked for Fitzgerald was running late that morning and missed her train. Half of her staff members died. Today she is still affected by this horrible event.
Going to the Memorial Pool for the first time, I have mixed emotions but I am happy that there is a place that the family members can always come to give respect to their loved ones that have gone before. I think it was beautifully done by the builders. As one classmate suggests, he believes that the water signifies that the lives of those decease continues in the heavens. We will always remember them as our heroes.
St Paul’s Church
Across the street from World Trade’s Center is St Paul’s Church. I was very excited but also emotional about this visit because for many people who volunteered when the towers came down, this church played a great role for the volunteers. It served as a relief mission for the workers at ground zero. They provided comfort and care for over 2000 workers each day. This church was a spiritual home of ground zero. (St. Paul’s Chapel brochure)
Built during the Revolutionary era, Saint Paul's Church is one of the oldest churches in New York. Although the church offered its last service in 1977, it is still an active site, offering a wide variety of historical programming. Saint Paul's maintains a busy annual calendar of special events including, living history, educational and children's programs as well as walking tours. The site's highlights include a 300 year old cemetery and a famous Revolutionary-era steeple bell. The adjacent carriage house serves today as an American Revolution museum.
The original St. Paul's Church, a small wooden structure, was completed in 1700. It was at the center of life in the farming community during colonial times. The oldest legible gravestone in the church cemetery dates to 1704, a time when the village was so small that only initials were needed to identify the graves. Buried in this storied graveyard are both American and Hessian soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary War. http://www.nyharborparks.org/visit/sapa.html
Wall Street
After leaving Ground Zero, we went to Wall Street. As we walked down Wall Street, we saw professionally attired people walking briskly pass us in the financial district. In 1653, Wall Street got its name from a wall which ran river to river to prevent the British from harassing their Dutch neighbors. As written in the Blue Guide (64), many of the elegant early 20th- century commercial buildings, constructed for premier banks and major corporations, are being converted to residential uses. Hotels, restaurants and shops are arriving. And while major financial corporations are returning from Midtown-where they relocated after the World Trade Center attacks-they are not coming to Wall St, whose buildings are too old, too small and technologically obsolete.
Wall Street is also known for its “wedding cake” skyscrapers. According to the Blue Guide (68), the 1916 zoning law accounts for the “wedding cake” silhouettes of so many older New York towers. The amount of setback required was determined by running an imaginary plane up from the center of the street at a predetermined angle and requiring the profile of the building to remain within this boundary. After setbacks had reduced the building size to 25 percent of the site, the tower could rise straight up.
Chelsea Market
Next stop; Chelsea Market! By this time we were exhausted and hungry. We had our lunch break. Because time was of essence, we chose a small restaurant that the food was pre-prepared. I must admit, it was delicious, we really enjoyed it. Chelsea Market now contains shops offering high quality good wine, kitchen wares and flowers (Blue Guide- 186).
We then walked to the Highline, which is an elevated railroad track. It was filled with different plants, benches and even a water fountain where people could wet their feet on a hot day. I believe that whoever came up with this idea, made a great choice for the city because it is used by so many people and that was clear on that day.
Chelsea Galleries
If you're interested in collecting art you'll find hundreds of art galleries in Chelsea. The streets are lined with art galleries and many building have multiple floors of galleries. The Chelsea art district is one of the most important and influential art districts in the world; be sure to visit this area while in New York, especially if you're looking for contemporary art. http://art-collecting.com/galleries_ny_chelsea.htm
There are many galleries in Chelsea so it was very hard to choose from. However, the two that caught my attention are Rosalind Solomon Gallery and Gladstone Gallery. Rosalind Solomon is located at 535 24th Street. The art that really spoke to me was a gay couple which one of the partners were ill and in a hospital bed. His lover sat beside him holding his hand and that spoke volume of the love they had for each other. As a nurse, I care for so many AIDS patients and for these people, it’s not just the illness that they have to face but the prejudice that comes with it. Magic Johnson, a great basketball player brought a face to the disease and continuously worked hard to help AIDS victims.
