JOURNALS 2
The Enchanted East Side!
I was very excited to experience East Harlem because I have heard so many stories about the area but was never able to visit and see for myself. Recently, I have heard that Harlem is up and coming and I was very intrigued by the area. East Harlem-- also known as Spanish Harlem or, more colloquially, "El Barrio" -- is a uptown neighborhood of Manhattan, the boundaries of which are the Harlem River to the north, East 96th street to the south, the East river to the east, and Fifth avenue to the west (ENY, p. 85). When walking through Harlem I saw the Carver houses which are also known as the projects and section 8 housing buildings. The project is named after George Washington Carver, an African American scientist, who developed hundreds of uses for the peanut, soybean, and sweet potato (ENY, p. 86). We headed to the Museum of New York City, which I must say had the most beautiful entrance staircase ever. I have a mental screenshot of it so I can have that in my home one day. Anyways, back to the visit! Its worth visiting the museum just to watch the well-made 22 minute documentary, "Timescapes," which provides an engaging multimedia history of New York City (ENY p. 87). We sat to watch a film and it was extremely informative. I learned how the Erie Canal came to be and was very impressed with the film. Then we went upstairs to see how the "Gilded" lived. The jewelry was breathtaking, and I loved the wallpaper on the walls. All of the jewelry was Tiffany and Co. and it shined beautifully. The stairways were amazing, decked out with quotes about New York City and the way New Yorkers live. I am a big quote girl, so this caught my eye for sure. I took a bunch of pictures of the quotes on the walls. When we returned to the bottom floor we were able to view the graffiti and different works of art and they were outstanding. There was one of Jesus with black and red all over and I was very confused by it. I thought the rest of the work was exquisite, and it was very nice to see a beautiful museum hold such pieces that some people don't even consider art. We learned that the artist of this graffiti, Wong, died at a young age.
After viewing the art work, we headed into the cafe for a snack and to meet our tour guide. Luke! what a character. He started by introducing himself, and then we went around in a circle and introduced ourselves and a word that described us. I chose the word alive because I felt very alive and in the moment at that time. When Luke did a rap poem for us I was mind blown. I asked him for the lyrics but he said he didn't have them with him, but he is on youtube. I am still searching for the video! Luke walked us around the various areas of East Harlem and showed us the beautiful painting and art mosaics around the area. We saw the mural dedicated to Rev. Pedro Pietri. Born in Puerto Rico, Pietri was a lifelong resident of East Harlem, a community activist, and the founder of the Nuyorican Poets Cafe (ENY p. 87). Luke explained how this area of Harlem was once so bad the sanitation department refused to come and pick up trash. The people of the area responded by picking up the garbage in the middle of the night and dumping it all in the middle of 5th avenue, this act was known as the Garbage Offensive.
We walked our way over to a bookstore that was funded by individuals who donated $400,000 to the owner since the bank refused her request for a loan toward the opening. The bookstore was very welcoming, and the workers were fantastic. The "Spirit of East Harlem" mural was massive. Created by Hank Prussing in 1978, the mural captures the Latin influences on street life in East Harlem in the 1970's (ENY p. 87). This mural is restored and maintained by Manny Vega. We ventured into the garden called "Modesto Tin Flores Garden" which is operated in collaboration between HopeCommunity and GrowNYC (ENY p. 87). This garden was a shaded area so there were people sitting under the shade eating lunch and just relaxing. In the center of the garden is an outdoor fountain sculpture, called "Seed of Growth," designed by Lina Puerta, much of whose work explores the female body and female experience (ENY, p. 88). I thought this was an interesting piece to have in the center of a garden. On the back wall of this garden is a painting called "Soldares". The mural depicts Mexican artist Frida Kahlo and Puerto Rican poet Julia de Burgos with their hands and hearts intertwined with the flag of their respective countries behind them (ENY, p. 88). When walking on Lexington Avenue we stopped to see the Julia de Burgos mosaic on the wall. This mural created by local artist Manny Vega, celebrates the achievements of the Puerto Rican poet and activist for women's rights and Puerto Rican independence (ENY p. 88). We then were off to a store that sells many herbal medicines and different religious statues. The owner was super sweet and told us a little bit about himself. I found it very interesting that the doctors know of him and send patients his way when they have certain illnesses. I enjoyed this stop but had to make it quick because I was starving for lunch!
We went to El Paso for lunch and I had chicken enchiladas. They were delicious but definitely a little on the spicy side! It was very funny because we happened to break for lunch just as the soccer game was starting and the place was packed! People had horns, and whistles, and were going nuts in the restaurant. It was nice to see how dedicated people are to their country.
After lunch we headed to Central Park from the Harlem side which is the Vanderbilt Gate. Large scale recreational areas, like Central Park, provide those who dwell in densely populated cities with oases of tranquil green space that help take some of the harsh edges off urban living ( ENY, p. 57). Boy oh boy is that the truth! Central Park was absolutely beautiful. We walked through and saw groups of people doing different activities. It made me want to throw on some workout gear and go for a run through the park. We entered the Conservatory Garden, which is composed of three gardens , English, French, and Italian in style ( ENY, p. 59). This was beautiful. I really loved being able to just walk through and take it all in. We got to see the Great Lawn and Belvedere Castle. The boat pond was awesome! I would love to come back sometime and go out on the little boats in the pond. This is a great place to bring a cute little picnic basket and set up camp for a day in the park! I have always seen the "Imagine" sign in pictures but never got to see it in person. So today was the day! We walked into Strawberry Fields. This is dedicated to former Beatle and peace activist, John Lennon (ENY, p. 64). I knew the story of John Lennon's death outside of his home at the Dakota but it was a refresher when Mike and Don spoke of it. This was a really great experience and I was lucky to be able to learn so many new things today. Today was a great day for a great day!!
I was very excited to experience East Harlem because I have heard so many stories about the area but was never able to visit and see for myself. Recently, I have heard that Harlem is up and coming and I was very intrigued by the area. East Harlem-- also known as Spanish Harlem or, more colloquially, "El Barrio" -- is a uptown neighborhood of Manhattan, the boundaries of which are the Harlem River to the north, East 96th street to the south, the East river to the east, and Fifth avenue to the west (ENY, p. 85). When walking through Harlem I saw the Carver houses which are also known as the projects and section 8 housing buildings. The project is named after George Washington Carver, an African American scientist, who developed hundreds of uses for the peanut, soybean, and sweet potato (ENY, p. 86). We headed to the Museum of New York City, which I must say had the most beautiful entrance staircase ever. I have a mental screenshot of it so I can have that in my home one day. Anyways, back to the visit! Its worth visiting the museum just to watch the well-made 22 minute documentary, "Timescapes," which provides an engaging multimedia history of New York City (ENY p. 87). We sat to watch a film and it was extremely informative. I learned how the Erie Canal came to be and was very impressed with the film. Then we went upstairs to see how the "Gilded" lived. The jewelry was breathtaking, and I loved the wallpaper on the walls. All of the jewelry was Tiffany and Co. and it shined beautifully. The stairways were amazing, decked out with quotes about New York City and the way New Yorkers live. I am a big quote girl, so this caught my eye for sure. I took a bunch of pictures of the quotes on the walls. When we returned to the bottom floor we were able to view the graffiti and different works of art and they were outstanding. There was one of Jesus with black and red all over and I was very confused by it. I thought the rest of the work was exquisite, and it was very nice to see a beautiful museum hold such pieces that some people don't even consider art. We learned that the artist of this graffiti, Wong, died at a young age.
