Wild Westside
First stop Time Squares...... I love every time I come to Time Square. It makes me feel like it has been the first time every time I go. Every time I do go I find something else I have not seen or done. I wonder how long it would take to actually experience this great place. Before 1904 Time Square was filled with horses, carriage factories, stables, and blacksmiths' shops (BG,217). Time Square is big for New Year's Eve. They have been cathering at this location since 1904 (BG,221). They use to have fireworks for the celebration but eventually the cops shut that down (BG,221) They used a wooden and iron ball to drop every year except in 1942-43, when they used church bells and a moment of silence for the wartime "dim out" (BG, 221). I have never been in side the G.E Building. It was interesting to see that is was all black inside and the art work that was on the ceiling. The mural you see is by Catalan artist Jose Maria Sert (BG248). His piece is entitled Triumph of Man's Accomplishments Through Physical and Mental Labor, now call American Progress (BG, 248-249). It was like another world you would go inside for shopping and food in the basement. I would have never gone inside this place. Then you could go out the back to go to Rockefeller Center. For the first time last year, I went to Rockefeller Center to see the tree in person. It was so beautiful to see all the lights. It is a totally different experience than driving by it. Rockefeller Center is named after John Rockefeller the owner (BG, 243). He leased different spaces to different store owners. The Metropolitan Opera was supposed to have a home their but they never went though with it (BG, 243). Left Rockefeller with a 3.8 million dollar debt when it only brought in only 300,000 dollars (BG 243). Rockefeller eventually bought land from Columbia University for $400 million dollars in 1985 and expanded his area (BG, 244). That purchase was one of the most expensive at that time.
The Museum of Modern ARt was nice to see. In 1929, modern art was not considered art (BG, 260). Two friends opened a small museum to showcase this new type of art. Lillian Bliss and Mary Sullivan were committed friends and were able to be happy to have 47,000 visitors (BG, 260). The MOMA started in the Crown Building and eventually moved to the current location(BG, 260). Most people come visit the museum for the 19th-20th century painting and sculpture these floors showcased the most wonderful paintings and sculptures in the world today (BG261). I have never been there and will plan on going back so I can look at more of the rooms available to me. I was able to see a real painting of Frida Kahlo. She is a big part of latin history today. She was was famous for her self portraits. She painted 143 paintings and 55 of them were portraits of herself. She painted the self portraits of herself so she had a sense of who she was. I was amazed at seeing The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh. This painting was made in 1889. It depicts the view outside of his sanitarium room window. It is sad such a great artist killed himself. I looked at a oil canvas by Giacomo Balla. I loved the colors and just the shapely design. She was one of the founding members of futurism. This painting was depicting movement and speed. Claes Oldenburg was a main feature when we walked were about to walk into one of the art rooms. He took every day food and created art. He had a big ice cream cone, hamburgers and more food. He also had a picture of himself in the street which i enjoyed looking at.
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Lower Manhattan and Captivating Chelsea
Going to the chapel and were going to get married! New York City Hall was some place I would have not thought to stop and look at. I was actually happy we did. I was impressed by the design inside it was absolutely beautiful. City Hall was built in 102-1811( BG, 11). The architecture was done by a Frenchman named Joseph Francois Mangin and was created in the Louis XV style(BG, 11). Inside you can see a beautiful rotunda. I felt like grabbing a guy and saying I do when I walked in. The inside looked so heavenly. It had beautiful marble and brownstone finish. I loved the light that illuminated from the ceiling and the columns that were surrounded the second floor. We were able to go into the Governor's room. I was so excited to see the portraits of late presidents. I even was able to see George Washington's table he used to write on. How many people can say they were able to see history in person not too many. It looked as though it was just made so beautiful. John Trumbull painted the portraits in City Hall. John Trumbull was George Washingtons aide-de-camp and achieved rank of colonel (BG, 85). He was an American painter for the American Revolution.
