Journal 1
My impressions of New York are nothing but wonderful. The overly hot subway stations, crowed buses, stinky Chinatown summers and freezing cold winds off the east river, I love it all. I've lived almost all of my life in Brooklyn, some of it on Long Island and a good chunk in Harlem. I don't think I would ever leave it. When I travel, I am always grateful and PROUD to be a New Yorker.
New Yorkers sometimes get a bad name. Outsiders say we are rude, inconsiderate and self centered. I feel that is furtherest from the truth. I haven’t always knew where I was going on a bus or subway and I would ask a fellow New Yorker. Rarely would I get an attitude or just get ignored. With past experiences, I can say New Yorkers are the most honest and helpful people.
I am super excited to take this class as there are places I have never been and I will learn new facts about the city I love. This will make me a better tour guide when I have friends in town! I can’t wait to start!
New Yorkers sometimes get a bad name. Outsiders say we are rude, inconsiderate and self centered. I feel that is furtherest from the truth. I haven’t always knew where I was going on a bus or subway and I would ask a fellow New Yorker. Rarely would I get an attitude or just get ignored. With past experiences, I can say New Yorkers are the most honest and helpful people.
I am super excited to take this class as there are places I have never been and I will learn new facts about the city I love. This will make me a better tour guide when I have friends in town! I can’t wait to start!
BODACIOUS BROOKLYN
I was so excited knowing our first stop on out Brooklyn adventure was Coney Island. Then to find out we were heading to Brooklyn Heights was interesting as I don’t know very much about that are besides that it is quite affluent. On to Coney Island...I love Coney Island. Ever since I was a kid, going there with my parents in the summer was always a blast. It resonates nothing but good nostalgic memories in my head. First stop after our pow wow on the beach, Nathan’s. You can’t come to Coney Island without getting a frankfurter and their amazing fries. After we finished our dogs, we walked along the boardwalk. Here I spotted my first painted piano. I heard of these art installations on the news a few days ago, and now I got to see one in person. Very cool! Sing for Hope is the foundation that placed these pianos all over the 5 boroughs. I hope I get to see some more as the semester rolls on. I’m glad that there are people who care about the preservation and the up keep of the area. There are several non-profits, one being Coney Island History Project which offers photos, artifacts and exhibitions about the history of Coney Island. Another non-profit is Coney Island USA, according to the Blue Guide, it strives to “defend the honor of American popular art forms”. (BG, 492) There are many websites to help save and preserve Coney Island. After Coney Island we hopped the subway for about 30 minutes to Jay Street where we headed to The Transit Museum. I have never been there before and was pretty stoked to finally check it out. The guided tour was extremely interesting. How men built the subways is unreal. The danger that they faced for the amount of money they made was mind blowing. After the tour ended we got to check out the old turnstiles and vintage trains. The trains were incredible and the fact that they give you the option to sit on the old seats was fantastic. It was pretty cool to see how
the trains changed over the years and kept up with the times. I loved all the old ads in the trains too. Next up, Brooklyn Heights walking tour. First stop, Brooklyn Borough Hall, where we were taught the architectural style of the building, which was Greek Style. We then walked around Brooklyn Heights. The building and homes are exquisite. Brownstones, limestone homes on tree lined streets, one would not think they are in Brooklyn. Another great spot we visited was the Brooklyn Promenade before we headed to DUMBO. The view from the promenade is breathtaking. You see all three bridges, Manhattan, Governors Island and the Statue of Liberty.
After a brief stop in DUMBO we were off to walk the Brooklyn Bridge. Though it started raining, it didn’t matter, it was awesome! There were a ton of people walking home from work, tourist, cyclist and us. It seemed that most people were respectful of the “road” when walking and cycling. The Brooklyn Bridge is gorgeous and when it opened on May 25th, 1883, it was considered one of the world’s greatest wonders (BG, 464). And indeed, it is a wonder!
All and all this was a great day and I’m pretty excited to see what Manhattan has to bring me on Tuesday.
the trains changed over the years and kept up with the times. I loved all the old ads in the trains too. Next up, Brooklyn Heights walking tour. First stop, Brooklyn Borough Hall, where we were taught the architectural style of the building, which was Greek Style. We then walked around Brooklyn Heights. The building and homes are exquisite. Brownstones, limestone homes on tree lined streets, one would not think they are in Brooklyn. Another great spot we visited was the Brooklyn Promenade before we headed to DUMBO. The view from the promenade is breathtaking. You see all three bridges, Manhattan, Governors Island and the Statue of Liberty.