After viewing the art work, we headed into the cafe for a snack and to meet our tour guide. Luke! what a character. He started by introducing himself, and then we went around in a circle and introduced ourselves and a word that described us. I chose the word alive because I felt very alive and in the moment at that time. When Luke did a rap poem for us I was mind blown. I asked him for the lyrics but he said he didn't have them with him, but he is on youtube. I am still searching for the video! Luke walked us around the various areas of East Harlem and showed us the beautiful painting and art mosaics around the area. We saw the mural dedicated to Rev. Pedro Pietri. Born in Puerto Rico, Pietri was a lifelong resident of East Harlem, a community activist, and the founder of the Nuyorican Poets Cafe (ENY p. 87). Luke explained how this area of Harlem was once so bad the sanitation department refused to come and pick up trash. The people of the area responded by picking up the garbage in the middle of the night and dumping it all in the middle of 5th avenue, this act was known as the Garbage Offensive.
We walked our way over to a bookstore that was funded by individuals who donated $400,000 to the owner since the bank refused her request for a loan toward the opening. The bookstore was very welcoming, and the workers were fantastic. The "Spirit of East Harlem" mural was massive. Created by Hank Prussing in 1978, the mural captures the Latin influences on street life in East Harlem in the 1970's (ENY p. 87). This mural is restored and maintained by Manny Vega. We ventured into the garden called "Modesto Tin Flores Garden" which is operated in collaboration between HopeCommunity and GrowNYC (ENY p. 87). This garden was a shaded area so there were people sitting under the shade eating lunch and just relaxing. In the center of the garden is an outdoor fountain sculpture, called "Seed of Growth," designed by Lina Puerta, much of whose work explores the female body and female experience (ENY, p. 88). I thought this was an interesting piece to have in the center of a garden. On the back wall of this garden is a painting called "Soldares". The mural depicts Mexican artist Frida Kahlo and Puerto Rican poet Julia de Burgos with their hands and hearts intertwined with the flag of their respective countries behind them (ENY, p. 88). When walking on Lexington Avenue we stopped to see the Julia de Burgos mosaic on the wall. This mural created by local artist Manny Vega, celebrates the achievements of the Puerto Rican poet and activist for women's rights and Puerto Rican independence (ENY p. 88). We then were off to a store that sells many herbal medicines and different religious statues. The owner was super sweet and told us a little bit about himself. I found it very interesting that the doctors know of him and send patients his way when they have certain illnesses. I enjoyed this stop but had to make it quick because I was starving for lunch!
We went to El Paso for lunch and I had chicken enchiladas. They were delicious but definitely a little on the spicy side! It was very funny because we happened to break for lunch just as the soccer game was starting and the place was packed! People had horns, and whistles, and were going nuts in the restaurant. It was nice to see how dedicated people are to their country.
After lunch we headed to Central Park from the Harlem side which is the Vanderbilt Gate. Large scale recreational areas, like Central Park, provide those who dwell in densely populated cities with oases of tranquil green space that help take some of the harsh edges off urban living ( ENY, p. 57). Boy oh boy is that the truth! Central Park was absolutely beautiful. We walked through and saw groups of people doing different activities. It made me want to throw on some workout gear and go for a run through the park. We entered the Conservatory Garden, which is composed of three gardens , English, French, and Italian in style ( ENY, p. 59). This was beautiful. I really loved being able to just walk through and take it all in. We got to see the Great Lawn and Belvedere Castle. The boat pond was awesome! I would love to come back sometime and go out on the little boats in the pond. This is a great place to bring a cute little picnic basket and set up camp for a day in the park! I have always seen the "Imagine" sign in pictures but never got to see it in person. So today was the day! We walked into Strawberry Fields. This is dedicated to former Beatle and peace activist, John Lennon (ENY, p. 64). I knew the story of John Lennon's death outside of his home at the Dakota but it was a refresher when Mike and Don spoke of it. This was a really great experience and I was lucky to be able to learn so many new things today. Today was a great day for a great day!!
Midtown Madness and Morning Side Heights
We started our day again at our usual spot... Penn Station. Today we came out on 34th street facing Macy's. We walked down 35th street and Broadway to Herald Square. Herald Square (actually a triangle) was named after the New York Herald, which had headquarters located there from 1894-1921(ENY p 32). I found it interesting that Broadway is the oldest and arguably the most important street in New York City. The entire length of Broadway runs 13 miles through Manhattan and the Bronx, and continues an additional 18 miles through Westchester county, terminating in Sleepy Hollow (ENY p. 32). People were everywhere. It was so amazing to see people just doing their own thing, and not caring about the hundreds of people doing the same thing next to them. The crime in this area has significantly decreased since the 1980's.
Then we arrived at the heart of Midtown, Times Square. I absolutely love this area. Mike and I were speaking about the different areas and he happened to tell me this was actually his least favorite area to be in. I guess because he is a regular in the City this is a little too touristy for him. As for myself, the flashing lights, and tall buildings that lit up made me super happy. I loved the ads all over the place and the bustling of people. It was fast pace and I loved it. My eyes were glowing as I looked up at the billboards and big screens. If theres one place for me in the city, its definitely Times Square. Times Square is recognized as both the world's busiest intersection as well as the world's most popular tourist attraction (ENY p. 33). The cartoon characters flooded the walkways asking people to take pictures with them, obviously for a fee. I got a hug from Elmo which was pretty sweet. We ventured off to the RCA building, which was renamed to the GE building located at 30 Rockefeller Center. We got to see NBC studios and Mike and Don allowed us to make a pit stop in the gift shop for some goodies! I was so tempted to buy some FRIENDS apparel but instead I just looked around at all the different things the shop had to offer. When we left the building we were standing right in the middle of where the big christmas tree would stand! I was so fascinated by the fact that they turn the ice skating rink into outdoor seating for a restaurant during the summer months. With our back to the GE building, we took in the rest of Rockefeller Center. This complex of buildings constructed during the Depression was one of the first architecturally coordinated developments in New York City and represents the pinnacle of Art Deco architecture and style in New York City (ENY p. 37). It was an amazing sight to see, and definitely one of the prettiest to the eye. Taking in the complex as a whole, you'll undoubtedly agree with those who argue that this is one of the most dignified and delightful public spaces in the United Stated (ENY p. 38).
