Journal 1
Impressions of New York
"If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere!" To me, New York City is one of the greatest, if not the greatest city in the world. It is truly the melting pot of New York. It is where people from all different walks of life come to experience unforgettable traffic jams, road rage, the New York accent, bagels, dirty water dogs, halal carts, and impatient cussing New Yorkers. It is the home of not only me, but the New York Yankees, New York Mets, New York Giants, New York Jets, The Rangers, The Islanders, and the good old New York Knicks! Home of the greatest teams in the nation! There is never a dull moment. In times of crises New Yorkers band together like a family to support one another.
There are stigmas for the typical New Yorker which may hold some truth. I believe New Yorker's and the city have a bad rep. New Yorker's are not as rude and cruel as travelers may insinuate. The city is always congested, which says it all. New York City is fabulous!
Many people want to come to New York City and I can't blame them! I believe there is a huge misconception though. Many people think New York City is all glory, especially those who have never been. To survive in the city you must be able to keep up with the hustle and bustle. Living in New York City is not all fun and games and you must be able to work hard and keep up with the pace. It is an expensive city where adolescents to middle age adults enjoy going on for multiple occasions To New Yorker's we go into the city and often forget the simple pleasures it has to offer to us. As residents of New York we often overlook the skyscrapers, monuments, history, and culture. Many people come to New York to get a glimpse of the "American dream". Throughout this class I hope I am able to experience the feelings that many tourist acquire during their visit to New York.
"If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere!" To me, New York City is one of the greatest, if not the greatest city in the world. It is truly the melting pot of New York. It is where people from all different walks of life come to experience unforgettable traffic jams, road rage, the New York accent, bagels, dirty water dogs, halal carts, and impatient cussing New Yorkers. It is the home of not only me, but the New York Yankees, New York Mets, New York Giants, New York Jets, The Rangers, The Islanders, and the good old New York Knicks! Home of the greatest teams in the nation! There is never a dull moment. In times of crises New Yorkers band together like a family to support one another.
There are stigmas for the typical New Yorker which may hold some truth. I believe New Yorker's and the city have a bad rep. New Yorker's are not as rude and cruel as travelers may insinuate. The city is always congested, which says it all. New York City is fabulous!
Many people want to come to New York City and I can't blame them! I believe there is a huge misconception though. Many people think New York City is all glory, especially those who have never been. To survive in the city you must be able to keep up with the hustle and bustle. Living in New York City is not all fun and games and you must be able to work hard and keep up with the pace. It is an expensive city where adolescents to middle age adults enjoy going on for multiple occasions To New Yorker's we go into the city and often forget the simple pleasures it has to offer to us. As residents of New York we often overlook the skyscrapers, monuments, history, and culture. Many people come to New York to get a glimpse of the "American dream". Throughout this class I hope I am able to experience the feelings that many tourist acquire during their visit to New York.
Bodacious Brooklyn
Brooklyn is bodacious indeed! When I used to hear someone mention Brooklyn the first thing that would pop into my mind was Notorious B.I.G! (Which is totally not a bad thing), but now I will always recall my own personal experiences from there. I can officially say I have been to Coney Island and.. survived The Cyclone in Luna Park! What a thrill! The other parts of Brooklyn I have ventured to does not nearly top the excitement at Coney Island. There were various types of people enjoying the pre-summer weather at the beach or getting an adrenaline rush while at the amusement park. The only downside with the experience was we only had an hour to explore the famous Coney Island, bummer!
The next destination was to the Transit Museum and I was not excited, at least until we got there! I assumed the museum would be dull and boring but it was the complete opposite! The museum was intriguing and the tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable. With all the technology that we have today it seems that we can make and create anything our imagination drifts off to. I always forget to remember that subways have been around since 1860's an none of the technology that we have today existed then! The most exciting part of the museum was going to the lower level and going into all the old train cars. It was almost like taking a ride through the decades. After the museum we headed towards the Brooklyn bridge! According to the Blue Guide New York at the time the bridge opened in 1883 it was considered to the one of the greatest wonders of the world. Unfortunately that the bridge is overlooked because of the magnificent sites throughout the world. There was no other way to cross the East River prior to the Brooklyn Bridge. (Blue Guide, 464.) We walked across the bridge which was also a first! It was exciting to view the borough from a view that many of my peers had never done before! Despite the weather the walk was quite enjoyable. There were many padlocks displayed throughout certain areas of the bridge. We were informed it was because many couples come to the bridge and put their initials on the padlock and secure it to an area of the bridge symbolizing eternity. That was cute to learn about, but quite sappy, (so I was over that, quick!).