The other art gallery that we visited was the Gladstone Gallery, located at 515 West 24th Street. It was surprising to me to see the pieces that were used for example, an old mattress and a used car seat. I would never imagine that these objects we use in everyday life would be considered as art.
Three Trees in a Row
Last but not least, we visited a book store. The book that I chose was “Three trees in a row- by Gary Starks (2012)”. First of all, there were many books to choose from but so little time. This book caught my eye because it depicts a lot of parks and the buildings and this class entails that.
Before I took this class, when I look at a building, the style meant nothing to me, but now, I can differentiate when a building style is art deco or gothic.
In fact, Gary is a prize winning poet who now lives by his pool in the south-west of France, drinking wine, writing dirty poems and in equal measures, enchanting and annoying his lovely wife, Linda, with his rapier-like wit and inane behavior.
http://garystark.co.uk/NewSite/?author=1
This was a wonderful learning experience; though it brought back terrible memories, I thoroughly enjoyed my day.
City Hall
On Friday the 26th, our group met at the usual spot; Penn Station. Our professor gave us an outline of the places that we would visit. I was really excited about these places because it would be the first time visiting most of them. From Penn Station we took the number 3 train to downtown, our first stop was City Hall. We were greeted by our tour guide who was very knowledgeable. The information that she imparted on was very informative.
Constructed from 1803 to 1812, New York’s City Hall is one of the oldest continuously used city halls in the nation and one of the finest architectural achievements of its period. As New York City’s third city hall, it was built to accommodate a growing municipal government. Its design was the result of a competition held in 1802. In 2012, the Bloomberg Administration launched a rehabilitation project to correct structural issues and preserve the historic building. In addition, the project included the installation of a new fire safety system, and new electrical service in order to bring the building up to 21st-century standards. Through the generous support of private donors, the City was also able to restore the building’s murals, decorative elements, and historic finishes as part of this effort. (City Hall brochure)
In the interior, the lobby walls are covered with the original white Massachusetts marble. Beyond the lobby is the rotunda, with a beautiful circular staircase and a dome with a clear glass oculus, supported by ten Corinthian columns. The design for this space is probably McComb’s. On the second floor, the Governor’s Room first served as an office for the governor when he visited the city and as a reception room now it also serves as a museum celebrating New York’s civic history. (Blue Guide- page 84)
The largest room in City Hall, the Bullpen, located on the west side of the second floor, has served as a courtroom, a space for large celebrations, and a meeting room for both the Board of Aldermen(now known as the City Council) and the Board of Estimate. In 2002, Mayor Bloomberg turned the room into an open-plan work space, where he works surrounded by his staff. (City Hall brochure)
World Trade Center
Our next stop was the twin towers. Approaching the tower, it was almost impossible to find your way around because of the huge crowds. Thanks to our professors who made reservations for us, we were able to go straight onto the site.
I remember this catastrophic event as if it was yesterday. I was home making breakfast for my family who was out of town, when suddenly the telephone rang and it was my husband who was on the other line. I can remember this frantic phone call, he said “put the television on right now”, and I was completely astounded by what I was seeing. I saw when the second plane crashed in one of the twin towers. The first thing that came to my mind was my husband who is working in China Town and how he would get home, then my son who was in high school. I immediately jumped in my car to get him in fear of roads and bridges being closed. That call I received from my husband, was the last time that I spoke to him until he got home at 2pm. During this time, my mind was thinking of all the bad possibilities that could happen. However, at 2pm, my husband after walking from Park Row to Rosedale, Queens, I was elated to see him. To this day, my husband will never wear a regular work shoes to work because he lost the bottom of the pair he was wearing. He now wears a pair of sneakers. This to me was one of the worst events that could happen in America but even more, in New York City. I believe everyone’s life has been affected in some way, if it was not a family member, it would be a friend that was involved. My girlfriend who worked for Fitzgerald was running late that morning and missed her train. Half of her staff members died. Today she is still affected by this horrible event.
