JOURNALS 1
IMPRESSIONS OF NY
New York City in my opinion is the most beautiful city in the world but unfortunately for me I do not get to spend enough time there. I am lucky to be able to say I live only 40 minutes from the greatest city in the world. When you step into the city you are bum rushed with a variety of different things. The smell of the air, the loads of people, the heights of the buildings, are just a few little things that make NYC come alive. The atmosphere is incredible and brings a different feeling than when you are walking around in long island. Diversity is on every corner and it is amazing to see the interactions between people on a daily basis. Whether you are going to a Broadway play or to China Town for a new bag, New York City is the place to be. It is amazing that you can walk from one neighborhood to another and be completely mind-blown by the differences. The architecture and buildings leave a mark on your memory that you will never forget. The people of New York City show their individuality with pride and truly make the City a beautiful place. With all the honking horns, and yellow cabs, you can never skip a beat in NYC; after all it is the city that never sleeps! I am so excited to learn about different places around these boroughs that offer more than just visual appearance. I look forward to being able to come into the city more often with a variety of different hot spots to visit, and be more knowledgeable and able to help others tour the city like I will. I am lucky to partake in this experience and will post everything I encounter along the way!
New York City in my opinion is the most beautiful city in the world but unfortunately for me I do not get to spend enough time there. I am lucky to be able to say I live only 40 minutes from the greatest city in the world. When you step into the city you are bum rushed with a variety of different things. The smell of the air, the loads of people, the heights of the buildings, are just a few little things that make NYC come alive. The atmosphere is incredible and brings a different feeling than when you are walking around in long island. Diversity is on every corner and it is amazing to see the interactions between people on a daily basis. Whether you are going to a Broadway play or to China Town for a new bag, New York City is the place to be. It is amazing that you can walk from one neighborhood to another and be completely mind-blown by the differences. The architecture and buildings leave a mark on your memory that you will never forget. The people of New York City show their individuality with pride and truly make the City a beautiful place. With all the honking horns, and yellow cabs, you can never skip a beat in NYC; after all it is the city that never sleeps! I am so excited to learn about different places around these boroughs that offer more than just visual appearance. I look forward to being able to come into the city more often with a variety of different hot spots to visit, and be more knowledgeable and able to help others tour the city like I will. I am lucky to partake in this experience and will post everything I encounter along the way!
QUIXOTIC QUEENS
This first experience was absolutely amazing! From the moment I boarded the LIRR in Rockville Centre, nice and calm, to the second I stepped onto the platform in Penn station, bustling with people from all over the place. I was looking forward to this day since I signed up for the class and was ecstatic to actually get myself walking as well as sight-seeing and learning! Although the morning was a little rainy and wet, the weather cleared up and I couldn't of asked for a better day to see the beautiful places we went.
We started off at the Grand Central Terminal, which is the correct name, often called the Grand Central Station. I couldn't believe my eyes when I walked in. The comparison from Penn Station to Grand Central was bizarre. The construction of the Grand Central Terminal took ten years (1903-1913) and cost eighty million dollars (p. 50). The inside of the building was beautifully decorated with glimmering lights and detailed design that was extremely appealing to the eye. On the outside was the clock standing 13 feet in diameter and represents the world's largest example of Tiffany glass (p.50). I found this very interesting because a big part of this day was taking in all the different architectural aspects of the city. We then headed to the Chrysler Building, one of the most elegant skyscrapers in the world (p. 51). The top of this building is stunning. When entering the building I saw employees walking through the security and using very high modes of technology to gain access. I must admit I did not know this building existed, and was very thrilled to visit it for the first time with my class. I was so excited to see the different routes to travel from building to building because I live so close to the city and do not get to take advantage of this factor. Then it was off to the Daily News Building which was a representation of the art deco style. The 37-story building was designed by Raymond Hood, who also was responsible for Rockefeller Center. The buildings flat roof would serve as an inspiration to the modern skyscraper that would follow it (p. 52)