Then we were off to MoMA! We got our tickets and checked our bags and were off to the fourth floor for some art talk with Don. I had mixed feelings about some of the pieces but obviously kept my "art museum" face on and carried on. I was captivated by Jackson Pollock's painting. His oil and enamel painting was splattered on a huge canvas. Pollock was also known as Jack the Dripper for the splatter paintings. Don had explained that there was definitely a method to this splattering, and no one can do this work without being Jackson Pollock. The splatters were mostly black and brown and had bits of color bursts throughout. Don told us to look at the painting, and picture how trees intertwine with each other, that is how this work interweaves as well. Pollock was an alcoholic, and used drinking as a way of opening up his mind. Pollock died with 2 women in a car accident where he hit a tree that is still standing today. We sat and meditatively stared into the middle of the painting. This art is considered self-referential because you refer it back to yourself. Anything you see in the painting is you putting it there, he didn't put anything in the painting intentionally.
The next artist I enjoyed learning about was William De Koonig. Koonig was very poor and painted with enamel paints, which is paint you would use to paint your house. He would paint on cardboard which turned to be problematic for restoration and preservation. It was thought that he was masogonistic to women and it showed through his art. This piece was a picture of a woman that does not actually look like a woman. Her features were distorted and cockeyed. This was a shock to people in the 1950's because they were expecting abstract art. This was a precursor to other artists like Jasper Jons. There were other cool pieces to look at as well, like the exhibit made from pins only. I couldn't believe that this work was thrown out by a cleaning lady because she thought it was garbage and it turns out to be worth heaps of money! There was another room we entered that had abstract art, but it really looked as if I could do it myself. I definitely appreciate art, and artists and would never disrespect their work, but I just didn't see how some of these pieces were worth millions of dollars.
Then we were off to lunch in Hells Kitchen! I love Thai food so I was excited to have lunch at Yum Yum Bangkok. I had a three course meal that included salad with peanut dressing, steamed dumplings (which were outrageous) and chicken Pad Thai. After lunch I split a coconut bar with Carissa and I have to say it was freaking amazing. It had graham cracker crust, with caramel and chocolate chunks. I could've ate 100 of them. Thankfully we were on a time limit so I only had time to buy one and take it to go!!! After our delicious lunch and dessert we headed into Morningside Heights where we met our tour guide. Originally called Vanderwater's Heights, this area became prominent during the American Revolution at the site of the Battle of Harlem Heights, which was notable for being one of George Washington's first victories during the war (ENY, p. 70).
We stood in front of the NY Episcopal Church which had magnificent neo-gothic architecture. We then headed over to the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. The largest church in the United States and the largest Gothic-style cathedral in the world, the cathedral has room for 3000 worshippers and spans a length of over 600 (ENY, p. 70). This cathedral was breathtaking. It reminded me a lot of the church I visited in Barcelona, Spain. I was proud of myself for relating the styles to one another when seeing this church for the first time. When entering the church, one of the first things you see is an extremely large piece of art that looks like a dragon, hanging from the ceiling. This art work illuminates at night, and has very fine detail throughout. I was absolutely stunned walking around this church. I have never been in a church that was this big. All the side rooms were big enough to host weddings, and other services. If you were going to mass you would not sit in the main church but the side rooms because of the extraordinary size.
After being blown away by the beautiful church we were off to Columbia University. The universities campus was beautiful. The buildings were tall, but there was enough grass to make you feel like you were away at school with a spacious campus. Not a campus that is cramped and cluttered in the city. We were able to walk up (many) stairs to the library, where we all made jokes and compared it to Molloy's public square. The building was exquisite, and the ceilings were my favorite. I loved how high they were and the marble floors. Although the design was beautiful I don't think I would get much studying done there! We tried to see St. Paul's Chapel but unfortunately there was an event going on and we were unable to enter. Next time!
To Riverside Baptist Church we went... This is the tallest church in the United States. This Gothic Revival Church was built in 1927 by the architectural firm of Alens, Pelton, and Collins, with funds donated by John D. Rockerfeller Jr. (ENY, p. 75). This Church is this size because it houses the largest bells in the United States as well. Such fun facts I learned today! This church was very beautiful with magnificent detail on the inside and outside.
We headed to General Grant National Memorial which is home to the famous line, "who's buried in Grant's tomb?" I never knew that the person really buried in Grant's tomb was his wife. 23 years later and I finally have the answer. The tomb is built of white granite and consist of a conical dome sitting atop a square base (ENY, p. 74). The doors were closed for the day when we got there so we were unable to gain access. Just another thing to add to my list of things to do on my own time after this class is over!
We then passed by the Riverbank State Park which is one of only four designated scenic landmarks in New York City. This narrow park is four miles long an runs from 72nd street to 158th street along the Hudson River (ENY, p. 74).
Our final stop was the City College of New York. How beautiful! After hiking up a legit mountain I was excited to be at the top and on level ground viewing the campus! This is the first free public institution of higher education in the United States (ENY). The style was English Gothic and was stunning. I loved that you still got the city vibe but in a college campus. It was awesome.
Today was hot, so I was looking forward to getting home and jumping in the pool. Since we finished up a little bit early today I jumped on an early train home, and went swimming to cool down! I enjoyed todays adventures a lot. I can't believe next week is our last week, I will definitely make the most of it!!
We started our day again at our usual spot... Penn Station. Today we came out on 34th street facing Macy's. We walked down 35th street and Broadway to Herald Square. Herald Square (actually a triangle) was named after the New York Herald, which had headquarters located there from 1894-1921(ENY p 32). I found it interesting that Broadway is the oldest and arguably the most important street in New York City. The entire length of Broadway runs 13 miles through Manhattan and the Bronx, and continues an additional 18 miles through Westchester county, terminating in Sleepy Hollow (ENY p. 32). People were everywhere. It was so amazing to see people just doing their own thing, and not caring about the hundreds of people doing the same thing next to them. The crime in this area has significantly decreased since the 1980's.
Then we arrived at the heart of Midtown, Times Square. I absolutely love this area. Mike and I were speaking about the different areas and he happened to tell me this was actually his least favorite area to be in. I guess because he is a regular in the City this is a little too touristy for him. As for myself, the flashing lights, and tall buildings that lit up made me super happy. I loved the ads all over the place and the bustling of people. It was fast pace and I loved it. My eyes were glowing as I looked up at the billboards and big screens. If theres one place for me in the city, its definitely Times Square. Times Square is recognized as both the world's busiest intersection as well as the world's most popular tourist attraction (ENY p. 33). The cartoon characters flooded the walkways asking people to take pictures with them, obviously for a fee. I got a hug from Elmo which was pretty sweet. We ventured off to the RCA building, which was renamed to the GE building located at 30 Rockefeller Center. We got to see NBC studios and Mike and Don allowed us to make a pit stop in the gift shop for some goodies! I was so tempted to buy some FRIENDS apparel but instead I just looked around at all the different things the shop had to offer. When we left the building we were standing right in the middle of where the big christmas tree would stand! I was so fascinated by the fact that they turn the ice skating rink into outdoor seating for a restaurant during the summer months. With our back to the GE building, we took in the rest of Rockefeller Center. This complex of buildings constructed during the Depression was one of the first architecturally coordinated developments in New York City and represents the pinnacle of Art Deco architecture and style in New York City (ENY p. 37). It was an amazing sight to see, and definitely one of the prettiest to the eye. Taking in the complex as a whole, you'll undoubtedly agree with those who argue that this is one of the most dignified and delightful public spaces in the United Stated (ENY p. 38).
