Impressions of NY
My first impression of NY would be right before I left when I was eight years old. I remember just running through the water in the fire hydrants. Playing in the parks and going to the public pools. My grandmother lived in Queens, so we would go there often and it was very clean and nice and at that time. I felt like she had a huge house. We lived in Brooklyn in a high rise. I do not remember the name. I remember Mr. Softee driving by and getting that tasty ice cream with sprinkles. I do not remember Coney Island or even the Bronx Zoo even though my family went.
As an adult I just moved back to NY four years ago. I also thought NY was the biggest fashion industry and Time Square was where it was at. I always heard of China Town and Penn Station. I just had this impression that NY was the best and only place to be. I was born in Manhattan and always dreamed of moving back and living there. To live in Manhattan I would have to sell a kidney. Now that I am back, I have not had the opportunity to really explore NY. I did go to the Bronx Zoo and visit Time Square. I have also been to the Museum of Natural History. NY does have amazing food and there is a lot to do. I do find that it is not the cleanest place. Lots of garbage and old buildings. The hospitals need to be upgraded. Growing up in Florida yes there is trash around, but I found NY to have far more and the air is not as clean. I found it weird to see the trash on the streets and the smell. I do think NY has a lot to offer but not sure if I will stay in the future. I want to get the most for my money in a home.
As an adult I just moved back to NY four years ago. I also thought NY was the biggest fashion industry and Time Square was where it was at. I always heard of China Town and Penn Station. I just had this impression that NY was the best and only place to be. I was born in Manhattan and always dreamed of moving back and living there. To live in Manhattan I would have to sell a kidney. Now that I am back, I have not had the opportunity to really explore NY. I did go to the Bronx Zoo and visit Time Square. I have also been to the Museum of Natural History. NY does have amazing food and there is a lot to do. I do find that it is not the cleanest place. Lots of garbage and old buildings. The hospitals need to be upgraded. Growing up in Florida yes there is trash around, but I found NY to have far more and the air is not as clean. I found it weird to see the trash on the streets and the smell. I do think NY has a lot to offer but not sure if I will stay in the future. I want to get the most for my money in a home.
Quixotic Queens
What a way to end a 7 day journey through out the city. I was so thrilled to be able to go into the New York Library. This is where Sex in the City the movie was filmed. I felt like I was stepping on the scene of the movie. Too bad we were not actually experiencing that awesomeness from the movie. This historic stands on 5th Avenue. It is officially the Humanities and Social Sciences Library of the New York Public Library and it is also one of the major research facilities(BG207).. The building has amazing architecture inside. Just the entrance inside is made with Vermont marble with vaulted ceiling (BG,208). My haiku:
Mike Drives Us SO Cray
Puts us in a super daze
Isnt he a maze
We left the library and went to Bryant Park it was so nice to see everyone just relaxing. This park is located directly behind the library. We stopped and just relax and reflect on the past classes. This park was named after William Cullen Bryant he was an editor, writer, abolitionist, and proponent of such projects as Central Park and the MOMA(BG, 209). As we continued on our journey we traveled to Grand Central Terminal Looks nothing like Penn Station. It has some beautiful architecture inside. Nice restaurants to eat as you wait to go catch your destination. When We went they were celebrating their 100 year anniversary. This station covers three city blocks (BG, 229). They wanted to create a 54 story tower over the station but the supreme court rejected there request. The supreme court want to preserve the architecture and history value what the building means (BG, 229). We then continued to walk to catch the Roosevelt Island Tram. It felt like a fairy tale being able to get on the tram and go over the water. It was kinda scary at first because who knows what could happen. Once we were in motion I was so happy! This tram was opened in May 1976 as a temporary passage for people to use while they were building subways to get on and off the Island (http://rioc.ny.gov/pdf/Tram_backgrounder11.24.10.pdf) . It became so popular that they kept it and it serves two million passengers a year. Once we made it over onto the other side we were able to walk along the water see a very old nursing home/ hospital. Which I would never bring my family too. It just looked so run down and yucky. We also saw one of the first nursing schools that is currently abandoned and you can not even go in to look around. As we passed that we stopped to relax at Four Freedoms Park. Not really impressed by that except it had a nice view of the water and the city. I did learn is that this park represents the the Freedom of Speech, from Want, Worship and from Fear(http://www.fdrfourfreedomspark.org/pages/key-facts-park). We then made our way on the subway to Jacksons Diner. That is where I tried Indian food for the first time. It tasted pretty good the little I did try.