After a brief stop in DUMBO we were off to walk the Brooklyn Bridge. Though it started raining, it didn’t matter, it was awesome! There were a ton of people walking home from work, tourist, cyclist and us. It seemed that most people were respectful of the “road” when walking and cycling. The Brooklyn Bridge is gorgeous and when it opened on May 25th, 1883, it was considered one of the world’s greatest wonders (BG, 464). And indeed, it is a wonder!
All and all this was a great day and I’m pretty excited to see what Manhattan has to bring me on Tuesday.
A TALE OF THREE VILLAGES
Adventure number two. Today I met the class in Penn Station where we took the 1 train to Houston Street. This is where we started our day of fun, in the West Village. Our first big stop was the White Horse Tavern. Here is where all the local poets and writers had deep thoughts and drank always their sorrows. It is of course noted where Dylan Thomas drank 17 too many shot of whiskey and died a few days later at St. Vincent’s Hospital. 18 shots... talk about a hangover! Nevertheless, it was a bar that saw literary greatness. After our 4 block detour to see the White Horse tavern we headed on to Bedford St where we saw the cutest house ever, 75 1/2 Bedford St. This was Edna St. Vincent Millay’s home. She was a poet, playwright and actress (BG, 141). Fun fact that I learned from the Blue Guide, this is where St. Vincent’s Hospital got their name from. I did not know that.
Next stop in the West Village, The Stonewall Inn. This bar is much more than your average watering hole; this bar was the epitome of the Gay Rights movement in the late 60’s. Before 1969, Gay folks were not allowed to drink in bars or even go out to dance in public. But on the night of June 28th, 1969, everything changed. The police would regularly raid all “gay bars” but this night was different. During this raid at The Stonewall Inn, people were angry, very angry and it was their time to stand up for themselves. Patrons started fighting back and a riot ensued, this was known as The Stonewall Riots. The patrons and passers-by threw paving stones and bottles at police and attempted to firebomb the bar when the outnumbered police barricaded themselves inside. (BG 130) The day after the riot, more riots continued, protestors marched and filled the streets with anger, love and determination. June 28th will always be remembered for the LGBTQ community standing up for their human rights. The right to love, the right to choose and the right to be proud!
Every year NYC Pride ends around The Stonewall Inn and you can feel the dignity, the satisfaction and the over all feeling of joy. I’ve had the honor of walking in NYC’s Pride Parade a few times and the overwhelming love and pride that you feel is outstanding.
The next site we got to walk through was Washington Square Park. It was glorious out and a perfect day to be walking through the park. From there we headed to the Merchant’s House Museum before the rain started. The Merchant’s House Museum is in the East Village on East 4th Street between Lafayette Street and Bowery. This was the home of The Tredwell Family. They collectively lived in this home for almost 100 years. This home was amazing and it was very interesting to see how people in the 1800’s and early 1900’s lived. All the original furniture was still there including a Federal style sofa with hand-carved eagles and gondola chairs covered with black horsehair. (BG 158) Also, to learn about the women and how they had to “call” for other women. To hear about the visitation process of friends is mind blowing.
After the museum we got some lunch then on to The Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space. The museum is in Alphabet City. This tour was given by Bill 1 and Bill 2, as some of us called them. The beginning of the tour was given by Bill 1. He explained that the building where the Museum HQ is, is a c-squat. It is one of the last few remaining squats in NYC. After he explained to us about squats in NYC, we headed over to a local community gardens to check it out. The first garden, The 9th Street Community Garden had a tree from 1977 (I think), this tree was dedicated to the man who started up this garden. I think these gardens are so amazing to have in the middle of the concrete jungle. When Bill 2 spoke about how there used to be a house standing where this lovely garden now is. When the house was demolished, the community came together to make a garden, which was just beautiful. After we walked over to the La Plaza Cultural garden where we found out that not only is a place to plant fruit and vegetables but political conversations can take place there. Bill 2 then headed over to Tompkins Square Park where he spoke in great lengths about the history of the park and the surround areas. Though it was extensive, it was interesting. By that time I was losing interested as we had been standing for hours and I was not in a million years about to sit on the floor in Tompkins Square Park, I used to hang out there in the 90’s and I know what it was like. Just in the past 20 years there has been quite a change in this area. Gentrification is key in this area. NYU is a big influence on the Lower East Side along with local city government taking charge. Though the area has become more “safe and pretty” over the years, I miss the old New York.