Then we were off to MoMA! We got our tickets and checked our bags and were off to the fourth floor for some art talk with Don. I had mixed feelings about some of the pieces but obviously kept my "art museum" face on and carried on. I was captivated by Jackson Pollock's painting. His oil and enamel painting was splattered on a huge canvas. Pollock was also known as Jack the Dripper for the splatter paintings. Don had explained that there was definitely a method to this splattering, and no one can do this work without being Jackson Pollock. The splatters were mostly black and brown and had bits of color bursts throughout. Don told us to look at the painting, and picture how trees intertwine with each other, that is how this work interweaves as well. Pollock was an alcoholic, and used drinking as a way of opening up his mind. Pollock died with 2 women in a car accident where he hit a tree that is still standing today. We sat and meditatively stared into the middle of the painting. This art is considered self-referential because you refer it back to yourself. Anything you see in the painting is you putting it there, he didn't put anything in the painting intentionally.
The next artist I enjoyed learning about was William De Koonig. Koonig was very poor and painted with enamel paints, which is paint you would use to paint your house. He would paint on cardboard which turned to be problematic for restoration and preservation. It was thought that he was masogonistic to women and it showed through his art. This piece was a picture of a woman that does not actually look like a woman. Her features were distorted and cockeyed. This was a shock to people in the 1950's because they were expecting abstract art. This was a precursor to other artists like Jasper Jons. There were other cool pieces to look at as well, like the exhibit made from pins only. I couldn't believe that this work was thrown out by a cleaning lady because she thought it was garbage and it turns out to be worth heaps of money! There was another room we entered that had abstract art, but it really looked as if I could do it myself. I definitely appreciate art, and artists and would never disrespect their work, but I just didn't see how some of these pieces were worth millions of dollars.
Then we were off to lunch in Hells Kitchen! I love Thai food so I was excited to have lunch at Yum Yum Bangkok. I had a three course meal that included salad with peanut dressing, steamed dumplings (which were outrageous) and chicken Pad Thai. After lunch I split a coconut bar with Carissa and I have to say it was freaking amazing. It had graham cracker crust, with caramel and chocolate chunks. I could've ate 100 of them. Thankfully we were on a time limit so I only had time to buy one and take it to go!!! After our delicious lunch and dessert we headed into Morningside Heights where we met our tour guide. Originally called Vanderwater's Heights, this area became prominent during the American Revolution at the site of the Battle of Harlem Heights, which was notable for being one of George Washington's first victories during the war (ENY, p. 70).
We stood in front of the NY Episcopal Church which had magnificent neo-gothic architecture. We then headed over to the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. The largest church in the United States and the largest Gothic-style cathedral in the world, the cathedral has room for 3000 worshippers and spans a length of over 600 (ENY, p. 70). This cathedral was breathtaking. It reminded me a lot of the church I visited in Barcelona, Spain. I was proud of myself for relating the styles to one another when seeing this church for the first time. When entering the church, one of the first things you see is an extremely large piece of art that looks like a dragon, hanging from the ceiling. This art work illuminates at night, and has very fine detail throughout. I was absolutely stunned walking around this church. I have never been in a church that was this big. All the side rooms were big enough to host weddings, and other services. If you were going to mass you would not sit in the main church but the side rooms because of the extraordinary size.
After being blown away by the beautiful church we were off to Columbia University. The universities campus was beautiful. The buildings were tall, but there was enough grass to make you feel like you were away at school with a spacious campus. Not a campus that is cramped and cluttered in the city. We were able to walk up (many) stairs to the library, where we all made jokes and compared it to Molloy's public square. The building was exquisite, and the ceilings were my favorite. I loved how high they were and the marble floors. Although the design was beautiful I don't think I would get much studying done there! We tried to see St. Paul's Chapel but unfortunately there was an event going on and we were unable to enter. Next time!
To Riverside Baptist Church we went... This is the tallest church in the United States. This Gothic Revival Church was built in 1927 by the architectural firm of Alens, Pelton, and Collins, with funds donated by John D. Rockerfeller Jr. (ENY, p. 75). This Church is this size because it houses the largest bells in the United States as well. Such fun facts I learned today! This church was very beautiful with magnificent detail on the inside and outside.
We headed to General Grant National Memorial which is home to the famous line, "who's buried in Grant's tomb?" I never knew that the person really buried in Grant's tomb was his wife. 23 years later and I finally have the answer. The tomb is built of white granite and consist of a conical dome sitting atop a square base (ENY, p. 74). The doors were closed for the day when we got there so we were unable to gain access. Just another thing to add to my list of things to do on my own time after this class is over!
We then passed by the Riverbank State Park which is one of only four designated scenic landmarks in New York City. This narrow park is four miles long an runs from 72nd street to 158th street along the Hudson River (ENY, p. 74).
Our final stop was the City College of New York. How beautiful! After hiking up a legit mountain I was excited to be at the top and on level ground viewing the campus! This is the first free public institution of higher education in the United States (ENY). The style was English Gothic and was stunning. I loved that you still got the city vibe but in a college campus. It was awesome.
Today was hot, so I was looking forward to getting home and jumping in the pool. Since we finished up a little bit early today I jumped on an early train home, and went swimming to cool down! I enjoyed todays adventures a lot. I can't believe next week is our last week, I will definitely make the most of it!!
Lower Manhattan
WOW today was amazing. Definitely my favorite day of the class. We got to Penn and were off to lower Manhattan. Lower Manhattan--that section of the island between New York Harbor to the south and City Hall to the north--is where it all began for the City of New York. The southernmost tip of Manhattan is where the Dutch had established their colony of Nieuw Amsterdam in 1624. In the 17th century about 1000 people lived in the Dutch colony, although most were of non-dutch origin. North America's first great melting pot, its said that no less that 18 languages were spoken in Nieuw Amsterdam (ENY,PDF). Lower Manhattan is a very significant piece of American history. This area of New York is home to Wall Street, and more importantly the land in which the World Trade Center towers once stood.
I knew today was going to be a roller coaster of emotions because we were going to be standing where the towers came down. I was anxious/nervous all at the same time. We were going to see the chapel in which George Washington attended services, and where the rescuers and families of 9-11 victims came to pray and sleep after the towers came down. St. Paul's Chapel is the oldest church in Manhattan and was built in 1764. This church was built as the uptown church of trinity parish. As you enter the chapel, pay attention to its exquisite details- particularly the handcrafted woodwork by noted craftsmen Andrew Gautier and the gilded ornamental decoration over the altar by Pierre Charles L’Enfant, who designed the city of Washington, As you quickly notice, the chapel has become a memorial for those who have died at Ground Zero (ENY, PDF). I immediately saw a picture of my friends uncle who passed away, and it sent chills down my spine. I never knew about the tribute in the church dedicated to the innocent people that lost their lives on this tragic day.