Going to the Memorial Pool for the first time, I have mixed emotions but I am happy that there is a place that the family members can always come to give respect to their loved ones that have gone before. I think it was beautifully done by the builders. As one classmate suggests, he believes that the water signifies that the lives of those decease continues in the heavens. We will always remember them as our heroes.
St Paul’s Church
Across the street from World Trade’s Center is St Paul’s Church. I was very excited but also emotional about this visit because for many people who volunteered when the towers came down, this church played a great role for the volunteers. It served as a relief mission for the workers at ground zero. They provided comfort and care for over 2000 workers each day. This church was a spiritual home of ground zero. (St. Paul’s Chapel brochure)
Built during the Revolutionary era, Saint Paul's Church is one of the oldest churches in New York. Although the church offered its last service in 1977, it is still an active site, offering a wide variety of historical programming. Saint Paul's maintains a busy annual calendar of special events including, living history, educational and children's programs as well as walking tours. The site's highlights include a 300 year old cemetery and a famous Revolutionary-era steeple bell. The adjacent carriage house serves today as an American Revolution museum.
The original St. Paul's Church, a small wooden structure, was completed in 1700. It was at the center of life in the farming community during colonial times. The oldest legible gravestone in the church cemetery dates to 1704, a time when the village was so small that only initials were needed to identify the graves. Buried in this storied graveyard are both American and Hessian soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary War. http://www.nyharborparks.org/visit/sapa.html
Wall Street
After leaving Ground Zero, we went to Wall Street. As we walked down Wall Street, we saw professionally attired people walking briskly pass us in the financial district. In 1653, Wall Street got its name from a wall which ran river to river to prevent the British from harassing their Dutch neighbors. As written in the Blue Guide (64), many of the elegant early 20th- century commercial buildings, constructed for premier banks and major corporations, are being converted to residential uses. Hotels, restaurants and shops are arriving. And while major financial corporations are returning from Midtown-where they relocated after the World Trade Center attacks-they are not coming to Wall St, whose buildings are too old, too small and technologically obsolete.
Wall Street is also known for its “wedding cake” skyscrapers. According to the Blue Guide (68), the 1916 zoning law accounts for the “wedding cake” silhouettes of so many older New York towers. The amount of setback required was determined by running an imaginary plane up from the center of the street at a predetermined angle and requiring the profile of the building to remain within this boundary. After setbacks had reduced the building size to 25 percent of the site, the tower could rise straight up.
Chelsea Market
Next stop; Chelsea Market! By this time we were exhausted and hungry. We had our lunch break. Because time was of essence, we chose a small restaurant that the food was pre-prepared. I must admit, it was delicious, we really enjoyed it. Chelsea Market now contains shops offering high quality good wine, kitchen wares and flowers (Blue Guide- 186).
We then walked to the Highline, which is an elevated railroad track. It was filled with different plants, benches and even a water fountain where people could wet their feet on a hot day. I believe that whoever came up with this idea, made a great choice for the city because it is used by so many people and that was clear on that day.
Chelsea Galleries
If you're interested in collecting art you'll find hundreds of art galleries in Chelsea. The streets are lined with art galleries and many building have multiple floors of galleries. The Chelsea art district is one of the most important and influential art districts in the world; be sure to visit this area while in New York, especially if you're looking for contemporary art. http://art-collecting.com/galleries_ny_chelsea.htm
There are many galleries in Chelsea so it was very hard to choose from. However, the two that caught my attention are Rosalind Solomon Gallery and Gladstone Gallery. Rosalind Solomon is located at 535 24th Street. The art that really spoke to me was a gay couple which one of the partners were ill and in a hospital bed. His lover sat beside him holding his hand and that spoke volume of the love they had for each other. As a nurse, I care for so many AIDS patients and for these people, it’s not just the illness that they have to face but the prejudice that comes with it. Magic Johnson, a great basketball player brought a face to the disease and continuously worked hard to help AIDS victims.
The other art gallery that we visited was the Gladstone Gallery, located at 515 West 24th Street. It was surprising to me to see the pieces that were used for example, an old mattress and a used car seat. I would never imagine that these objects we use in everyday life would be considered as art.