Every year NYC Pride ends around The Stonewall Inn and you can feel the dignity, the satisfaction and the over all feeling of joy. I’ve had the honor of walking in NYC’s Pride Parade a few times and the overwhelming love and pride that you feel is outstanding.
The next site we got to walk through was Washington Square Park. It was glorious out and a perfect day to be walking through the park. From there we headed to the Merchant’s House Museum before the rain started. The Merchant’s House Museum is in the East Village on East 4th Street between Lafayette Street and Bowery. This was the home of The Tredwell Family. They collectively lived in this home for almost 100 years. This home was amazing and it was very interesting to see how people in the 1800’s and early 1900’s lived. All the original furniture was still there including a Federal style sofa with hand-carved eagles and gondola chairs covered with black horsehair. (BG 158) Also, to learn about the women and how they had to “call” for other women. To hear about the visitation process of friends is mind blowing.
After the museum we got some lunch then on to The Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space. The museum is in Alphabet City. This tour was given by Bill 1 and Bill 2, as some of us called them. The beginning of the tour was given by Bill 1. He explained that the building where the Museum HQ is, is a c-squat. It is one of the last few remaining squats in NYC. After he explained to us about squats in NYC, we headed over to a local community gardens to check it out. The first garden, The 9th Street Community Garden had a tree from 1977 (I think), this tree was dedicated to the man who started up this garden. I think these gardens are so amazing to have in the middle of the concrete jungle. When Bill 2 spoke about how there used to be a house standing where this lovely garden now is. When the house was demolished, the community came together to make a garden, which was just beautiful. After we walked over to the La Plaza Cultural garden where we found out that not only is a place to plant fruit and vegetables but political conversations can take place there. Bill 2 then headed over to Tompkins Square Park where he spoke in great lengths about the history of the park and the surround areas. Though it was extensive, it was interesting. By that time I was losing interested as we had been standing for hours and I was not in a million years about to sit on the floor in Tompkins Square Park, I used to hang out there in the 90’s and I know what it was like. Just in the past 20 years there has been quite a change in this area. Gentrification is key in this area. NYU is a big influence on the Lower East Side along with local city government taking charge. Though the area has become more “safe and pretty” over the years, I miss the old New York.
EAST OF THE PARK
Adventure numero tres, east side, baby! Wellies, check, raincoat, check, umbrella, check… barely any rain all day, yup! I was prepared for the crazy storms we were supposed to get but not so much and I was ok with that.
Our first stop was the Museum of the City of New York. I didn’t even know this place existed. I love learning about all things New York and this was the place, indeed. Part of one their exhibitions was Green-Wood Cemetery. Not only is Green-Wood Cemetery is gorgeous and filled with famous people; my grandmother is resting there. So to know that one of the most famous cemeteries houses my grandma, I once again become proud that I’m a true New Yorker. We then watched an extremely interesting 22-minute movie on the history of New York. I loved to see the development of the Island of Manhattan and how the subways really were a gateway to a new world. My parents still call the subway the “L” and now I know why. Which makes sense because they grew up in Bay Ridge and Bensonhurst where the subways are elevated. After the movie we saw what living in a micro apartment was all about. I lived in a 400 sq. ft. apartment with my husband and that wasn’t great but if I was young, single and wanted to experience that city life, I would be all over these! These new apartments are genius!
Once we left the museum we headed east in The Barrio to meet our walking guide, Luke. He was so captivating. He was a wealth of information about local artists and community leaders. He seems to be a very peaceful man and a man full of love and passion. We walked over to a school on East 106th Street to look at the graffiti that is painted on the wall by famous graffiti artists. It was beautiful, vibrant colors, amazing shapes and designs. He promotes creativity and finding inner happiness. His last stop on the tour was Julia De Burgos Latino Cultural Center on Lexington Ave and 106th Street where he performed a piece of his poetry for us. It was mesmerizing. He is truly wonderful spirit, that guy Luke!