At the church I saw the graveyard that is on site, I was a little iffy about the idea but I then rethought it and realized that for the families of the people here, this was a beautiful way to always remember them and be able to visit their resting place. We asked why this church did not get damaged since it was so close to where the towers came down and Mike and Don told us there was a tree that was blocking the church from all the debris and therefore the church experienced no damage. The 100 year old sycamore tree is now bronzed in a nearby area for people to visit. From the path of the church we all just looked up at the Freedom Tower, remembering the day that the towers came down. September 11th 2001. On September 11th 2001, 19 terrorists affiliated with the Islamic extremist group al Qaeda hijacked four commercial airlines, crashing one into the Pentagon in Virginia and two into the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan. The attack on the World Trade Center that day killed 2,977 victims making it the worst terrorist attack on American soil in the nations history (ENY,PDF).
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From that point on, I started picturing the towers coming down from each spot I visited that day since the towers would have been in plain view. It brought me back to a time that I remember so vividly. I remember sitting in my 5th grade class and my teacher finding out before anyone else because she had the radio playing in our classroom. She ran out of the room to the office, and then one by one children were being called out of class. My best friend at the time was pulled from class because her mom was working in a neighboring building. I left school with her, a little 5th grader with no idea what was going on. For hours her mom was not located because the cellphone service was obviously a disaster. Being so young, it was so hard to comprehend what had happened.
This building frenzy reached its culmination in 1972 with the Twin Towers—the tallest buildings in the world at the time. The area would be scarred—both emotionally as well as physically—by the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. There were fears at the time that this tragedy would spell the end of Lower Manhattan’s dominance as a commercial center. In fact, the opposite has been the case. Since 2001, the neighborhood has bounced back, stronger and more vibrant than ever (ENY, PDF). The World Trade Center was a 16 acre commercial complex built between 1966 and 1987, which contained seven buildings and an underground shopping mall centered around a large plaza (ENY, PDF). I am so lucky to be able to say that I see the bounce-back almost 14 years later. I was looking forward to the memorial that we would visit later on in the day.
Moving forward was a bit of a drag because all the memories were flooding my brain, but I knew that we were in for an exciting trip today. We were off to Wall Street. In the 19th century Lower Manhattan was home to Wall Street—one of the nation’s first financial districts—as well as to many of the nation’s largest corporations, each of which strove to outdo the other in producing evermore towering office buildings (ENY, PDF). I was really interested in seeing this part of lower Manhattan because I only know people who work here, but have never been here before. And of course I saw Wolf of Wall Street so I was curious if I'd see some of what I saw in the movie :).
City Hall was another place we visited today and Mike told us how this is a once in a lifetime experience because you are not able to just stroll through City Hall on a day to day basis. The area around City Hall in Lower Manhattan has become known as the Civic Center, primarily because the neighborhood houses most of the city’s governmental offices (ENY, PDF). I knew this class was doing what Mike intended when I looked across the way and saw the Brooklyn Bridge. I was able to quickly recognize the sights and knew my surroundings. I was proud I must say. Upon exiting the Brooklyn Bridge subway station, you’ll find yourself in the heart of the Civic Center section of Lower Manhattan. Directly behind the station in City Hall Park is New York City Hall, which houses the Offices of the Mayor and the City Council. This is actually New York’s third city hall (ENY, PDF). We were then able to enter the building and were given a tour. The staircase was phenomenal. We visited the Governors Room which was painted a cool turquoise color, and had the original walls and color from when it was declared "Governors Room". Our tour guide was very informative, but soft spoken which made the tour a little dragged out. Or maybe were just used to Mike and Don being informative and fun all at the same time?... yeah that might be it!
I was so excited to see the 9-11 Memorial, which opened in 2011, was the result of a competition launched by the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation in 2003 (ENY, PDF). I have never visited this spot before but I always wanted to. Mike and Don gave us some time to walk around the fountain and just take it all in. I could've stayed their for hours. The sound of the water falling into the pool was so serene and calming. I felt like I was in a trance, just thinking of the day, and praying for the people that this memorial was dedicated to. I went over to the computer and searched for a friend of mines uncle. I found his name and Katie and I went to find his engraved name. I ran my fingers across to say hello, and took a picture for my friend because I knew he would appreciate it. I felt very grateful to be from America as I stood there. The air, the smell, the people flooded around, just showed me how special this place really is. I can't wait to go back and visit again.
One of our last stops was to Governors Island, which was a first for me! We payed two bucks and hopped on the ferry. Although the ferry was rocking like a seesaw I was excited to see the views from the boat, and to sit down for a few minutes. Mike told us the ride would take 30 minutes but it took all of 10 minutes... so a short rest it was, but still very enjoyable. We got off the ferry and laid in the grass for a few minutes to reflect and chat with the class, and Mike and Don. Then we were off! We looked at the map and briskly walked over to the bike rentals. We were hoping for a bike that could hold 4 people at once, but they only had Tandums that rode 2 at a time. Katie and I rented 1 bike, and Carissa and Amanda rented the other and off we went. Watching Carissa and Amanda get started was hysterical. We were laughing so hard. We rode around the island and saw all the views of the skyline from the bikes. It was a workout for sure and was definitely working up our appetites!! So we circled around and looked for some good eats. Unfortunately, there is no such this on Governors Island as "good eats". I bought a $13 quesadilla that had 4 pieces and barely any meat in it. Whatever the rest of the experience was great, but they definitely need to improve in their food department! We went off roading onto the softball field because it was a short cut to see my girl Lady Liberty. We sat and took a ton of pictures of the Statue of Liberty as well as the Freedom Tower. It was so beautiful. Then we decided to relax for our last part of this trip on the tire swing. Carissa didn't know what she was in for. We swung slowly for a few and then all jumped off and swung Carissa high up into the air. She was screaming and we were laughing :) It was a lot of fun!!! A great way to end our trip to Governors Island.
Our last trip was to Fraunces Tavern, which is a museum upstairs, and a restaurant downstairs. Very cool spot. The museum had a show where women would sing and dance and perform like the people during that time. I enjoyed that a lot. We were free to go after this viewing, so we went back to the park where there was a group of people performing dance and gymnastics moves. Katie was picked to go in the middle and I videoed her. The man jumped over her and 5 other people! They were so talented. I had an amazing day today, and really would love to revisit all of these places again.
WOW today was amazing. Definitely my favorite day of the class. We got to Penn and were off to lower Manhattan. Lower Manhattan--that section of the island between New York Harbor to the south and City Hall to the north--is where it all began for the City of New York. The southernmost tip of Manhattan is where the Dutch had established their colony of Nieuw Amsterdam in 1624. In the 17th century about 1000 people lived in the Dutch colony, although most were of non-dutch origin. North America's first great melting pot, its said that no less that 18 languages were spoken in Nieuw Amsterdam (ENY,PDF). Lower Manhattan is a very significant piece of American history. This area of New York is home to Wall Street, and more importantly the land in which the World Trade Center towers once stood.
I knew today was going to be a roller coaster of emotions because we were going to be standing where the towers came down. I was anxious/nervous all at the same time. We were going to see the chapel in which George Washington attended services, and where the rescuers and families of 9-11 victims came to pray and sleep after the towers came down. St. Paul's Chapel is the oldest church in Manhattan and was built in 1764. This church was built as the uptown church of trinity parish. As you enter the chapel, pay attention to its exquisite details- particularly the handcrafted woodwork by noted craftsmen Andrew Gautier and the gilded ornamental decoration over the altar by Pierre Charles L’Enfant, who designed the city of Washington, As you quickly notice, the chapel has become a memorial for those who have died at Ground Zero (ENY, PDF). I immediately saw a picture of my friends uncle who passed away, and it sent chills down my spine. I never knew about the tribute in the church dedicated to the innocent people that lost their lives on this tragic day.