Mike Drives Us SO Cray
Puts us in a super daze
Isnt he a maze
We left the library and went to Bryant Park it was so nice to see everyone just relaxing. This park is located directly behind the library. We stopped and just relax and reflect on the past classes. This park was named after William Cullen Bryant he was an editor, writer, abolitionist, and proponent of such projects as Central Park and the MOMA(BG, 209). As we continued on our journey we traveled to Grand Central Terminal Looks nothing like Penn Station. It has some beautiful architecture inside. Nice restaurants to eat as you wait to go catch your destination. When We went they were celebrating their 100 year anniversary. This station covers three city blocks (BG, 229). They wanted to create a 54 story tower over the station but the supreme court rejected there request. The supreme court want to preserve the architecture and history value what the building means (BG, 229). We then continued to walk to catch the Roosevelt Island Tram. It felt like a fairy tale being able to get on the tram and go over the water. It was kinda scary at first because who knows what could happen. Once we were in motion I was so happy! This tram was opened in May 1976 as a temporary passage for people to use while they were building subways to get on and off the Island (http://rioc.ny.gov/pdf/Tram_backgrounder11.24.10.pdf) . It became so popular that they kept it and it serves two million passengers a year. Once we made it over onto the other side we were able to walk along the water see a very old nursing home/ hospital. Which I would never bring my family too. It just looked so run down and yucky. We also saw one of the first nursing schools that is currently abandoned and you can not even go in to look around. As we passed that we stopped to relax at Four Freedoms Park. Not really impressed by that except it had a nice view of the water and the city. I did learn is that this park represents the the Freedom of Speech, from Want, Worship and from Fear(http://www.fdrfourfreedomspark.org/pages/key-facts-park). We then made our way on the subway to Jacksons Diner. That is where I tried Indian food for the first time. It tasted pretty good the little I did try.
We then traveled to the Museum of Moving Images. This was my favorite museum yet. I love film and actresses and actor and video games. It was so nice to be able to record my own script with Nicole. I thought I was famous for a moment. Then I was able to play with the old school Nintendo and Atari. Wow what memories this place brought back. I also saw how make-up was done for movies and different outfits for different television shows. Who would have thought they would build something like this in Astoria Queens and not Hollywood. This exhibit is one of the core attractions in Queens and for behind the screen (BG, 499). We then traveled to look at the MOMA P.S.1 thanks to Nicole I was able to see my favorite exhibit of pregnant women. It even shown transgender equipment and had a pond with a pleasuring toy. This MOMA P.S1 was an old school that they kept intact and created and different artist could come and showcase their work. MoMA PS1 is one of the oldest and largest nonprofit contemporary art institutions in the United States. An exhibition space rather than a collecting institution, MoMA PS1 devotes its energy and resources to displaying the most experimental art in the world (.http://momaps1.org/about/).
Five Points was a nice place to watch people make graffiti come alive. We were able to see two guys in action on our journey. I know not to come down here alone at night it would not be a good idea per the professor. This was an old factory and the landlords allow these artist to show off their work and talent to the world. We eventually ended in Gantry Plaza State Park and just took in the water and sat underneath the Pepsi Cola Sign. We eventually made it back to the subway but myself two people left unnamed, Colleen and Nicole and Jazz lived it up with some drinks to end the night.
Bodacious Brooklyn
All I can say is AMAZING!!!!!!! I was so thrilled to have joined this class. If day number one was filled with so much excitement, I can not wait till day number two. I have not lived in NY for so many years and now to be back and have a tour guided adventure I was super stoked. We started off the day by jumping on the LIRR to PENN Station to meet the group... Then we took the D train to Coney Island. There were lots of people standing in line for the famous Nathan's hotdog that was founded in 1916 (BG, p. 492). I always pictured Coney Island as an amusement park not also having a beach to enjoy. I was able to get on the Cyclone... I have uploaded the video for you to watch. I LOVED it!!!!!! Coney Island still has three classic rides operating parachute jump, Cyclone roller coaster and the Wonder Wheel (BG, 492). Coney Island is a second not for porfit organization, strives to "defend the honor of American popular art forms" through programs and exhibitions that include Sideshows by the Seashore and the Mermaid Parade (BG, 492). Below you will find photographs from Coney Island and two student's and I riding the Cyclone.