We then wondered to the Federal Hall Building where George Washington was sworn in as president. On the outside of the building there stands a statue of the President George Washington. Inside I was able to see the Bill of Rights in a nice capsule in the wall. The exterior of the building shows one of the finest Greek Revival temple architecture in the nation (BG, 69). The interior has a vaulted ceiling with a rotunda with Corinthian columns that supports the dome (BG, 69). This building houses old coin vaults dating back to 1878 (BG, 69). We walked by the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). This building is no longer open to the public due to the attacks on World Trade Center (BG, 68). The NYSE is one of the largest exchange in terms of dollar value, is one reason why New York is a preeminent city of the capitalist world (BG, 68).
We then wondered to the Federal Hall Building where George Washington was sworn in as president. On the outside of the building there stands a statue of the President George Washington. Inside I was able to see the Bill of Rights in a nice capsule in the wall. The exterior of the building shows one of the finest Greek Revival temple architecture in the nation (BG, 69). The interior has a vaulted ceiling with a rotunda with Corinthian columns that supports the dome (BG, 69). This building houses old coin vaults dating back to 1878 (BG, 69). We walked by the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). This building is no longer open to the public due to the attacks on World Trade Center (BG, 68). The NYSE is one of the largest exchange in terms of dollar value, is one reason why New York is a preeminent city of the capitalist world (BG, 68).
My favorite part of the day was going to see the 9/11 Memorial. This memorial was the most touching I have ever experienced. We first went into a church and looked at badges of different responders piled in one pile. There were pictures of the World Trade Center being attacked. There was a plaque that said minute by minute what happened. This memorial is the best thing to take students too. This brought me back to what I was doing the day it happened. It brought back feelings on how I felt when my family was wondering if my uncle got out and could not speak to him for days. We then toured the site were The Freedom Tower's are being built. As I walked around you can read thousands of names of people that were either in the planes or in the towers or even responding to the call that did not make it out alive. It was very sad to see that. There was even a Survivor Tree that was left untouched from the horrific event. The tree made it out alive.
We then traveled to Chelsea Market. In 1995 the former Nabisco factory reopened as the Chelsea Market(BG,186). I met the owner of the Gelato shop. It was really hard to talk cause she spoke Italian but we made it work. I did not eat that day cause I just did not like anything. If you are into seafood or want to shop for organic food this is the place to go. Chelsea is the meat packing district. It runs from about Gansevoort St to West 15th St along the Hudson River (BG, 184). We left there and went to the Highline. Built in the mid-19th century, the New York Central Railroad used to run at street level. Since streets were so clogged and dangerous a 13 mile viaduct was built for freight trains in the air(BG, 188). The Highline is now an abandon railroad track that people can walk around and relax enjoy the sun. You can even look at the Standard Hotel that people enjoy having sex in the window for fun. In the 1970's and 1980's Chelsea was known more for prostitution. We could even sit in a bleacher style location over the road to look at different cars going by. The Chelsea area has tons of art galleries that people can enjoy and tons of interns that work for them.
We then walked to 10 different galleries in the area. One that we walked into was by Bryce Wolkowitz. He presented the Winkles of the City. I loved this gallery. It was nice to see how beautiful can still be with wrinkles on their face. He even had a picture of a couple that was in love and wrinkly. Now a days marriages do not last anymore. His work evokes the histories of urban environments. Another gallery i thought was interesting was the Gagosian Gallery. I went into a room that the art I was starring at was like blown up balloon animals. The artist is Jeff Koons. Koons continues to draw a common thread through cultural history. He has taken his work to a baroque creation.
We then walked to 10 different galleries in the area. One that we walked into was by Bryce Wolkowitz. He presented the Winkles of the City. I loved this gallery. It was nice to see how beautiful can still be with wrinkles on their face. He even had a picture of a couple that was in love and wrinkly. Now a days marriages do not last anymore. His work evokes the histories of urban environments. Another gallery i thought was interesting was the Gagosian Gallery. I went into a room that the art I was starring at was like blown up balloon animals. The artist is Jeff Koons. Koons continues to draw a common thread through cultural history. He has taken his work to a baroque creation.
Immigrant NY
We started our day at the Essex Street Market. This market was built in 1940 to house pushcart peddlers whom Mayor Fiorello La Guardia legislated off the streets (BG,123). This market offers food for all tastes. They range from Latino, Jewish and upscale urbanite (BG, 123). When we went in the market it was nice to see all the fresh and organic food you could buy. There were a couple of stores that looked like an open supermarket. In a way this market was like a flea market but for food.