At the church I saw the graveyard that is on site, I was a little iffy about the idea but I then rethought it and realized that for the families of the people here, this was a beautiful way to always remember them and be able to visit their resting place. We asked why this church did not get damaged since it was so close to where the towers came down and Mike and Don told us there was a tree that was blocking the church from all the debris and therefore the church experienced no damage. The 100 year old sycamore tree is now bronzed in a nearby area for people to visit. From the path of the church we all just looked up at the Freedom Tower, remembering the day that the towers came down. September 11th 2001. On September 11th 2001, 19 terrorists affiliated with the Islamic extremist group al Qaeda hijacked four commercial airlines, crashing one into the Pentagon in Virginia and two into the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan. The attack on the World Trade Center that day killed 2,977 victims making it the worst terrorist attack on American soil in the nations history (ENY,PDF).
.
From that point on, I started picturing the towers coming down from each spot I visited that day since the towers would have been in plain view. It brought me back to a time that I remember so vividly. I remember sitting in my 5th grade class and my teacher finding out before anyone else because she had the radio playing in our classroom. She ran out of the room to the office, and then one by one children were being called out of class. My best friend at the time was pulled from class because her mom was working in a neighboring building. I left school with her, a little 5th grader with no idea what was going on. For hours her mom was not located because the cellphone service was obviously a disaster. Being so young, it was so hard to comprehend what had happened.
This building frenzy reached its culmination in 1972 with the Twin Towers—the tallest buildings in the world at the time. The area would be scarred—both emotionally as well as physically—by the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. There were fears at the time that this tragedy would spell the end of Lower Manhattan’s dominance as a commercial center. In fact, the opposite has been the case. Since 2001, the neighborhood has bounced back, stronger and more vibrant than ever (ENY, PDF). The World Trade Center was a 16 acre commercial complex built between 1966 and 1987, which contained seven buildings and an underground shopping mall centered around a large plaza (ENY, PDF). I am so lucky to be able to say that I see the bounce-back almost 14 years later. I was looking forward to the memorial that we would visit later on in the day.
Moving forward was a bit of a drag because all the memories were flooding my brain, but I knew that we were in for an exciting trip today. We were off to Wall Street. In the 19th century Lower Manhattan was home to Wall Street—one of the nation’s first financial districts—as well as to many of the nation’s largest corporations, each of which strove to outdo the other in producing evermore towering office buildings (ENY, PDF). I was really interested in seeing this part of lower Manhattan because I only know people who work here, but have never been here before. And of course I saw Wolf of Wall Street so I was curious if I'd see some of what I saw in the movie :).
City Hall was another place we visited today and Mike told us how this is a once in a lifetime experience because you are not able to just stroll through City Hall on a day to day basis. The area around City Hall in Lower Manhattan has become known as the Civic Center, primarily because the neighborhood houses most of the city’s governmental offices (ENY, PDF). I knew this class was doing what Mike intended when I looked across the way and saw the Brooklyn Bridge. I was able to quickly recognize the sights and knew my surroundings. I was proud I must say. Upon exiting the Brooklyn Bridge subway station, you’ll find yourself in the heart of the Civic Center section of Lower Manhattan. Directly behind the station in City Hall Park is New York City Hall, which houses the Offices of the Mayor and the City Council. This is actually New York’s third city hall (ENY, PDF). We were then able to enter the building and were given a tour. The staircase was phenomenal. We visited the Governors Room which was painted a cool turquoise color, and had the original walls and color from when it was declared "Governors Room". Our tour guide was very informative, but soft spoken which made the tour a little dragged out. Or maybe were just used to Mike and Don being informative and fun all at the same time?... yeah that might be it!
I was so excited to see the 9-11 Memorial, which opened in 2011, was the result of a competition launched by the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation in 2003 (ENY, PDF). I have never visited this spot before but I always wanted to. Mike and Don gave us some time to walk around the fountain and just take it all in. I could've stayed their for hours. The sound of the water falling into the pool was so serene and calming. I felt like I was in a trance, just thinking of the day, and praying for the people that this memorial was dedicated to. I went over to the computer and searched for a friend of mines uncle. I found his name and Katie and I went to find his engraved name. I ran my fingers across to say hello, and took a picture for my friend because I knew he would appreciate it. I felt very grateful to be from America as I stood there. The air, the smell, the people flooded around, just showed me how special this place really is. I can't wait to go back and visit again.
One of our last stops was to Governors Island, which was a first for me! We payed two bucks and hopped on the ferry. Although the ferry was rocking like a seesaw I was excited to see the views from the boat, and to sit down for a few minutes. Mike told us the ride would take 30 minutes but it took all of 10 minutes... so a short rest it was, but still very enjoyable. We got off the ferry and laid in the grass for a few minutes to reflect and chat with the class, and Mike and Don. Then we were off! We looked at the map and briskly walked over to the bike rentals. We were hoping for a bike that could hold 4 people at once, but they only had Tandums that rode 2 at a time. Katie and I rented 1 bike, and Carissa and Amanda rented the other and off we went. Watching Carissa and Amanda get started was hysterical. We were laughing so hard. We rode around the island and saw all the views of the skyline from the bikes. It was a workout for sure and was definitely working up our appetites!! So we circled around and looked for some good eats. Unfortunately, there is no such this on Governors Island as "good eats". I bought a $13 quesadilla that had 4 pieces and barely any meat in it. Whatever the rest of the experience was great, but they definitely need to improve in their food department! We went off roading onto the softball field because it was a short cut to see my girl Lady Liberty. We sat and took a ton of pictures of the Statue of Liberty as well as the Freedom Tower. It was so beautiful. Then we decided to relax for our last part of this trip on the tire swing. Carissa didn't know what she was in for. We swung slowly for a few and then all jumped off and swung Carissa high up into the air. She was screaming and we were laughing :) It was a lot of fun!!! A great way to end our trip to Governors Island.
Our last trip was to Fraunces Tavern, which is a museum upstairs, and a restaurant downstairs. Very cool spot. The museum had a show where women would sing and dance and perform like the people during that time. I enjoyed that a lot. We were free to go after this viewing, so we went back to the park where there was a group of people performing dance and gymnastics moves. Katie was picked to go in the middle and I videoed her. The man jumped over her and 5 other people! They were so talented. I had an amazing day today, and really would love to revisit all of these places again.