We then ended the adventure at Coney Island and headed back on the subway to go to the Transit Museum. I was amazed at how we had men going below water to create the best subway system today. There are thousands of New Yorker's that travel daily on the subway. This musem was made out of a non functioning subway station which I though was cool. The area where the old trains were located is a live train line. So we had to be very careful not to fall in or drop anything. The first train line was started in 1094 (BG, 468). This exhibit also showed us old ticket booths and even what old school turnstile ticket collector looked like up to current. This Transit Museum is located in the Court St station. I could not believe the story the tour guide told us about the horse that had carriages and how much poop was being dropped in the city. We would have drowned in it if they did not create this amazing system. New York would not have been the amazing place it is today.
We then took a tour through a bank to look at how buildings were built back in the day. We ventured through Brooklyn Heights which I found to be absolutely beautiful. I was able to see Gothic, Italian and even Greek style buildings and homes. I did not know about the Battle of Brooklyn. We lost 1,200 American in this fight and an additional 1,500 wounded and captured (BG, p. 467). We made a stop before the bridge in DUMBO and what was cool was the locks that people left on the fence. The locks represented love that a couple will have for eternity. I also learned that Brooklyn was stand alone until the Brooklyn Bridge was made. . It is amazing and kind of weird for me to even think the Brooklyn Bridge opened in 1883 (BG, p 464). I feel like those years never happened. It was cool to find out the first person to walk the bridge should have been the president but a woman did. It was interesting to know that a couple created such a nice bridge. This bridge is still really important to N.Y. It carries about 145,000 cars daily along with pedestrians. I never thought I would walk the Brooklyn Bridge and I finally did. How many New Yorker's have actually taken the time to do that. What a sight to see. I was able to see ferry's go by and the new Freedom Tower being built. It was nice to see so many people using the bridge just to walk and exercise. There were even people on the bridge to go to and from work.
My day ended at the South Shore Seaport where I enjoyed some icecream and a glass of wine. Then we walked back in the rain to subway to get to Penn Station. This is who I found on they way to going home. Homeless people find any where to sleep until the cops arrive..... Stay tuned for my next adventure....
A Tale of Three Villages
The Villages. I actually was super excited to go to the villages. Honestly, I was not impressed at all. I was actually disappointed. I had fun but I did not feel like I learned much. I was actually bored with the house and what Bill was saying. Maybe it was just the weather. I went there before but it was at night with a cousin of mine. We went to a few bars and a fabulous cuban restaurant called Havana Alma De Cuba. It was nice to see the different brownstones in the neighborhood. I love them. Wish I could own one in the city but maybe when I hit the lotto. I have to say that it was known where the gay people were hanging out. There beautiful flags were flying high in the sky. I love that part. This area you can even buy some risky attire for night time pleasures. Christophers Street I think that is a spot I would hang out all the time.
I had no idea that New York University was in Greenwich Village. I could not believe how big the univserity was and how much space it occupied. I had always dreamed of going there but the amount of money you have to pay I guess I happy with Molloy's big bill. There were so many different types of cultures walking out of the school. I also had no idea that this university has been around since 1831 (BG, p134). What a great place for college student's to live. They could go out with an awesome night life in the area.
We even passed The Cafe Wha. This cafe goes back to 1960's. Some symbolic icons played at this location. Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan and Janis Joplin just to name a few (BG, p137). I am surprised that is still open. Below you can watch some history about Cafe Wha? with lead singer David Lee Roth from Van Halen. This was from 2012.
We even passed The Cafe Wha. This cafe goes back to 1960's. Some symbolic icons played at this location. Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan and Janis Joplin just to name a few (BG, p137). I am surprised that is still open. Below you can watch some history about Cafe Wha? with lead singer David Lee Roth from Van Halen. This was from 2012.
Then we had a stop at the Merchant's House Museum. This house was built in 1832. This house was owned by the Tredwell's family (BG, p158). I was actually surprised that the furniture was from when they originally purchased it. From the outside it looked as though it was a small home. When I actually stepped foot inside the house was humongous. It was interesting to know they ate in the family room downstairs. They only used the nice floor to eat with guest on the first floor. I also thought it was so impersonal for visitors to come over. Who would want to owe a visit to a friend if they came to your house. What if they were not nice to you. I guess that is how things operated then. The servant screened visitors as well and they had the opportunity to send people packing if the owner did not want to see anyone. I found that amusing. It was cool to see they had a call system in the house so if you wanted something you just had to ring and the servant knew to answer. I am so glad I live in this era because who wants to drag coal up from the basement to each room in the house to keep warm. I guess I would freeze. This house was kept in a Greek Revival style, the ground floor had a cast-iron stove (BG, p 158). This house remained in the family and the last family member died in 1933. They turned it into a museum three years later (BG, p158).
