Journals 1-4
1. Impressions of NYC
When I think about New York City, I think mostly about Manhattan; and the rush and excitement of various groups of culturally diverse people living, working or visiting this unique metropolis. I live so near to the city and yet I do not take advantage of the variety that the city has to offer. I have been to the Empire state Building, The Top of the Rock, The Statue of Liberty, Chinatown, Little Italy, The Museum of Natural History, Times Square, South Street Seaport and Rockefeller Center to see the Christmas tree. I have been to shows at Radio City and Madison Square Garden. Being a volunteer firefighter, I have visited several fire stations throughout Manhattan, particularly those near the World Trade Center. I have been on the Circle Line and to the Intrepid. Once, when my uncle came to visit, we went on the Hop on Hop Off bus through Harlem and various sites uptown. As I write this, it seems like I know a lot about the city, but no, there is so much more, and I would like to find out about our great city.
My only memory of the Bronx is the Bronx Zoo, and seeing the black squirrels running across Fordham's campus. My great grandfather lived on Staten Island, but all I remember is going over the Verrazano Bridge to get there, and now as an adult driving through the borough to get to destinations south. Brooklyn is Coney Island to me and the aquarium, memories in the distant past. My dad has a business office in Queens, so I have been to Long Island City many times. Astoria is where I can get great baklava, one of my favorite desserts. I took the Port Authority Police test in Flushing so I know some of that area.
I usually take the train into Manhattan, but I rarely ever go alone. I do not know the subway system and I couldn't tell you which train would take you to your destination. I've slept in the city once at a Marriott in Times Square and it was great but expensive, and that is probably the reason I don't go into the city very often. The train, the food, the shows, are all costly, especially for a college student. When I took the quiz online about the boroughs, I realized there is so much I do not know about our great city and its five boroughs. I look forward to learning more about the history, culture, food, and practical tips and on how to enjoy the city and its diversity.
The city has always held happy memories for me and I look forward to sharing the excitement of learning more about our city with my classmates and teachers. I am hoping that this course will take me to places I have never been before and help me develop an appreciation for things I have yet to experience.
My only memory of the Bronx is the Bronx Zoo, and seeing the black squirrels running across Fordham's campus. My great grandfather lived on Staten Island, but all I remember is going over the Verrazano Bridge to get there, and now as an adult driving through the borough to get to destinations south. Brooklyn is Coney Island to me and the aquarium, memories in the distant past. My dad has a business office in Queens, so I have been to Long Island City many times. Astoria is where I can get great baklava, one of my favorite desserts. I took the Port Authority Police test in Flushing so I know some of that area.
I usually take the train into Manhattan, but I rarely ever go alone. I do not know the subway system and I couldn't tell you which train would take you to your destination. I've slept in the city once at a Marriott in Times Square and it was great but expensive, and that is probably the reason I don't go into the city very often. The train, the food, the shows, are all costly, especially for a college student. When I took the quiz online about the boroughs, I realized there is so much I do not know about our great city and its five boroughs. I look forward to learning more about the history, culture, food, and practical tips and on how to enjoy the city and its diversity.
The city has always held happy memories for me and I look forward to sharing the excitement of learning more about our city with my classmates and teachers. I am hoping that this course will take me to places I have never been before and help me develop an appreciation for things I have yet to experience.
2. Diversified Queens
Today the class was scheduled to meet at Penn Station. I decided to get there early, so I took an early train out of Mineola and met my girlfriend on the train, who was heading for a class at Saint John's. I bought all my round trip tickets and Metro-pass the day before and I was feeling good.
I was the first person to arrive at the Long Island railroad designated spot and a few minutes later Mike arrived. By 11:00 am. the students had assembled and we were off using our newly acquired Metro-passes. We took the E train to the 7 and walked to Flushing Meadow Park. The elevated 7 line has been nicknamed the "International Express", because its route takes passengers through some of the most ethnically diverse communities in North America (Essential New York, 215). Mike gave us a brief lecture at the park, which is the fourth largest of New York's public parks (ENY, 217). We walked by the tennis facility which was hosting the US Open Tennis Tournament that day and headed towards the Unisphere. The Unisphere was built for the 1964-1965 World's Fair. It is the largest global structure in the world and I had never been that close to it before. We then walked to the Queens Museum of Art which houses the Panorama of the City of New York. This was an amazing structure that was "built to scale of 1 inch to 100 feet and includes every building in New York constructed before 1992" (ENY,221). We spent some time at the museum and I was impressed with the watershed exhibit and how New York City has such clean drinkable water.
Back on the subway to Jackson Heights, we headed for the Indian buffet, which Mike highly recommended. I was bold and ate many of the choices and I particularly enjoyed the chicken and rice but, I was not ready to taste the goat.