Lastly, the troopers that decided to stay ended up exploring South Street Seaport. It was definitely an experience. The last time I was at the Seaport was about 14 years ago so that definitely jogged back some memories off of memory lane. It was unfortunate that many of the establishments within the area were closed. Although the scenery of the ships in the water were still beautiful! Those ships are exhibition ships on Pier 16. (Blue Guide, 58).
Brooklyn is bodacious indeed! When I used to hear someone mention Brooklyn the first thing that would pop into my mind was Notorious B.I.G! (Which is totally not a bad thing), but now I will always recall my own personal experiences from there. I can officially say I have been to Coney Island and.. survived The Cyclone in Luna Park! What a thrill! The other parts of Brooklyn I have ventured to does not nearly top the excitement at Coney Island. There were various types of people enjoying the pre-summer weather at the beach or getting an adrenaline rush while at the amusement park. The only downside with the experience was we only had an hour to explore the famous Coney Island, bummer!
The next destination was to the Transit Museum and I was not excited, at least until we got there! I assumed the museum would be dull and boring but it was the complete opposite! The museum was intriguing and the tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable. With all the technology that we have today it seems that we can make and create anything our imagination drifts off to. I always forget to remember that subways have been around since 1860's an none of the technology that we have today existed then! The most exciting part of the museum was going to the lower level and going into all the old train cars. It was almost like taking a ride through the decades. After the museum we headed towards the Brooklyn bridge! According to the Blue Guide New York at the time the bridge opened in 1883 it was considered to the one of the greatest wonders of the world. Unfortunately that the bridge is overlooked because of the magnificent sites throughout the world. There was no other way to cross the East River prior to the Brooklyn Bridge. (Blue Guide, 464.) We walked across the bridge which was also a first! It was exciting to view the borough from a view that many of my peers had never done before! Despite the weather the walk was quite enjoyable. There were many padlocks displayed throughout certain areas of the bridge. We were informed it was because many couples come to the bridge and put their initials on the padlock and secure it to an area of the bridge symbolizing eternity. That was cute to learn about, but quite sappy, (so I was over that, quick!).
Lastly, the troopers that decided to stay ended up exploring South Street Seaport. It was definitely an experience. The last time I was at the Seaport was about 14 years ago so that definitely jogged back some memories off of memory lane. It was unfortunate that many of the establishments within the area were closed. Although the scenery of the ships in the water were still beautiful! Those ships are exhibition ships on Pier 16. (Blue Guide, 58).
A Tale of Three Villages
The first destination on our tale of three villages was Greenwich Village! This trip totally brought me back to my teenage youth! My friends and I used to come into the city when we were 15-16 years old and I would drag them to the village so I could get some piercings. What a thrill! I was very tempted to add to my collection! While on our troop we passed on a very nifty house address, 75 1/2 Bedford street which was home to a few famous people in their day. It it the narrowest house that is located within the village. (Blue Guide, 141).
The next site was the White Horse Tavern! This historical tavern is located on 567 Hudson Street West 11th. It was a place for many writers to come down and get loose. Although we did not go inside to scope the scenery or taste the alcohol I am confident in saying it is probably a fabulous place.
The next stop was the Stonewall Inn. The Stonewall Inn is particularly famous because of the Stonewall Riots. These riots between homosexuals and police force led the liberation of gay rights within the village. Therefore, this opened up the acceptance throughout the city and the country. (Blue Guide, 130). From what I gather this is quite the place to go out and have a hell of a time! I hope to experience a good night out with some of my friends who frequent many of these types of bars. I am sure that we will have a grand time!
The first destination on our tale of three villages was Greenwich Village! This trip totally brought me back to my teenage youth! My friends and I used to come into the city when we were 15-16 years old and I would drag them to the village so I could get some piercings. What a thrill! I was very tempted to add to my collection! While on our troop we passed on a very nifty house address, 75 1/2 Bedford street which was home to a few famous people in their day. It it the narrowest house that is located within the village. (Blue Guide, 141).
The next site was the White Horse Tavern! This historical tavern is located on 567 Hudson Street West 11th. It was a place for many writers to come down and get loose. Although we did not go inside to scope the scenery or taste the alcohol I am confident in saying it is probably a fabulous place.
The next stop was the Stonewall Inn. The Stonewall Inn is particularly famous because of the Stonewall Riots. These riots between homosexuals and police force led the liberation of gay rights within the village. Therefore, this opened up the acceptance throughout the city and the country. (Blue Guide, 130). From what I gather this is quite the place to go out and have a hell of a time! I hope to experience a good night out with some of my friends who frequent many of these types of bars. I am sure that we will have a grand time!