Then it was bathroom break time... where else besides the Waldorf Astoria? I felt like a superstar walking through that place. I even took pictures in the bathroom because they were that insane! If I ever come into a lot of money I know where I'll be staying for the night!! They had a Guerlain Spa, and had Oscar De La Renta showcased in the lobby. It was a dream come true for a wanna be diva like myself. After the fantasizing we continued on to other places like the G.E Capital building which is another Art Deco design that stands 50-stories high. The image of hands grasping lightning bolts is the building's main design motif, representing the harnessing of power of electricity (p. 52). This was super fascinating because it shows that there is hidden meaning behind things. I am familiar with the GE symbol and have seen appliances made by the company, so it was nice to be able to see the building this work stems from. The next part of the day was my favorite. We took the tram, which was by far one of the coolest things I've ever done, to Roosevelt Island and really lucked out with wonderful weather. I took amazing pictures of the Queensboro Bridge, along with the skyline and it was breathtaking. We got to look across at the Pepsi Sign and Long Island City which we would eventually visit. We ventured into Queens for an interesting lunch! I was very proud of myself for stepping out of my comfort zone and trying the Indian Food. I must say I was impressed, and enjoyed the meal. The MoMA was really cool as well, it had a bunch of activities and I of course bought a cool flip book that my friend and I created. Off to Long Island City we went, and it was beautiful to see the view from the other side. The apartments stood high, and had such a cozy vibe. I got to stand right next to the pepsi sign which was pretty awesome, because I have only seen it from the other side and from boat rides. I was so content with our first day's experience and even more thrilled for what the class has in store for us. I learned so much in just one day, and enjoyed seeing places I have never been. It was so nice to walk around and take it all in. I had an awesome day, and was thrilled to get a seat on the train home and give my feet a rest!
This first experience was absolutely amazing! From the moment I boarded the LIRR in Rockville Centre, nice and calm, to the second I stepped onto the platform in Penn station, bustling with people from all over the place. I was looking forward to this day since I signed up for the class and was ecstatic to actually get myself walking as well as sight-seeing and learning! Although the morning was a little rainy and wet, the weather cleared up and I couldn't of asked for a better day to see the beautiful places we went.
We started off at the Grand Central Terminal, which is the correct name, often called the Grand Central Station. I couldn't believe my eyes when I walked in. The comparison from Penn Station to Grand Central was bizarre. The construction of the Grand Central Terminal took ten years (1903-1913) and cost eighty million dollars (p. 50). The inside of the building was beautifully decorated with glimmering lights and detailed design that was extremely appealing to the eye. On the outside was the clock standing 13 feet in diameter and represents the world's largest example of Tiffany glass (p.50). I found this very interesting because a big part of this day was taking in all the different architectural aspects of the city. We then headed to the Chrysler Building, one of the most elegant skyscrapers in the world (p. 51). The top of this building is stunning. When entering the building I saw employees walking through the security and using very high modes of technology to gain access. I must admit I did not know this building existed, and was very thrilled to visit it for the first time with my class. I was so excited to see the different routes to travel from building to building because I live so close to the city and do not get to take advantage of this factor. Then it was off to the Daily News Building which was a representation of the art deco style. The 37-story building was designed by Raymond Hood, who also was responsible for Rockefeller Center. The buildings flat roof would serve as an inspiration to the modern skyscraper that would follow it (p. 52)
Then it was bathroom break time... where else besides the Waldorf Astoria? I felt like a superstar walking through that place. I even took pictures in the bathroom because they were that insane! If I ever come into a lot of money I know where I'll be staying for the night!! They had a Guerlain Spa, and had Oscar De La Renta showcased in the lobby. It was a dream come true for a wanna be diva like myself. After the fantasizing we continued on to other places like the G.E Capital building which is another Art Deco design that stands 50-stories high. The image of hands grasping lightning bolts is the building's main design motif, representing the harnessing of power of electricity (p. 52). This was super fascinating because it shows that there is hidden meaning behind things. I am familiar with the GE symbol and have seen appliances made by the company, so it was nice to be able to see the building this work stems from. The next part of the day was my favorite. We took the tram, which was by far one of the coolest things I've ever done, to Roosevelt Island and really lucked out with wonderful weather. I took amazing pictures of the Queensboro Bridge, along with the skyline and it was breathtaking. We got to look across at the Pepsi Sign and Long Island City which we would eventually visit. We ventured into Queens for an interesting lunch! I was very proud of myself for stepping out of my comfort zone and trying the Indian Food. I must say I was impressed, and enjoyed the meal. The MoMA was really cool as well, it had a bunch of activities and I of course bought a cool flip book that my friend and I created. Off to Long Island City we went, and it was beautiful to see the view from the other side. The apartments stood high, and had such a cozy vibe. I got to stand right next to the pepsi sign which was pretty awesome, because I have only seen it from the other side and from boat rides. I was so content with our first day's experience and even more thrilled for what the class has in store for us. I learned so much in just one day, and enjoyed seeing places I have never been. It was so nice to walk around and take it all in. I had an awesome day, and was thrilled to get a seat on the train home and give my feet a rest!