Three Trees in a Row
Last but not least, we visited a book store. The book that I chose was “Three trees in a row- by Gary Starks (2012)”. First of all, there were many books to choose from but so little time. This book caught my eye because it depicts a lot of parks and the buildings and this class entails that.
Before I took this class, when I look at a building, the style meant nothing to me, but now, I can differentiate when a building style is art deco or gothic.
In fact, Gary is a prize winning poet who now lives by his pool in the south-west of France, drinking wine, writing dirty poems and in equal measures, enchanting and annoying his lovely wife, Linda, with his rapier-like wit and inane behavior.
http://garystark.co.uk/NewSite/?author=1
This was a wonderful learning experience; though it brought back terrible memories, I thoroughly enjoyed my day.
LOWER EAST SIDE
07/31/2013
Today was the last day of my New York Experience. I was very excited but felt somewhat disappointed as the people that I met in this class were very special. We were a great team and we worked together to make this class a success. Meeting at Penn Station, I felt as if everyone feels the same way; relieved that the class was coming to an end but also disheartened that we would be parting. While waiting for Professor Russo, we could hear echoes of music of the great Bob Marley being played by a local musician. I could not help but rock to the music; as a Jamaican, I felt a sense of pride.
Essex Street Market
Our first stop was at the Essex Street Market. According to the Blue Guide(123), Essesx Street Market was built in 1940 to house pushcart peddlers whom Mayor Fiorello La Guardia legislated off the streets, the market offers food for all tastes- Latino, Jewish, and upscale urbanite: chicken gizzards, nopales (cactus stems), sherry vinegar, fish cheeks, prime cuts of beef, and artisanal cheeses. Essex Street Market is also known best for the pastries that are sold in their bakeries. In the rear of the market, the fresh meat have a pink look and are ready to be prepared, unlike the frozen meat that are generally found in our supermarkets.
Gotham Adventure (Seductive Central Park)
Our first instruction was to proceed to Central Park Zoo which is just a few yards from 5th Ave. This zoo has over 130 different species ranging from giant Polar Bears to the open-air tropical aviary. A walk around the Zoo’s five plus acres will take you through a variety of habitats, all carefully designed to recreate the natural environment of the animals they house. http://www.centralpark.com/guide/central-park-zoo.html
Secondly, we were instructed to go to the Delacorte Musical Animal Clock. This clock is situated near the entrance of the Children's Zoo, and was dedicated in 1965 with funding from philanthropist George T. Delacorte. It sits atop a three-tiered tower and features a band of whimsical animals: two bronze monkeys banging hammers against a bell; a penguin on drum; a hippo on violin; a bear and his tambourine; a concertina-playing elephant; a goat with pipes; and a kangaroo on horn.
The animals circle the tower to one of 44 tunes that change seasonally: Deck the Halls and Jingle Bells in December, April Showers and Easter Parade in Spring, and classics like Three Blind Mice all year long. http://www.centralparknyc.org/visit/things-to-see/south-end/delacorte-musical-clock.html
After the clock, we went to the Boat Pond. According to the Official Website of New York City’s Central Park, this ornamental pond was constructed as a reflecting pool for the conservatory, but when the plan for a structure was abandoned, the water body became the popular model boat pond, inspired by those in Parisian parks.