After the walking tour with Luke we headed to Central Park. We walked along 5th Ave then dipped into Central Park around 100th Street. The park was pretty quiet as it wasn’t great weather at that time. When we were at the Conservatory, which was gorgeous, it started to drizzle but onwards and forwards. It’s pretty crazy to think how large Central Park is at a whooping 843 acres. (BG 279) I mean there are several bodies of water in the middle of Manhattan is crazy enough and one being the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir which is 10 block long in itself! Crazy! All this walking through the park landed us at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Met is the largest, most comprehensive art museum in the world. It houses more than 2 million objects and has over 5 million visitors a year. (BG 326). We didn’t have enough time for Don’s art tour as the museum was closing in 25 minutes. However, there was enough time to see their large exhibition, PUNK: Chaos to Couture. I had mixed feelings about seeing this show. When you walk in and see a replica of the CBGB’s bathroom with my friends’ band names are copied on their fake walls was quiet interesting. However, the costumes were gorgeous. Punk no, gorgeous, yes. They chose to showcase Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren’s whose designs were pretty cool. The videos and sounds of Sid Vicious, Johnny Rotten and The Clash was an obvious touch but appropriate, nonetheless. I was really glad we went to The Met and glad to say I saw this exhibition.
Just when I thought we were done for the day, off to Strawberry Fields we go. It was beautiful, minus the “mayor” of Strawberry Fields being there. However, I guess he was plethora of information. I’m sure Yoko Ono has some sort of restraining order against him. Haha He seemed a little obsessed. Nevertheless, it is pretty awesome that he places flowers on top if the spot everyday. Now that’s dedication. We then checked out the Dakota Apartments where John Lennon lived and was murder on December 8th, 1980. Yoko still lives there.
Today was a good day despite my feet killing me.
Our first stop was the Museum of the City of New York. I didn’t even know this place existed. I love learning about all things New York and this was the place, indeed. Part of one their exhibitions was Green-Wood Cemetery. Not only is Green-Wood Cemetery is gorgeous and filled with famous people; my grandmother is resting there. So to know that one of the most famous cemeteries houses my grandma, I once again become proud that I’m a true New Yorker. We then watched an extremely interesting 22-minute movie on the history of New York. I loved to see the development of the Island of Manhattan and how the subways really were a gateway to a new world. My parents still call the subway the “L” and now I know why. Which makes sense because they grew up in Bay Ridge and Bensonhurst where the subways are elevated. After the movie we saw what living in a micro apartment was all about. I lived in a 400 sq. ft. apartment with my husband and that wasn’t great but if I was young, single and wanted to experience that city life, I would be all over these! These new apartments are genius!
Once we left the museum we headed east in The Barrio to meet our walking guide, Luke. He was so captivating. He was a wealth of information about local artists and community leaders. He seems to be a very peaceful man and a man full of love and passion. We walked over to a school on East 106th Street to look at the graffiti that is painted on the wall by famous graffiti artists. It was beautiful, vibrant colors, amazing shapes and designs. He promotes creativity and finding inner happiness. His last stop on the tour was Julia De Burgos Latino Cultural Center on Lexington Ave and 106th Street where he performed a piece of his poetry for us. It was mesmerizing. He is truly wonderful spirit, that guy Luke!
After the walking tour with Luke we headed to Central Park. We walked along 5th Ave then dipped into Central Park around 100th Street. The park was pretty quiet as it wasn’t great weather at that time. When we were at the Conservatory, which was gorgeous, it started to drizzle but onwards and forwards. It’s pretty crazy to think how large Central Park is at a whooping 843 acres. (BG 279) I mean there are several bodies of water in the middle of Manhattan is crazy enough and one being the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir which is 10 block long in itself! Crazy! All this walking through the park landed us at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Met is the largest, most comprehensive art museum in the world. It houses more than 2 million objects and has over 5 million visitors a year. (BG 326). We didn’t have enough time for Don’s art tour as the museum was closing in 25 minutes. However, there was enough time to see their large exhibition, PUNK: Chaos to Couture. I had mixed feelings about seeing this show. When you walk in and see a replica of the CBGB’s bathroom with my friends’ band names are copied on their fake walls was quiet interesting. However, the costumes were gorgeous. Punk no, gorgeous, yes. They chose to showcase Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren’s whose designs were pretty cool. The videos and sounds of Sid Vicious, Johnny Rotten and The Clash was an obvious touch but appropriate, nonetheless. I was really glad we went to The Met and glad to say I saw this exhibition.