BROOKLYN
I must say today was seriously one of the best days I've had in a while. As a little girl I spent a lot of time in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, which I always loved. I had only been to Coney Island a few times when I was younger but today really brought me right back to my childhood and sparked some really good memories with some really great people. The morning commute was better the second time around, and I caught a 10:11am train to Penn that got me in at 10:47am. When I arrived at Penn and met with my Mike, Don, and the rest of the class we all prepared for the 45 minute subway ride to Coney Island. Thankfully we had seats because of the time of day, as well as wonderful views because of the elevated train line that we rode on. I was so excited to get there and ride the Cyclone, as well as see all the historic features that still stand. Coney Island is located on the Atlantic in Southwest Brooklyn and is home to 60,000 inhabitants but is known for its amusement parks and seaside attractions (ENY p. 115). I also wrote my paper on Coney Island so it was interesting to hear Mike speak about how this place was named. In the 17th century the Dutch called the island Conyne Eylandt, or Rabbit Island, because of the numerous species of rabbits that populated the area (ENY p. 116). When walking out of the subway, directly across the street is Nathan's Famous on Surf Avenue, which is the famous hotdog stand that opened in Coney Island in 1916 (ENY p. 117). So after taking a panoramic view with my eyes, I knew where I was headed. RIGHT TO THE CYCLONE! The Cyclone is 85-feet tall and has been thrilling adventure seekers since 1927 (ENY p. 117). My friends and I all bought tickets and hopped aboard the first few cars of the roller coaster. I was bold enough to keep my cellphone out to have live footage of the experience, so luckily for you guys attached are two videos from the top of the ride! I laughed and screamed and really did not anticipate the actual drop that roller coaster gives you on your steepest descend! Luckily, we didn't eat lunch until after the rides so no one had any accidents. Off we went to a different ride that I actually thought I was not going to make it off of. On the ride you lay flat on your stomach and it basically looks like your going directly into the wall on every turn. I know for next time I will be sticking strictly to the Cyclone, and the newer roller coaster that was recently built. After that rumbling tummy experience, we decided to go do lunch near by at a more healthy alternative than Nathan's Famous. So we went over to Grimaldi's Brick Oven Pizza and seriously had some of the best thin crust pizza ever!! I had so much fun in Coney Island even though we only had one hour! I went home and told my boyfriend I want to go and spend the day there ASAP.