From April through October, children and boat enthusiasts come to navigate radio and wind-powered vessels across the shimmering waters. It’s such a popular destination that writer E.B. White set the whimsical boat scene in his children’s classic, Stuart Little, here. It was recreated in the 1999 film of the same name. http://www.centralparknyc.org/visit/things-to-see/great-lawn/conservatory-water.html
Then we were off to Bethesda Terrace. At the center of the terrace, is the Bethesda Fountain and its statue, angel of the waters (1868) by Emma Stebbins, one of the few works especially commissioned for the park. It depicts the biblical angel who stirred the waters of the Bethesda Pool in Jerusalem, conferring healing powers on it, and was commissioned to commemorate the opening of the croton aqueduct in 1842. In an era when the public water supply was often contaminated, Cholera epidemics were frequent; Stebbins equated the pure croton water with the healing water of Bethesda. On the column beneath the angel, four plump cherubs represent the virtues of temperance, purity health and peace. (Blue Guide- pg 290)
Last but not least, we visited Strawberry Fields at the John Lennon Memorial. The 2.5 acres area near Central Park West and 72nd Park entrance is called Strawberry Fields to honor John Lennon, the songwriter, singer and member of the Beatles who was assassinated in the court yard of the nearby Decota Apartments in 1980. “Strawberry Fields Forever”, one of Lennon’s most popular songs, took its title from the name of a Liverpool orphanage, though the lyrics in fact have hallucinogenic overtones. The title of another famous song “Imagine” is inscribed in the center of a black and white pavement Mosaic, a reproduction of a Mosaic from Pompeii and a gift of Naples, Italy. Strawberry Fields was opened in 1985 after its planners overcame some unusual obstacles beginning with the wish of conservative city council members to name the area for Bing Crosby instead of the politically controversial, Lennon. The site is now one of the most popular destinations for most visitors, a shrine where fans from all over the world leave flowers and offer tokens of remembrance. (Blue Guide- pg 290)
The last assignment on the Scavenger Hunt was the Decota Apartments. The Decota Apartments on 1 West 72nd Street (1884, Henry J Hardenbergh) are architecturally one of the city’s finest apartment buildings and socially one of the pre-eminent West Side addresses.
Not surprisingly, the building has attracted a striking clientele, notable people involved in the arts. Among them have been Boris Karloff, Zachry Scott, Leonard Bernstein, Lauren Bacall, Roberto Flack, and scientist Michael Idvorsky Pupim. Most famous of all was John Lennon who was shot and killed in the courtyard by a deranged admirer on December 8th 1980. (Blue Guide- pg 414)
I must admit, when my group was given this assignment, I looked at the paper and noticed all the grounds to be covered in such a short time, I thought to myself, this was impossible. But here again, this is where we learnt to execute good time management. We all worked as a team to accomplish our task.
We were instructed to call Professor Russo at 2:30pm. We were able to do so and made our way to the restaurant, Congee Village on 100 Allen Street before 2:55pm. We were all proud of ourselves that we were at the restaurant at 2:48pm. By this time, we were exhausted, not to mention hungry. Luckily for us, we were treated to lunch by our Professors. The food was delicious, I personally enjoyed it.
The Tenement Museum
This museum, a former Tenement, was founded in 1988 to preserve the heritage of the nation’s immigrants, honoring the millions who lived in the lower East Side and in other immigrant ghettos. (Blue Guide- pg 122)
This museum was once occupied by Victoria Confino. She was only 14 years old when she came to America. It’s very hard to understand how they lived in such a tiny apartment. As an immigrant, I can identify with Victoria Confino how difficult it was for her and her family, the culture shock they experienced, coming from a small village, Kastoria, Greece. Not to mention, the language barrier; this would have made it even more difficult to adapt to their new surroundings.
My Impressions of the New York Experience Gotham Class
Before I started this class, I did not know what to expect. I have to admit that this class was a great learning experience for me and I would recommend it to other students. The places that I visited, some I went before but some, in my wildest dreams I would never imagine visiting them. One of the places that will be in my memory for a long time is the Brooklyn Bridge. I have driven over this bridge on numerous occasions, but to actually walk over it was an experience in its own. That day when we crossed the Brooklyn Bridge, it was raining but that did not prevent us from enjoying the beauty of the city.
Ground Zero was another experience that I will always keep dear to me. I had mixed emotions that day. I could recall all the emotions I felt on September 11, 2001. I am very pleased to see the Memorial Pool that was built in memoriam of the lost heroes. I believe that the flowing of the water signifies that the life’s of the deceased live on in heaven.
After learning about the architecture and style of the beautiful buildings we visited, I will never look at skyscrapers the same again. The art museums and galleries we went to were filled with captivating artwork. I was surprised to see that the items used in our everyday lives such as an old mattress and car seat was considered art.