This a Community Garden that is kept up by Squatter's and community people. This area was once a building believe it or not. This building that was just rubbish in the middle of the town was turned into the garden by people pounding on the destroyed building's pieces to get rid of it and create gardens for people to sit and relax. Even the people can grow their own crops. Have barbecues and hold speeches if wanted.
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We visited The Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space. I never heard of a Squat until this class. Things like this do not happen in Florida. I found I want to not pay rent. I think I am not going to finish school and become a squatter. Just kidding. If you watch the video above you will learn that it is more than just occupying and abandon building. They are a community that are activist as well for various causes that benefit the community. They do not gentrification in the community. They do not want the increase in higher rents. They want to keep the locals in business instead of Starbucks and chain businesses. Bill was our tour guide with so much information I could not even keep up with him. I lost him at hello. He walked us around different community gardens and told us history about Tompkins Square PArk. How there was a battle that happened. Different music performances were done at that park as well. This movement was started in the 1980's. The activist helped increase the amount of bike lanes that they have today and promote bicyclist friendly area.
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East of the Park
Loved east of the park. We stopped at the Museum of City of New York. This gallery was on top of Greenwood Cemetery. I found that to be a little creepy. They had little houses displayed which I loved. The little dollhouses were well put together and we were able to see a film of how New York became what it is today. The dollhouses were created by Carrie Walter Stettheimer. She created the dollhouses with decorations for the 1920's. The film showed a complex history from its early days as a Dutch colony to its present state (BG,376). This museum was founded in 1923 (BG, 376). We also went into a area that showed us what apartments look like today. They were small but still had enough space for you to have company.
All I have to say is it was really nice being in East Harlem also known as SPANISH HARLEM. I was able to learn about my Puerto Rican heritage. It was so nice to see all the murals that were painted. He told us about the garden which a mural of Frida Kahlo was on display. There was also like a fountain in the middle and he asked what it represented. It was a uterus. In this beautiful community they have a place called El Barrio. A community center that showcases the culture of the latin community (BG,376). It was founded in 1969 by community activits, teachers and artists (BG, 376). Luke stopped a person walking the streets to see what they felt about the community. He said "that the community has changed since they were starting gentrification in the area". He also explained "that they used to play dominoes outside and have some drinks and you can not do that any more". He said "most people are on the go now a days". Luke even did a poem for us which you can watch below about a woman on the D train. He took us to see the graffiti wall that is located in a school yard and every year they have graffiti artist come put their new tag up. When we finally stopped to eat. We ate at an awesome Puerto Rican place. I was able to get two glasses of coconut juice and rice and beans and empanada and my favorite tostones for seven dollars. I stuffed myself that when we took the walk in Central park I had to make a stop evacuate some of the food.
Then we ventured into walking all 51 blocks of Central Park. I would have enjoyed it more if the sun was out. It was rainy and gloomy so you could not really admire the beauty of the park. Central Park is the heartland of Manhattan (BG, 279). This natural looking park does have pieces of unencrusted with asphalt and masonry, its landscape and scenery are completely man-made, based on designs by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux (BG,279). We then ventured to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Which we were only allotted 15 minutes to look around so we went into the PUNK :chaos to Couture room. I thought that exhibit was amazing. Just to see all the freedom the artist took into the clothing and a do not care of attitude. Some of the pieces I would actually wear. No flash photography so I can not show you my favorite design. But it was a long dress made out of black trash bags and it had nice coat to go with it. I looked at some sculptures. I liked looking at the Cupid and Psyche by Auguste Rodin. He also created the MArtyr and the Thinker. We traveled into the strawberry fields were we were able to meet a man that talk about the history of John Lennon and his apartment in the city. The strawberry fields opened in 1985 (BG, 292). 150 nations sent plants to what we call today the peace garden (BG,292) His legend that lives on. We were able to see a little mural with the words imagine on it. Every day this man came and told stories about this great artist and placed flower on the imagine sign. He was a very hippy kind of guy and did know his stuff. The Dakota building is best known as the home of former Beatle John Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono, starting in 1973, and as the location of Lennon's assassination in 1980. As of 2007, Ono still has an apartment in the building. The Strawberry Fields memorial was laid out in memory of Lennon in Central Park directly across Central Park West. Every year, Ono marks the anniversary of Lennon's death with a now-public pilgrimage to the memorial. However, the Dakota has throughout its history housed a veritable who's who of the great and famous particularly in the arts and business, including Andrew Carnegie (http://www.nyc-architecture.com/UWS/UWS017.htm)