Then we were back on the subway to our next destination which was Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO. One of New York City's most elegant and picturesque neighborhoods, Brooklyn Heights is an architect buff's delight with block after block of some of the most attractively situated homes in the city (ENY p. 123). That is no lie. The homes were outrageously beautiful with design and architecture like no other. We saw different styles such as gothic buildings and art deco and I was completely stunned. I would love to live in a Brownstone in Brooklyn at some point in my life. Wishful thinking of course :) We ventured on to the Transit Museum on the corner of Boerum Place and Schermerhorn Street. It was a very interesting entrance because it looked like we were going down into the subway which fits the museum well. The collection of antique subway cars give a wonderful illustration of how New York subway cars have evolved over time (ENY p. 125). Trains allowed people to commute easier, spread out the condensed population, and apparently cut down the number of horses that added to the pollution in New York. When subways were created, it was a very dangerous job and workers had to adjust to the harsh conditions underground. I found it very fascinating to see the transformation of the cars and I must admit, I would love if we still had the old cars because they are vintage and awesome! This museum was informative and a cool experience to be apart of. I took a lot of great pictures and will have a lot of memories from this trip. When we saw the former Brooklyn Trust Company Building which is now a Chase bank, I was in awe. It was seriously the most beautiful designs in a bank that I have ever seen. Finally, we were off to the Brooklyn Bridge. My mom grew up in Brooklyn and has always bragged that she walked across the bridge, but today was my first time! The views from the bridge were incredible. I felt completely refreshed... and then it was time to race to the train in order to make a movie back at home! My day in Brooklyn was extraordinary and I can't wait to go back and spend more time in this wonderful city!
I must say today was seriously one of the best days I've had in a while. As a little girl I spent a lot of time in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, which I always loved. I had only been to Coney Island a few times when I was younger but today really brought me right back to my childhood and sparked some really good memories with some really great people. The morning commute was better the second time around, and I caught a 10:11am train to Penn that got me in at 10:47am. When I arrived at Penn and met with my Mike, Don, and the rest of the class we all prepared for the 45 minute subway ride to Coney Island. Thankfully we had seats because of the time of day, as well as wonderful views because of the elevated train line that we rode on. I was so excited to get there and ride the Cyclone, as well as see all the historic features that still stand. Coney Island is located on the Atlantic in Southwest Brooklyn and is home to 60,000 inhabitants but is known for its amusement parks and seaside attractions (ENY p. 115). I also wrote my paper on Coney Island so it was interesting to hear Mike speak about how this place was named. In the 17th century the Dutch called the island Conyne Eylandt, or Rabbit Island, because of the numerous species of rabbits that populated the area (ENY p. 116). When walking out of the subway, directly across the street is Nathan's Famous on Surf Avenue, which is the famous hotdog stand that opened in Coney Island in 1916 (ENY p. 117). So after taking a panoramic view with my eyes, I knew where I was headed. RIGHT TO THE CYCLONE! The Cyclone is 85-feet tall and has been thrilling adventure seekers since 1927 (ENY p. 117). My friends and I all bought tickets and hopped aboard the first few cars of the roller coaster. I was bold enough to keep my cellphone out to have live footage of the experience, so luckily for you guys attached are two videos from the top of the ride! I laughed and screamed and really did not anticipate the actual drop that roller coaster gives you on your steepest descend! Luckily, we didn't eat lunch until after the rides so no one had any accidents. Off we went to a different ride that I actually thought I was not going to make it off of. On the ride you lay flat on your stomach and it basically looks like your going directly into the wall on every turn. I know for next time I will be sticking strictly to the Cyclone, and the newer roller coaster that was recently built. After that rumbling tummy experience, we decided to go do lunch near by at a more healthy alternative than Nathan's Famous. So we went over to Grimaldi's Brick Oven Pizza and seriously had some of the best thin crust pizza ever!! I had so much fun in Coney Island even though we only had one hour! I went home and told my boyfriend I want to go and spend the day there ASAP.
Then we were back on the subway to our next destination which was Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO. One of New York City's most elegant and picturesque neighborhoods, Brooklyn Heights is an architect buff's delight with block after block of some of the most attractively situated homes in the city (ENY p. 123). That is no lie. The homes were outrageously beautiful with design and architecture like no other. We saw different styles such as gothic buildings and art deco and I was completely stunned. I would love to live in a Brownstone in Brooklyn at some point in my life. Wishful thinking of course :) We ventured on to the Transit Museum on the corner of Boerum Place and Schermerhorn Street. It was a very interesting entrance because it looked like we were going down into the subway which fits the museum well. The collection of antique subway cars give a wonderful illustration of how New York subway cars have evolved over time (ENY p. 125). Trains allowed people to commute easier, spread out the condensed population, and apparently cut down the number of horses that added to the pollution in New York. When subways were created, it was a very dangerous job and workers had to adjust to the harsh conditions underground. I found it very fascinating to see the transformation of the cars and I must admit, I would love if we still had the old cars because they are vintage and awesome! This museum was informative and a cool experience to be apart of. I took a lot of great pictures and will have a lot of memories from this trip. When we saw the former Brooklyn Trust Company Building which is now a Chase bank, I was in awe. It was seriously the most beautiful designs in a bank that I have ever seen. Finally, we were off to the Brooklyn Bridge. My mom grew up in Brooklyn and has always bragged that she walked across the bridge, but today was my first time! The views from the bridge were incredible. I felt completely refreshed... and then it was time to race to the train in order to make a movie back at home! My day in Brooklyn was extraordinary and I can't wait to go back and spend more time in this wonderful city!