As one who respects other cultures, I enjoyed the food for example, Indian food in Roosevelt and Thai Food in New York City. Overall, this class was a great experience. I learnt a lot about the city that I’ve been living in for 33 years. Thanks to Professor Russo and Professor Damian who imparted great knowledge about the city onto me. I will definitely recommend these places to my friends and family and am looking forward to visiting them in the near future.
Today was the last day of my New York Experience. I was very excited but felt somewhat disappointed as the people that I met in this class were very special. We were a great team and we worked together to make this class a success. Meeting at Penn Station, I felt as if everyone feels the same way; relieved that the class was coming to an end but also disheartened that we would be parting. While waiting for Professor Russo, we could hear echoes of music of the great Bob Marley being played by a local musician. I could not help but rock to the music; as a Jamaican, I felt a sense of pride.
Essex Street Market
Our first stop was at the Essex Street Market. According to the Blue Guide(123), Essesx Street Market was built in 1940 to house pushcart peddlers whom Mayor Fiorello La Guardia legislated off the streets, the market offers food for all tastes- Latino, Jewish, and upscale urbanite: chicken gizzards, nopales (cactus stems), sherry vinegar, fish cheeks, prime cuts of beef, and artisanal cheeses. Essex Street Market is also known best for the pastries that are sold in their bakeries. In the rear of the market, the fresh meat have a pink look and are ready to be prepared, unlike the frozen meat that are generally found in our supermarkets.
Gotham Adventure (Seductive Central Park)
Our first instruction was to proceed to Central Park Zoo which is just a few yards from 5th Ave. This zoo has over 130 different species ranging from giant Polar Bears to the open-air tropical aviary. A walk around the Zoo’s five plus acres will take you through a variety of habitats, all carefully designed to recreate the natural environment of the animals they house. http://www.centralpark.com/guide/central-park-zoo.html
Secondly, we were instructed to go to the Delacorte Musical Animal Clock. This clock is situated near the entrance of the Children's Zoo, and was dedicated in 1965 with funding from philanthropist George T. Delacorte. It sits atop a three-tiered tower and features a band of whimsical animals: two bronze monkeys banging hammers against a bell; a penguin on drum; a hippo on violin; a bear and his tambourine; a concertina-playing elephant; a goat with pipes; and a kangaroo on horn.
The animals circle the tower to one of 44 tunes that change seasonally: Deck the Halls and Jingle Bells in December, April Showers and Easter Parade in Spring, and classics like Three Blind Mice all year long. http://www.centralparknyc.org/visit/things-to-see/south-end/delacorte-musical-clock.html
After the clock, we went to the Boat Pond. According to the Official Website of New York City’s Central Park, this ornamental pond was constructed as a reflecting pool for the conservatory, but when the plan for a structure was abandoned, the water body became the popular model boat pond, inspired by those in Parisian parks.
From April through October, children and boat enthusiasts come to navigate radio and wind-powered vessels across the shimmering waters. It’s such a popular destination that writer E.B. White set the whimsical boat scene in his children’s classic, Stuart Little, here. It was recreated in the 1999 film of the same name. http://www.centralparknyc.org/visit/things-to-see/great-lawn/conservatory-water.html
Then we were off to Bethesda Terrace. At the center of the terrace, is the Bethesda Fountain and its statue, angel of the waters (1868) by Emma Stebbins, one of the few works especially commissioned for the park. It depicts the biblical angel who stirred the waters of the Bethesda Pool in Jerusalem, conferring healing powers on it, and was commissioned to commemorate the opening of the croton aqueduct in 1842. In an era when the public water supply was often contaminated, Cholera epidemics were frequent; Stebbins equated the pure croton water with the healing water of Bethesda. On the column beneath the angel, four plump cherubs represent the virtues of temperance, purity health and peace. (Blue Guide- pg 290)
Last but not least, we visited Strawberry Fields at the John Lennon Memorial. The 2.5 acres area near Central Park West and 72nd Park entrance is called Strawberry Fields to honor John Lennon, the songwriter, singer and member of the Beatles who was assassinated in the court yard of the nearby Decota Apartments in 1980. “Strawberry Fields Forever”, one of Lennon’s most popular songs, took its title from the name of a Liverpool orphanage, though the lyrics in fact have hallucinogenic overtones. The title of another famous song “Imagine” is inscribed in the center of a black and white pavement Mosaic, a reproduction of a Mosaic from Pompeii and a gift of Naples, Italy. Strawberry Fields was opened in 1985 after its planners overcame some unusual obstacles beginning with the wish of conservative city council members to name the area for Bing Crosby instead of the politically controversial, Lennon. The site is now one of the most popular destinations for most visitors, a shrine where fans from all over the world leave flowers and offer tokens of remembrance. (Blue Guide- pg 290)
The last assignment on the Scavenger Hunt was the Decota Apartments. The Decota Apartments on 1 West 72nd Street (1884, Henry J Hardenbergh) are architecturally one of the city’s finest apartment buildings and socially one of the pre-eminent West Side addresses.