We did go by the Tenement Museum but did not get to go inside. The Tenement area was interesting to learn about. Our tour guide explained how there was so much garbage in the streets and how our drinking water. The Tenement Act in 1879 did provide some improvements for the people. They had to have running water in the yard or the house and one toilet for every two apartments (BG, 122). This will allow for people to have some more privacy instead of having to walk down flights of stairs to get drinking water or to use the bathroom. I thought we were visiting China Town and Little Italy but we did not get to experience that at all. We did pass by the Economy Candy Store. It brought back memories of all the candies I use to eat as a kid. We went by the University Settlement House. This university was created by three men to help out immigrants that came to America. They came to University Settlement so they can seek advice, assistance and even education.
We then stopped to eat lunch. While the others had Asian food. I joined some of the other girls to have some Italian food. I had a pepperoni roll. Then we finally walked the Williamsburg Bridge and thanks to Nicole's husband I was able to ride a bike across the bridge my legs were burning. Then I turned around and walked the bridge with my classmates. I saw lots of graffiti on the bridge and you can see the beautiful water below. At the end of the bridge we walked over to the Brooklyn Art Library. It was nice to go into the store. Different people did different sketches and placed in these tiny books. Every time someone takes a book from the shelf then they have to notify the author. I actually found that interesting. Jazz and Colleen ended the day in a Brooklyn Wine bar. We tried the Flight. It was three glasses of wine that we could taste.
We did go by the Tenement Museum but did not get to go inside. The Tenement area was interesting to learn about. Our tour guide explained how there was so much garbage in the streets and how our drinking water. The Tenement Act in 1879 did provide some improvements for the people. They had to have running water in the yard or the house and one toilet for every two apartments (BG, 122). This will allow for people to have some more privacy instead of having to walk down flights of stairs to get drinking water or to use the bathroom. I thought we were visiting China Town and Little Italy but we did not get to experience that at all. We did pass by the Economy Candy Store. It brought back memories of all the candies I use to eat as a kid. We went by the University Settlement House. This university was created by three men to help out immigrants that came to America. They came to University Settlement so they can seek advice, assistance and even education.
We then stopped to eat lunch. While the others had Asian food. I joined some of the other girls to have some Italian food. I had a pepperoni roll. Then we finally walked the Williamsburg Bridge and thanks to Nicole's husband I was able to ride a bike across the bridge my legs were burning. Then I turned around and walked the bridge with my classmates. I saw lots of graffiti on the bridge and you can see the beautiful water below. At the end of the bridge we walked over to the Brooklyn Art Library. It was nice to go into the store. Different people did different sketches and placed in these tiny books. Every time someone takes a book from the shelf then they have to notify the author. I actually found that interesting. Jazz and Colleen ended the day in a Brooklyn Wine bar. We tried the Flight. It was three glasses of wine that we could taste.
Final Impression of NY
My final impression of NY. I would have to say that I would have not experienced majority of this without this class. This was an amazing opportunity for me to get to see so many amazing streets and fabulous bridges. I can not believe that I rode a bicycle on the bridge and actually walked it. I actually tasted Indian food I was pretty impressed. I had to think out the box to eat it. I still think there are parts of NY that are still dirty compared to Florida. I am so excited to eventually go back to the museums to be able to soak in more of the experience. I never thought I would walk all over the place. I loved the NY library. I felt like I was in the movie Sex and the City. NY has so much to offer tourist and residents. It will take a long time to get to see and do everything in NY. This is the city that never sleeps. It is crazy how people that live here do not take advantage of all this place has to offer. I never really pictured Time Square as a once sex area. I had no clue who Robert Moses was and how he impacted NY. Loved having so many different places to eat and drink in the neighborhoods. I can not wait to show off my tour guiding skills when my best friend comes. I was so touched by the 9/11 exhibit. That was such a moving site to see and be apart of. I absolutely loved being able to go to Coney Island and see that it is not just a park it also has a beach to offer. There are so many different styles of buildings that you would not see in other states. There is so much history with each city and learning about our amazing transportation system. I loved to see so many different types of cultures all over NY. Thank you for the experience and can not wait to explore more on my own.