Chelsea & The Village
Our third day was spent exploring a different part of the city which was Chelsea and the East Village. The neighborhood of Chelsea takes its name from the former estate of British army captain Thomas Clark, who purchased 95 acres of land along the Hudson in 1750 and named it after his London neighborhood (ENY p. 93). We started at the High Line which I really enjoyed. Of course I have never been to this so seeing it for the first time was amazing. The High Line was an old train line that was elevated 30 feet above street level so it was really cool to be walking and seeing the old tracks. The plants you see as you walk through this manmade landscape are species that once grew wild here and are thoughtfully arranged to provide maximum beauty and color during spring, summer and fall (ENY p. 96). I took lots of pictures of the beautiful flowers that I saw as I walked the High Line. While traveling the High Line we were on our way to see some of the worlds most prominent contemporary art galleries. I enjoyed the Juztapoz gallery because I understood most of the art pieces,and I enjoyed one with a wonderful quote "I don't know where I am going, but I am on my way". As for the other galleries, I was not a fan especially the one with all naked genital parts. I understand that to some people this is beautiful but to me I was not very interested. Another gallery I enjoyed was the Gagosian Gallery. This gallery is known for the most expensive pieces in the city. I enjoyed the textures and colors of the pictures and especially the blob-looking one in the middle of the gallery. These pieces were all different which made the walk through extremely interesting. When walking through Washington Square we passed the oldest tree in the city while entering the park. Amazingly this tree---A 300 year old English Elm, standing 110 feet high--- is still alive and located at the northwest corner of Washington Square Park (ENY p. 107). In this park was Stanford White's Washington Arch which was absolutely breathtaking. The design and height was one of a kind. Their were a large variety of people in the park while we walked through and it was interesting to see the regulars and then the tourist like myself. A tourist in my own city! Lunch was delicious but took a long time which led to us not being able to shop around on Bleecker Street. I was not happy about that because there were some really cute shops and boutiques around the area. When we went to the Merchant House I was intrigued by the area. This street contains a magnificent collection of houses from the early 19th century that once housed the families of wealthy bankers and merchants (ENY p. 108). All of the houses are identical in style and were built between 1831-1833 and are noted for the urban design in which they portray. When entering the Merchant House we got a gist of how the servants had to go up and down the four flights of narrow, steep stairs. I really enjoyed how the bedrooms were still the exact same way in which the Tredwell family lived in them many many years ago. This was probably my favorite part of the day besides ice cream obviously... We saw the Alamo in the village which was very cool. The name for this piece derived from Rosenthal's wife comment that the sculpture had the strength of a fortress (ENY). As we spoke in front of the cube their were many people taking pictures pushing it and posing in front for extremely cool pictures. One of the last things we saw was the Cooper Union Buildings. They stood across the street from one another. I found it super cool to be able to see the original Cooper Union Building because this is where Abraham Lincoln made his speech. We were then able to go into the new building across the street. As Mike was telling us about the new building a man walked by and told us he thinks the new building "is the ugliest building in the city, and belongs in downtown Harlem". I thought it was interesting to see someone who spends a lot time in the city vent their opinion on the new design. The different angles and ways the windows sat were designed specifically to save electricity and use as much day light as possible. Then it was off to Big Gay Ice Cream in the Village. Before the class I looked up the menu at BGIC and could not wait to get the Salty Pimp. IT WAS HONESTLY DELICIOUS. It had the perfect amount of salt and caramel and was amazing. Although Mike and Don allowed us to get out of class a little early, Katie P. and I decided to stay and shop around a little. As we walked around it was nice to see the night life begin to pick up and this is definitely an area I would like to come back to and spend a night out. I was the most tired yet after this trip to Chelsea and The Village!