Then it was on to Astoria and the Museum of Moving Image and Kaufman Astoria Studios. I never realized that so many films were made in this area. Films have been made there since the 1920's.
In Long Island City we saw PS 1, "which operated from 1893 until 196" (ENY, 225). From LIC we could see across the East River to Manhattan and Mike explained to us that although this area was transforming into a desirable community, Manhattan real estate was much more expensive. Across from PS 1 is the former Five Pointz: Institute for Higher Burning where graffitti was once welcomed, but now is being replaced with apartment buildings. The Pepsi Cola sign still remains where the company once had a factory. We also looked at Gantry Plaza State Park and the Long Island sign that was used to transfer cargo from ships to trains.
It was interesting to learn that in the 1920's Corona Ash dumps was a place where "ashes from coal-burning furnaces, horse manure and garbage" was dumped but because of Robert Moses and the 1939 World's Fair this area became usable and today it has been developed into much more desirable real estate. Another interesting fact I learned was that the United Nations set up temporary headquarters in one of World's Fair 1939 buildings from 1946-1951.
Our Queens experience over, we walked over 12 miles and I took the subway back to Manhattan. Mike told us where to go and I met my girlfriend at Penn Station and we walked to the High Line and then eventually headed back on the LIRR. It was a full and interesting day of walking and learning and experiencing parts of the city I have never seen before.
I was the first person to arrive at the Long Island railroad designated spot and a few minutes later Mike arrived. By 11:00 am. the students had assembled and we were off using our newly acquired Metro-passes. We took the E train to the 7 and walked to Flushing Meadow Park. The elevated 7 line has been nicknamed the "International Express", because its route takes passengers through some of the most ethnically diverse communities in North America (Essential New York, 215). Mike gave us a brief lecture at the park, which is the fourth largest of New York's public parks (ENY, 217). We walked by the tennis facility which was hosting the US Open Tennis Tournament that day and headed towards the Unisphere. The Unisphere was built for the 1964-1965 World's Fair. It is the largest global structure in the world and I had never been that close to it before. We then walked to the Queens Museum of Art which houses the Panorama of the City of New York. This was an amazing structure that was "built to scale of 1 inch to 100 feet and includes every building in New York constructed before 1992" (ENY,221). We spent some time at the museum and I was impressed with the watershed exhibit and how New York City has such clean drinkable water.
Back on the subway to Jackson Heights, we headed for the Indian buffet, which Mike highly recommended. I was bold and ate many of the choices and I particularly enjoyed the chicken and rice but, I was not ready to taste the goat.
Then it was on to Astoria and the Museum of Moving Image and Kaufman Astoria Studios. I never realized that so many films were made in this area. Films have been made there since the 1920's.
In Long Island City we saw PS 1, "which operated from 1893 until 196" (ENY, 225). From LIC we could see across the East River to Manhattan and Mike explained to us that although this area was transforming into a desirable community, Manhattan real estate was much more expensive. Across from PS 1 is the former Five Pointz: Institute for Higher Burning where graffitti was once welcomed, but now is being replaced with apartment buildings. The Pepsi Cola sign still remains where the company once had a factory. We also looked at Gantry Plaza State Park and the Long Island sign that was used to transfer cargo from ships to trains.
It was interesting to learn that in the 1920's Corona Ash dumps was a place where "ashes from coal-burning furnaces, horse manure and garbage" was dumped but because of Robert Moses and the 1939 World's Fair this area became usable and today it has been developed into much more desirable real estate. Another interesting fact I learned was that the United Nations set up temporary headquarters in one of World's Fair 1939 buildings from 1946-1951.
Our Queens experience over, we walked over 12 miles and I took the subway back to Manhattan. Mike told us where to go and I met my girlfriend at Penn Station and we walked to the High Line and then eventually headed back on the LIRR. It was a full and interesting day of walking and learning and experiencing parts of the city I have never seen before.
3. Brooklyn
Today I took an early train to Penn Station, met the class and headed to Brooklyn. The F-Train to Coney Island on an elevated train took close to an hour. Brooklyn is the second most densely populated county in the United States with 2.5 million people (ENY, 191). The Battle of Brooklyn in 1776 was the first major battle of the American Revolution and the largest battle of the entire conflict (ENY, 191). Today we stood on the spot where the English troops forced George Washington to retreat from Brooklyn Heights back to Manhattan. Brooklyn is filled with history.
One of the first things you see when you get to Coney Island is the Nathans Sign. We had about an hour to walk around and I walked on the boardwalk, saw the amusement park, the Cyclone which is a wooden roller coaster at Luna Park, "that has been thrilling adventure-seekers since 1927 (ENY, 195) and the Thunderbolt. The day was sunny and the beach looked inviting. I ate at Nathans and had some chicken and cheese fries and rejoined the rest of the class. We passed the Aquarium and I remember being there when I was little but it didn't look as impressive as I remember.