Not surprisingly, the building has attracted a striking clientele, notable people involved in the arts. Among them have been Boris Karloff, Zachry Scott, Leonard Bernstein, Lauren Bacall, Roberto Flack, and scientist Michael Idvorsky Pupim. Most famous of all was John Lennon who was shot and killed in the courtyard by a deranged admirer on December 8th 1980. (Blue Guide- pg 414)
I must admit, when my group was given this assignment, I looked at the paper and noticed all the grounds to be covered in such a short time, I thought to myself, this was impossible. But here again, this is where we learnt to execute good time management. We all worked as a team to accomplish our task.
We were instructed to call Professor Russo at 2:30pm. We were able to do so and made our way to the restaurant, Congee Village on 100 Allen Street before 2:55pm. We were all proud of ourselves that we were at the restaurant at 2:48pm. By this time, we were exhausted, not to mention hungry. Luckily for us, we were treated to lunch by our Professors. The food was delicious, I personally enjoyed it.
The Tenement Museum
This museum, a former Tenement, was founded in 1988 to preserve the heritage of the nation’s immigrants, honoring the millions who lived in the lower East Side and in other immigrant ghettos. (Blue Guide- pg 122)
This museum was once occupied by Victoria Confino. She was only 14 years old when she came to America. It’s very hard to understand how they lived in such a tiny apartment. As an immigrant, I can identify with Victoria Confino how difficult it was for her and her family, the culture shock they experienced, coming from a small village, Kastoria, Greece. Not to mention, the language barrier; this would have made it even more difficult to adapt to their new surroundings.
My Impressions of the New York Experience Gotham Class
Before I started this class, I did not know what to expect. I have to admit that this class was a great learning experience for me and I would recommend it to other students. The places that I visited, some I went before but some, in my wildest dreams I would never imagine visiting them. One of the places that will be in my memory for a long time is the Brooklyn Bridge. I have driven over this bridge on numerous occasions, but to actually walk over it was an experience in its own. That day when we crossed the Brooklyn Bridge, it was raining but that did not prevent us from enjoying the beauty of the city.
Ground Zero was another experience that I will always keep dear to me. I had mixed emotions that day. I could recall all the emotions I felt on September 11, 2001. I am very pleased to see the Memorial Pool that was built in memoriam of the lost heroes. I believe that the flowing of the water signifies that the life’s of the deceased live on in heaven.
After learning about the architecture and style of the beautiful buildings we visited, I will never look at skyscrapers the same again. The art museums and galleries we went to were filled with captivating artwork. I was surprised to see that the items used in our everyday lives such as an old mattress and car seat was considered art.
As one who respects other cultures, I enjoyed the food for example, Indian food in Roosevelt and Thai Food in New York City. Overall, this class was a great experience. I learnt a lot about the city that I’ve been living in for 33 years. Thanks to Professor Russo and Professor Damian who imparted great knowledge about the city onto me. I will definitely recommend these places to my friends and family and am looking forward to visiting them in the near future.