Immigrant New York
So today we started what was the end of the best class I ever took! Our last day :( We started early today, because we had a tour at the Tenement museum at exactly 11:30am. When we arrived we were greeted by our tour guide who was overly excited to meet us and teach us about the families who lived in these tenements. We were told it was going to be hot, and were given fans to keep ourselves cool. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the size and living conditions of these tenements. The tenement itself only consisted of 3 rooms and no bathroom. The families would have to go to the backyard where there was a toilet, which meant going up and down 4 flights of stairs in some cases. Until the later days when 2 bathrooms were added, but were shared by all the families. This was so bizarre to me, and just goes to show what it used to be like. I couldn't imagine living like this, and it really makes you appreciate what you have and where you come from. The kitchen was normally the center room, and depending on the size of the family could be turned into a bedroom if necessary. Then there was one bedroom, ad a parlor area that served as the third room. We were told two stories of two different families that lived in these tenements.
The first family story we heard was of a German Family, whom had 4 children but unfortunately the youngest baby Isaac passed away from diarrhea. This was common in this day because children were dehydrated from lack of water sources. The husband left the family leaving the duties to the mother to care for the children and provide. She became a dressmaker, which is a higher quality job than a seamstress. She essentially was a business owner and mad clients that would come to her when they needed the updated fashion, or to just fix something that they already owned. Luckily for her, this made her enough money to provide for her family, and later on she was able to move herself and her family out of the tenements into a better neighborhood.
Next we visited the other tenement which was home to an Italian family who came over from Palermo, Sicily (where I am from!!). The husband intended on moving back to Italy but loved it here so much that he insisted his new wife come to America as well so they could start their family. They had two children and one was named Josephine. Luckily for us, Josephine was recorded giving her story of life in the tenements, and how she remembered her mother and father. I was really amazed by the tape recording because everything that we were seeing was exactly what she was describing. It gave me insight on the real way they lived during this time. She remembered playing games on the kitchen table with her father, and her mother crying because she missed her family and knew she would never see them again. I was really impressed by the museum and especially how well educated our tour guide was. This was an experience I'll never forget!
After our tenement experience we were split into groups to go explore different parts of China Town. Luckily for our group, Charles works around here and knew his way around. So he led the way! We were off to Mott Street and were told to try one of the foods on this block. Our group decided to try the Bubble Tea at ViVA. It was AMAZING! but they definitely put way too many tapioca pearls in the tea! Pork buns were so popular in this area, everyone was eating them! Then we were off to Canal Street. I was so excited. I have been here before but not for a while so I wanted to see what I could find! We were approached by a bunch of men and women looking to sell us fake pocketbooks. They were trying to charge way too much money so we kept walking.
Then we fell upon Little Italy.. by accident? ;) hehe well anyways, I was happy to be here! I saw cannoli stands and gelato stands and was basically in heaven on earth! I really want to come back at night and have some gourmet Italian food at this place!
We were told to meet back for lunch around 2pm to have some Chinese food. The restaurant was interesting, the food revolved around the table. I enjoyed the sesame chicken and the fried rice, and I loved the spicy vegetables. These three things seemed to be the favorites of our table so they went fast, and unfortunately Mike had a budget so we didn't get as much as we would have liked! Overall, the food was delicious though!
Then it was time for one last tour with our favorite tour guide Jim! We were headed to the 1st Settlement House established in 1886 on Eldridge Street, later renamed University Settlement. This is said to be the 2nd Settlement house in the world. We traveled on to a Synagogue built in Beaux and Art Deco design by Emery Roth on Rivington Street. We crossed over to Allen Street and 2nd Avenue, which had a lot of tenements that were torn down to make Allen Street wider. Next stop, THE ECONOMY CANDY STORE! 108 Rivington Street, you are amazing. This candy store was unbelievable. It opened in 1937 and had just about every piece of candy you can imagine. Katie and I split a chocolate covered oreo and a chocolate covered graham cracker. Literally delicious. We had a mini water fight outside of the candy store which definitely cooled me down!! Thanks Katie!
Off we went to Essex Street and Rivington Street, where if you look up to your left you see the statue on top of the Red Square Apartment building which is a statue of Russian Lenin. This area was occupied by a lot of jewish people, and was once the most densely populated area in the world. Because of the congestion in Manhattan, the Williamsburg bridge was built to help. We then visited the oldest Baptist Church in the City from 1815. Next stop, Saint Mary's Church which is the 3rd oldest church in New York City. At one time it had six bishop priest. Just as we were walking up to the front of the building a beautiful butterfly landed on Katie's backpack and came along for the walk. I was always told that when a butterfly comes around, it is someone from heaven visiting you. We said our hello's to our friends that passed and continued on, although the butterfly didn't! He stayed to hang out with us and the rest of our classmates as he bounced back and forth from person to person and then even into the church when we went in!!
Saint Augustine Episcopal Church at 290 Henry Street was our next stop. Built in 1829, this church stands as the oldest church. At one point this church merged with Trinity Church. Then we headed to another settlement, the Henry Street Settlement founded in 1893. The president of this settlement was Seth Low. Then our last stop was to the most beautiful Synagogue in the United States standing right on Eldridge Street. I felt so lucky to be able to look at it up close and be told information about it. Our class was officially coming to an end. I felt so grateful for the experience and really enjoyed our last class.
We decided to stay out in the city for some dinner and drinks, but we didn't go over the Williamsburg Bridge. Instead we headed back to Chelsea, where we went to the Beer Garden at the Standard Hotel. But first we needed to change our clothes. Haha so guess what we did! We went into Old Navy by Penn Station, and grabbed some things to try on, while "trying on" we swapped clothes with what we had packed and came out in normal clothes with our sneakers and workout gear stuffed in our backpacks. We then headed to Sephora to freshen up :) This was a memory in itself for sure. Katie, Carissa, Amanda and I then hopped in a taxi and headed to the Beir Garden... yes that is how they spell "beer" there. We grabbed a few drinks, and headed to the top of the Brass Monkey for some delicious dinner and WONDERFUL views of the sunset! It was amazing. I saw the high line, and immediately thought of Mike and Don and our class and I was saddened that it was over! We hung for a while then headed home after a very long last day in NYC!
So today we started what was the end of the best class I ever took! Our last day :( We started early today, because we had a tour at the Tenement museum at exactly 11:30am. When we arrived we were greeted by our tour guide who was overly excited to meet us and teach us about the families who lived in these tenements. We were told it was going to be hot, and were given fans to keep ourselves cool. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the size and living conditions of these tenements. The tenement itself only consisted of 3 rooms and no bathroom. The families would have to go to the backyard where there was a toilet, which meant going up and down 4 flights of stairs in some cases. Until the later days when 2 bathrooms were added, but were shared by all the families. This was so bizarre to me, and just goes to show what it used to be like. I couldn't imagine living like this, and it really makes you appreciate what you have and where you come from. The kitchen was normally the center room, and depending on the size of the family could be turned into a bedroom if necessary. Then there was one bedroom, ad a parlor area that served as the third room. We were told two stories of two different families that lived in these tenements.
The first family story we heard was of a German Family, whom had 4 children but unfortunately the youngest baby Isaac passed away from diarrhea. This was common in this day because children were dehydrated from lack of water sources. The husband left the family leaving the duties to the mother to care for the children and provide. She became a dressmaker, which is a higher quality job than a seamstress. She essentially was a business owner and mad clients that would come to her when they needed the updated fashion, or to just fix something that they already owned. Luckily for her, this made her enough money to provide for her family, and later on she was able to move herself and her family out of the tenements into a better neighborhood.