We headed to the Transit Museum at the corner of Boerum Place and Schermerhorn Street. I had never heard of this place before, but the entrance was cool because it looked like a real subway entrance instead of a museum. The museum houses lots of stuff from New York City's transportation system. The antique subway cars were great and the museum was interesting because it showed us how the workers built the tunnels underground.
Brooklyn Heights is a great neighborhood and we saw many architecturally unique homes and brownstones. This area became New York's first commuter community when a steam ferry traveled back and forth across the East River to Manhattan. Along the Brooklyn Heights Promenade there are great views of Manhattan.
On Court Street we came to Brooklyn Borough Hall, the oldest public building in Brooklyn. This building was City Hall for the city of Brooklyn from 1848-1898 until Brooklyn merged with New York (ENY, 203). This building with its columns is an example of Greek Revival architecture. At the Church of St. Ann and the Holy Trinity we saw an example of Gothic Revival architecture. The Chase Bank, formerly The Brooklyn Trust Company Building was completed in 1916 and is done in the Italian Renaissance style (ENY 204). No pictures were allowed to be taken in this building.
Walking east to Brooklyn Bridge Park we were at DUMBO or Down Under the Manhattan Brooklyn Overpass. This area is between the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges and has great views of Manhattan across the river. Parts of the area are still rundown because it was originally a manufacturing area. The Brillo factory can still be seen but eventually it will be torn down and a mall will replace it. Jane's Carousel is located here and Jane and her husband spent 20 years restoring the carousel's 48 wooden horses.
Heading back to Manhattan we walked across the Brooklyn Bridge. Mike told us the bridge was originally constructed to be a walking bridge, but because it was built so strong it was able to handle cars and trucks. The bridge is the oldest suspension bridge in the United States and it is 1.1 miles long. It was completed in 1883 and cost 15 million dollars and the death of 27 men to complete (ENY 208).
After getting out of the subway, I ran to the Long Island Railroad and caught the 7:22 back to Mineola. I was lucky it left one minute late. A full day behind me, I relaxed on the train, headed home and reflected on the variety of experiences that Brooklyn has to offer.
One of the first things you see when you get to Coney Island is the Nathans Sign. We had about an hour to walk around and I walked on the boardwalk, saw the amusement park, the Cyclone which is a wooden roller coaster at Luna Park, "that has been thrilling adventure-seekers since 1927 (ENY, 195) and the Thunderbolt. The day was sunny and the beach looked inviting. I ate at Nathans and had some chicken and cheese fries and rejoined the rest of the class. We passed the Aquarium and I remember being there when I was little but it didn't look as impressive as I remember.
We headed to the Transit Museum at the corner of Boerum Place and Schermerhorn Street. I had never heard of this place before, but the entrance was cool because it looked like a real subway entrance instead of a museum. The museum houses lots of stuff from New York City's transportation system. The antique subway cars were great and the museum was interesting because it showed us how the workers built the tunnels underground.
Brooklyn Heights is a great neighborhood and we saw many architecturally unique homes and brownstones. This area became New York's first commuter community when a steam ferry traveled back and forth across the East River to Manhattan. Along the Brooklyn Heights Promenade there are great views of Manhattan.
On Court Street we came to Brooklyn Borough Hall, the oldest public building in Brooklyn. This building was City Hall for the city of Brooklyn from 1848-1898 until Brooklyn merged with New York (ENY, 203). This building with its columns is an example of Greek Revival architecture. At the Church of St. Ann and the Holy Trinity we saw an example of Gothic Revival architecture. The Chase Bank, formerly The Brooklyn Trust Company Building was completed in 1916 and is done in the Italian Renaissance style (ENY 204). No pictures were allowed to be taken in this building.
Walking east to Brooklyn Bridge Park we were at DUMBO or Down Under the Manhattan Brooklyn Overpass. This area is between the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges and has great views of Manhattan across the river. Parts of the area are still rundown because it was originally a manufacturing area. The Brillo factory can still be seen but eventually it will be torn down and a mall will replace it. Jane's Carousel is located here and Jane and her husband spent 20 years restoring the carousel's 48 wooden horses.
Heading back to Manhattan we walked across the Brooklyn Bridge. Mike told us the bridge was originally constructed to be a walking bridge, but because it was built so strong it was able to handle cars and trucks. The bridge is the oldest suspension bridge in the United States and it is 1.1 miles long. It was completed in 1883 and cost 15 million dollars and the death of 27 men to complete (ENY 208).