Just when I thought we were done for the day, off to Strawberry Fields we go. It was beautiful, minus the “mayor” of Strawberry Fields being there. However, I guess he was plethora of information. I’m sure Yoko Ono has some sort of restraining order against him. Haha He seemed a little obsessed. Nevertheless, it is pretty awesome that he places flowers on top if the spot everyday. Now that’s dedication. We then checked out the Dakota Apartments where John Lennon lived and was murder on December 8th, 1980. Yoko still lives there.
Today was a good day despite my feet killing me.
THE WILD WESTSIDE
WESTSIDE!!
We started our day in Penn as we always do then headed by foot to Times Square, link. In order for us to get to Times Square, we had to venture through Herald Square. Here is where we noted our first pedestrian zone. The City of New York and Mayor Michael Bloomberg started to make this car free zones in 2009 in order to make the area more tourist, pedestrian and locals. Some people this think this is terrific idea, some not so much. I think this is great especially when you work in the area and want to eat lunch outside. As we walked uptown more to Times Square, Don reminisced on how bad that area used to be. Back in the day it was full of drugs, prostitution and peep shows. Because of Mayor Giuliani, it now has been cleaned up and become like Disney World. Personally, I think it has gone too far, however, if it attracts more tourists and boosted the NYC economy, I’m all for it!
We then headed east to the GE Building at Rockefeller Center. This building is gorgeous! The Art Deco design is exquisite. Don then discussed the mural on the ceiling. Originally it was commissioned to Diego Rivera to paint it. He apparently started the painted but it was never finished by him. Mr Rivera was was s communist and he included a portrait of Lenin in the painting. People weren’t too please. Jose Maria Sert completed the mural in the end. We then headed outside to be greeted by HUGE stone statues.
It is an art exhibit by Ugo Rondinone called Human Nature. They were massive! It reminded me of Stonehenge!
After Rockefeller Center, we heading to my FAVORITE art museum in the world, the Museum of Modern Art, MoMA. The Museum of Modern Art is one of the city’s premier cultural institutions, one the greatest repositories not only of modern painting and sculpture but also of drawing, design, photography and film. (BG. 260) We walked through the museum and found the room with important New York artists, like Pollock, de Kooning, Rauschenberg and Johns. These abstract expressionists had quite the impact on the art work in the 1940’s and beyond. Don explained to us the importance of Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d’Avignon and how it was one of the most important pieces of work in the museum. The painting was bought by the MoMA in 1939 at the time of its first Picasso show. (BG 262) We then headed to the 5th floor to check out some Pop Art by Andy Warhol. I particularly don’t care for Warhol’s art as I think he gets way too much credit for work he really didn’t do. But that’s just me. Don explained to the class about he he would design the piece and his flunkies would screen it, I glad he said what I thought! ha!
By this time I think the class was arted out, so we headed to Hell’s Kitchen for Thai food. I have no comment on the food.
After a not so fully belly, we trained it to 125th Street in Harlem, where we met Jim. Jim was a very actor looking fella and was a wealth of New York City information. Harlem was founded in 1658 by Dutch farmers, they originally called it Nieuw Haarlem. Less then 200 years later Harlem had the Harlem Railroad, from there came the influx of immigrants. (BG 437) Jim schooled us on the Jazz era of music in the 30’s and 40’s with Cab Calloway and Dizzy Gillespie. And spoke extensively about Amateur Night at The Apollo. I wish we got to do a tour of the Apollo. Anyway, it started to rain heavily and our tour was cut short. However, I wish it wasn’t as I lived in Harlem for many years and didn’t know much about it. It would have been good to learn about my old hood. Oh well! So as it started to pour, we packed it in and headed home.
Until Thursday...