Our third day was spent exploring a different part of the city which was Chelsea and the East Village. The neighborhood of Chelsea takes its name from the former estate of British army captain Thomas Clark, who purchased 95 acres of land along the Hudson in 1750 and named it after his London neighborhood (ENY p. 93). We started at the High Line which I really enjoyed. Of course I have never been to this so seeing it for the first time was amazing. The High Line was an old train line that was elevated 30 feet above street level so it was really cool to be walking and seeing the old tracks. The plants you see as you walk through this manmade landscape are species that once grew wild here and are thoughtfully arranged to provide maximum beauty and color during spring, summer and fall (ENY p. 96). I took lots of pictures of the beautiful flowers that I saw as I walked the High Line. While traveling the High Line we were on our way to see some of the worlds most prominent contemporary art galleries. I enjoyed the Juztapoz gallery because I understood most of the art pieces,and I enjoyed one with a wonderful quote "I don't know where I am going, but I am on my way". As for the other galleries, I was not a fan especially the one with all naked genital parts. I understand that to some people this is beautiful but to me I was not very interested. Another gallery I enjoyed was the Gagosian Gallery. This gallery is known for the most expensive pieces in the city. I enjoyed the textures and colors of the pictures and especially the blob-looking one in the middle of the gallery. These pieces were all different which made the walk through extremely interesting. When walking through Washington Square we passed the oldest tree in the city while entering the park. Amazingly this tree---A 300 year old English Elm, standing 110 feet high--- is still alive and located at the northwest corner of Washington Square Park (ENY p. 107). In this park was Stanford White's Washington Arch which was absolutely breathtaking. The design and height was one of a kind. Their were a large variety of people in the park while we walked through and it was interesting to see the regulars and then the tourist like myself. A tourist in my own city! Lunch was delicious but took a long time which led to us not being able to shop around on Bleecker Street. I was not happy about that because there were some really cute shops and boutiques around the area. When we went to the Merchant House I was intrigued by the area. This street contains a magnificent collection of houses from the early 19th century that once housed the families of wealthy bankers and merchants (ENY p. 108). All of the houses are identical in style and were built between 1831-1833 and are noted for the urban design in which they portray. When entering the Merchant House we got a gist of how the servants had to go up and down the four flights of narrow, steep stairs. I really enjoyed how the bedrooms were still the exact same way in which the Tredwell family lived in them many many years ago. This was probably my favorite part of the day besides ice cream obviously... We saw the Alamo in the village which was very cool. The name for this piece derived from Rosenthal's wife comment that the sculpture had the strength of a fortress (ENY). As we spoke in front of the cube their were many people taking pictures pushing it and posing in front for extremely cool pictures. One of the last things we saw was the Cooper Union Buildings. They stood across the street from one another. I found it super cool to be able to see the original Cooper Union Building because this is where Abraham Lincoln made his speech. We were then able to go into the new building across the street. As Mike was telling us about the new building a man walked by and told us he thinks the new building "is the ugliest building in the city, and belongs in downtown Harlem". I thought it was interesting to see someone who spends a lot time in the city vent their opinion on the new design. The different angles and ways the windows sat were designed specifically to save electricity and use as much day light as possible. Then it was off to Big Gay Ice Cream in the Village. Before the class I looked up the menu at BGIC and could not wait to get the Salty Pimp. IT WAS HONESTLY DELICIOUS. It had the perfect amount of salt and caramel and was amazing. Although Mike and Don allowed us to get out of class a little early, Katie P. and I decided to stay and shop around a little. As we walked around it was nice to see the night life begin to pick up and this is definitely an area I would like to come back to and spend a night out. I was the most tired yet after this trip to Chelsea and The Village!