After getting out of the subway, I ran to the Long Island Railroad and caught the 7:22 back to Mineola. I was lucky it left one minute late. A full day behind me, I relaxed on the train, headed home and reflected on the variety of experiences that Brooklyn has to offer.
4. Chelsea and the Village
Today was our third trip into Manhattan and again it was a sunny day. I am getting used to catching the train out of Mineola and I almost feel like a commuter. The class met at Penn Station and we started our adventure on the High Line at 30th Street and 10th Avenue, which is an elevated park. I had been there before, so at least I knew where we were. On the way, we passed the old post office which was built in 1912 and will house Amtrak. The Chelsea neighborhood "takes it name from the former estate of British Army Captain Thomas Clark who purchased 94 acres of land along the Hudson in 1750 and named it after his London neighborhood" (ENY,83). The High Line has some amazing views and as we walked along taking pictures most of the class lost Mike and Meritta. Thanks to cell phones, we found out they got off at 10th and 23rd. The High Line is a constructed pathway with plants, trees and flowers, and you can see the original tracks of the L Train. The Chelsea area is filled with art galleries and we stopped in our share of them. We went to the Jack Shainman Gallery and saw artist Nick Cave's work Rescue, interesting, but strange. In Matthew Marks Gallery, we saw works by artist Paul Sietsema. Some of his stuff looks like splattered paint. I don't feel like I got the meaning of most of the work I saw and according to Mike nothing goes for less than $100,000. I must be missing something. I did like the lady with the fake pigeons in the park, they looked real. In Washington Square Park we saw the "300 year old English Elm" that was used for public executions in the 19th Century. Also there is the Washington Square Arch designed by Stanford White which was modeled after the Arc De Triomphe in Paris.
It was time for lunch and 12 of us ate at the 1849 Restaurant and Bar in Greenwich Village. The food was decent, I had the chicken quesadilla. We then met the rest of the class in front of Café Wha? on McDougal Street, "where music legends such as Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, and Jimi Hendrix performed in the 1960's" (ENY,97). On Bleecker Street we learned that, "In the 1890's, this was a drag club called "The Slide" that was popular with both straight and gay men and which reputedly was the first openly gay bar in New York City" (ENY,97).
We walked and saw New York University's property and the Row houses at Washington Square North. "These houses were the first example of controlled urban design in New York" (ENY,96). We stopped at the Merchant's House Museum which is a "wonderfully preserved Federal-style house filled with period furnishings and decorations" (ENY,99). It was interesting to view how a wealthy family lived in the 1800's. It really is a historic home and I hope the construction next to it will not destroy this historic landmark.
At Cooper Square we saw Cooper Union's campus, we saw 41 Cooper Square "the latest addition to the Cooper Union Campus " (ENY 101). This was a strange architecturally designed building, but it certainly stands out. This area is where Abraham Lincoln made a famous speech which helped him to be elected president. We also saw McSorley's Old Ale House, "one of New York's original old dive bars" (ENY,102) and Astor Place and the Russian and Turkish baths. In the West Village is the Big Gay Ice Cream Shop filled with different varieties of ice cream treats.
Finished for today and feeling tired some of us jumped on the subway and headed back to Penn Station. I caught the train back home, glad I didn't have to use the Russian and Turkish bath house or sleep in the hot Merchants House.
It was time for lunch and 12 of us ate at the 1849 Restaurant and Bar in Greenwich Village. The food was decent, I had the chicken quesadilla. We then met the rest of the class in front of Café Wha? on McDougal Street, "where music legends such as Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, and Jimi Hendrix performed in the 1960's" (ENY,97). On Bleecker Street we learned that, "In the 1890's, this was a drag club called "The Slide" that was popular with both straight and gay men and which reputedly was the first openly gay bar in New York City" (ENY,97).
We walked and saw New York University's property and the Row houses at Washington Square North. "These houses were the first example of controlled urban design in New York" (ENY,96). We stopped at the Merchant's House Museum which is a "wonderfully preserved Federal-style house filled with period furnishings and decorations" (ENY,99). It was interesting to view how a wealthy family lived in the 1800's. It really is a historic home and I hope the construction next to it will not destroy this historic landmark.
At Cooper Square we saw Cooper Union's campus, we saw 41 Cooper Square "the latest addition to the Cooper Union Campus " (ENY 101). This was a strange architecturally designed building, but it certainly stands out. This area is where Abraham Lincoln made a famous speech which helped him to be elected president. We also saw McSorley's Old Ale House, "one of New York's original old dive bars" (ENY,102) and Astor Place and the Russian and Turkish baths. In the West Village is the Big Gay Ice Cream Shop filled with different varieties of ice cream treats.
Finished for today and feeling tired some of us jumped on the subway and headed back to Penn Station. I caught the train back home, glad I didn't have to use the Russian and Turkish bath house or sleep in the hot Merchants House.