The next location was the "Heart of the Village". We started off in Washington Square Park. Quite the historical site! The entrance of the park is marked with an arch that was designed by Stanford White which originally made of wood and is now marble. I had know idea that Washington Square Park existed in New York until I took the quiz for class. I also had no idea that it a symbolic arch representing George Washington and his determination and bravery for the sake of the country.
Now we were off to the Merchant's House Museum! It is the only nineteenth century home in New York City that is kept impeccably intact from walls to floors, and family room to bedroom room with original furniture. The home is a Greek Revival style with contains breath-taking molding within the living room and are the base of the gas-powered chandeliers. I thought this house was gorgeous but I got the chills when the tour guide discussed the rodent problem within the kitchen. Super gross! I definitely wouldn't mind living here except for the fact that some of the family members died in their beds. That is creepy as well. I am happy I am also living now opposed to then. I didn't quite get the point of visiting a friend and stopping at her house for ten minutes then leaving then having her over to my house for ten minutes then leaving and vice versa over and over again times a thousand. I like to go out with my friends so we can laugh, drink and dance like we think we know how.
Now we were off to the Merchant's House Museum! It is the only nineteenth century home in New York City that is kept impeccably intact from walls to floors, and family room to bedroom room with original furniture. The home is a Greek Revival style with contains breath-taking molding within the living room and are the base of the gas-powered chandeliers. I thought this house was gorgeous but I got the chills when the tour guide discussed the rodent problem within the kitchen. Super gross! I definitely wouldn't mind living here except for the fact that some of the family members died in their beds. That is creepy as well. I am happy I am also living now opposed to then. I didn't quite get the point of visiting a friend and stopping at her house for ten minutes then leaving then having her over to my house for ten minutes then leaving and vice versa over and over again times a thousand. I like to go out with my friends so we can laugh, drink and dance like we think we know how.
Lastly, The Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space was our final stop for the day. Our tour was given to us by Bill 1 and Bill 2. It was a very detailed tour that consisted of an abundant amount of information. The gist of the goal of the museum is to get their voices heard so vacant spaces and lots can be transformed into community gardens. Bill 2 informed us that in public parks you cannot hold large and/or political meetings unlike you can in the community gardens. By preserving these areas history of communities and buildings can be maintained. I thought this museum was going to be about something a little different. Although, it was interesting at times.
East of the Park
I was hoping to run into Bill Clinton although that did not happen. Anyway, we took the subway so we could shuttle it to East Harlem. It was momentous! Our first stop was the Museum of the City of New York. The museum was very intriguing. The artifacts focused on various time periods throughout New York history from the civil rights movement, to homosexuality, to women's suffrage and so on and so forth. We saw a very interesting film in the theater timescapes located with museum. The film was a called a Portrait of New York and indeed it was!
I was hoping to run into Bill Clinton although that did not happen. Anyway, we took the subway so we could shuttle it to East Harlem. It was momentous! Our first stop was the Museum of the City of New York. The museum was very intriguing. The artifacts focused on various time periods throughout New York history from the civil rights movement, to homosexuality, to women's suffrage and so on and so forth. We saw a very interesting film in the theater timescapes located with museum. The film was a called a Portrait of New York and indeed it was!
After that we met an adorable gem who is a poet and an M.C. His name is Luke Nephew! He knew all about the history and culture of Spanish Harlem and things are evolving within the community. Luke was extremely inspiring because he is living his life solely on his beliefs and passions which is to benefit mankind. It is hard to find people nowadays who are as selfless and dedicated as he and the rest of the Peace Poets are.
Luke did a thing where he incorporated the people within the community and engaged them to educate us on their first hand experiences. It was quite fascinating! We met a gentleman named George who mentioned this term called gentrification (never heard it before!) The term gentrification means he buying and renovation of houses and stores in deteriorated urban neighborhoods by upper- or middle-income families or individuals, thus improving property values but often displacing low-income families and small businesses (dictionary.com).
Luke did a thing where he incorporated the people within the community and engaged them to educate us on their first hand experiences. It was quite fascinating! We met a gentleman named George who mentioned this term called gentrification (never heard it before!) The term gentrification means he buying and renovation of houses and stores in deteriorated urban neighborhoods by upper- or middle-income families or individuals, thus improving property values but often displacing low-income families and small businesses (dictionary.com).
Nextttttt........ we took a miniature stroll through Central Park. The experience was unlike others I have had in the past. There were countless scenic views throughout the entire park. It was romantic. Especially when the John Lennon fanatic kissed the back of one of the gals in the class. Terrific and creepy...yikes!
anddddd....the excitement didn't end there!....We then headed to The Metropolitan Museum of Art and saw Punk: Chaos to Couture. It was amazing (check out paper 1).