Next we visited the other tenement which was home to an Italian family who came over from Palermo, Sicily (where I am from!!). The husband intended on moving back to Italy but loved it here so much that he insisted his new wife come to America as well so they could start their family. They had two children and one was named Josephine. Luckily for us, Josephine was recorded giving her story of life in the tenements, and how she remembered her mother and father. I was really amazed by the tape recording because everything that we were seeing was exactly what she was describing. It gave me insight on the real way they lived during this time. She remembered playing games on the kitchen table with her father, and her mother crying because she missed her family and knew she would never see them again. I was really impressed by the museum and especially how well educated our tour guide was. This was an experience I'll never forget!
After our tenement experience we were split into groups to go explore different parts of China Town. Luckily for our group, Charles works around here and knew his way around. So he led the way! We were off to Mott Street and were told to try one of the foods on this block. Our group decided to try the Bubble Tea at ViVA. It was AMAZING! but they definitely put way too many tapioca pearls in the tea! Pork buns were so popular in this area, everyone was eating them! Then we were off to Canal Street. I was so excited. I have been here before but not for a while so I wanted to see what I could find! We were approached by a bunch of men and women looking to sell us fake pocketbooks. They were trying to charge way too much money so we kept walking.
Then we fell upon Little Italy.. by accident? ;) hehe well anyways, I was happy to be here! I saw cannoli stands and gelato stands and was basically in heaven on earth! I really want to come back at night and have some gourmet Italian food at this place!
We were told to meet back for lunch around 2pm to have some Chinese food. The restaurant was interesting, the food revolved around the table. I enjoyed the sesame chicken and the fried rice, and I loved the spicy vegetables. These three things seemed to be the favorites of our table so they went fast, and unfortunately Mike had a budget so we didn't get as much as we would have liked! Overall, the food was delicious though!
Then it was time for one last tour with our favorite tour guide Jim! We were headed to the 1st Settlement House established in 1886 on Eldridge Street, later renamed University Settlement. This is said to be the 2nd Settlement house in the world. We traveled on to a Synagogue built in Beaux and Art Deco design by Emery Roth on Rivington Street. We crossed over to Allen Street and 2nd Avenue, which had a lot of tenements that were torn down to make Allen Street wider. Next stop, THE ECONOMY CANDY STORE! 108 Rivington Street, you are amazing. This candy store was unbelievable. It opened in 1937 and had just about every piece of candy you can imagine. Katie and I split a chocolate covered oreo and a chocolate covered graham cracker. Literally delicious. We had a mini water fight outside of the candy store which definitely cooled me down!! Thanks Katie!
Off we went to Essex Street and Rivington Street, where if you look up to your left you see the statue on top of the Red Square Apartment building which is a statue of Russian Lenin. This area was occupied by a lot of jewish people, and was once the most densely populated area in the world. Because of the congestion in Manhattan, the Williamsburg bridge was built to help. We then visited the oldest Baptist Church in the City from 1815. Next stop, Saint Mary's Church which is the 3rd oldest church in New York City. At one time it had six bishop priest. Just as we were walking up to the front of the building a beautiful butterfly landed on Katie's backpack and came along for the walk. I was always told that when a butterfly comes around, it is someone from heaven visiting you. We said our hello's to our friends that passed and continued on, although the butterfly didn't! He stayed to hang out with us and the rest of our classmates as he bounced back and forth from person to person and then even into the church when we went in!!
Saint Augustine Episcopal Church at 290 Henry Street was our next stop. Built in 1829, this church stands as the oldest church. At one point this church merged with Trinity Church. Then we headed to another settlement, the Henry Street Settlement founded in 1893. The president of this settlement was Seth Low. Then our last stop was to the most beautiful Synagogue in the United States standing right on Eldridge Street. I felt so lucky to be able to look at it up close and be told information about it. Our class was officially coming to an end. I felt so grateful for the experience and really enjoyed our last class.
We decided to stay out in the city for some dinner and drinks, but we didn't go over the Williamsburg Bridge. Instead we headed back to Chelsea, where we went to the Beer Garden at the Standard Hotel. But first we needed to change our clothes. Haha so guess what we did! We went into Old Navy by Penn Station, and grabbed some things to try on, while "trying on" we swapped clothes with what we had packed and came out in normal clothes with our sneakers and workout gear stuffed in our backpacks. We then headed to Sephora to freshen up :) This was a memory in itself for sure. Katie, Carissa, Amanda and I then hopped in a taxi and headed to the Beir Garden... yes that is how they spell "beer" there. We grabbed a few drinks, and headed to the top of the Brass Monkey for some delicious dinner and WONDERFUL views of the sunset! It was amazing. I saw the high line, and immediately thought of Mike and Don and our class and I was saddened that it was over! We hung for a while then headed home after a very long last day in NYC!
Overall Experience of New York City
Let me just start by saying wow. I was so lucky to experience this class with such qualified professors who really knew their stuff. From the architecture to the art, to the museums, to the relaxation spots and places to eat, I feel overwhelmed with knowledge from this class. I admire the dedication that Mike and Don put forth into this class, and really want you both to know it does not go unnoticed! I have learned more about NYC from just these 7 classes alone, than I have in the past 23 years I have been living! Now that must say something!
I must say Coney Island was one of the classes I will never forget, as well as Lower Manhattan. I laughed a lot and made memories with friends that I will keep forever. This class was memorable and informative and delivered way more information than I had expected. I feel comfortable on a subway, now that is something I never thought I would be able to say! I learned way more about the history of New York than what I had expected entering the class. I am so happy to be able to come back knowing different places to explore and museums to go that would interest friends and family of mine. I am so fortunate to have been able to be apart of this class. I can't wait to take what I have learned and pass it along to other people who are unfamiliar with the boroughs like I was! Best class by far that I have ever taken at Molloy, and worth every penny! Just make sure to dress comfortably and definitely wear sneakers!
Hats off to you Mike and Don for a job well done! Thank you!
Let me just start by saying wow. I was so lucky to experience this class with such qualified professors who really knew their stuff. From the architecture to the art, to the museums, to the relaxation spots and places to eat, I feel overwhelmed with knowledge from this class. I admire the dedication that Mike and Don put forth into this class, and really want you both to know it does not go unnoticed! I have learned more about NYC from just these 7 classes alone, than I have in the past 23 years I have been living! Now that must say something!
I must say Coney Island was one of the classes I will never forget, as well as Lower Manhattan. I laughed a lot and made memories with friends that I will keep forever. This class was memorable and informative and delivered way more information than I had expected. I feel comfortable on a subway, now that is something I never thought I would be able to say! I learned way more about the history of New York than what I had expected entering the class. I am so happy to be able to come back knowing different places to explore and museums to go that would interest friends and family of mine. I am so fortunate to have been able to be apart of this class. I can't wait to take what I have learned and pass it along to other people who are unfamiliar with the boroughs like I was! Best class by far that I have ever taken at Molloy, and worth every penny! Just make sure to dress comfortably and definitely wear sneakers!
Hats off to you Mike and Don for a job well done! Thank you!