Journals 1-4
1. Impressions of NYC:
Being born and raised on Long Island, the idea of staying on the island became almost a habit of mine because just the thought of having to catch a train ride gave me anxiety. Although, I have familiarized myself with the train system, to this day, going into the city makes me uneasy. If I was dropped off anywhere in New York City, I could not find my way anywhere. In the fall of 2013, I took an Ecology class at Molloy College, where we took field trips into the city and being that I had to travel alone, I finally eased up to the idea.
I never ventured out into New York City much and I always felt blessed to be able to tell people that I lived in NY but ashamed at the same time. My parents are both immigrants from Portugal and I have been traveling there my whole life as far as I can remember. To the Portuguese people being from America alone is awesome but being from NY is almost as if you are from another planet. In that moment is when I know that New York City is more than just the city 40 minutes away by train. But as every well-known city does, there are those people who associate NYC with their negative opinions.
As I know from traveling around the world, many people associate New York City with insane traffic, massive amount of people, fashion shows, movie scenes, Broadway shows, shopping, subways and trains, crazy nightlife, taxi cabs, fast-food restaurants, and maybe even just a dirty big city. New York City is far beyond the stereotypical ideas that people believe in other states and countries. It is a large city where you can witness the blending of all different cultures from all around. Many individuals travel there every day to build a career and future, to make money, to place meals on their family’s plates, and to experience the beauty of all the surroundings.
I believe the diversity of cultures in New York City is what makes the city truly beautiful in every aspect. The high level of opportunities in this “concrete jungle where dreams are made of” (Alicia Keys), is what sincerely attracts and motivates me. In taking this Gotham class, I know I will familiarize in greater detail about this city’s history, culture, surroundings, and furthermore. I hope after these visits into the city that I can finally find my way around the city without using Google maps on my iPhone and be able to share with people the journey and knowledge I learned during this period of time!
Being born and raised on Long Island, the idea of staying on the island became almost a habit of mine because just the thought of having to catch a train ride gave me anxiety. Although, I have familiarized myself with the train system, to this day, going into the city makes me uneasy. If I was dropped off anywhere in New York City, I could not find my way anywhere. In the fall of 2013, I took an Ecology class at Molloy College, where we took field trips into the city and being that I had to travel alone, I finally eased up to the idea.
I never ventured out into New York City much and I always felt blessed to be able to tell people that I lived in NY but ashamed at the same time. My parents are both immigrants from Portugal and I have been traveling there my whole life as far as I can remember. To the Portuguese people being from America alone is awesome but being from NY is almost as if you are from another planet. In that moment is when I know that New York City is more than just the city 40 minutes away by train. But as every well-known city does, there are those people who associate NYC with their negative opinions.
As I know from traveling around the world, many people associate New York City with insane traffic, massive amount of people, fashion shows, movie scenes, Broadway shows, shopping, subways and trains, crazy nightlife, taxi cabs, fast-food restaurants, and maybe even just a dirty big city. New York City is far beyond the stereotypical ideas that people believe in other states and countries. It is a large city where you can witness the blending of all different cultures from all around. Many individuals travel there every day to build a career and future, to make money, to place meals on their family’s plates, and to experience the beauty of all the surroundings.
I believe the diversity of cultures in New York City is what makes the city truly beautiful in every aspect. The high level of opportunities in this “concrete jungle where dreams are made of” (Alicia Keys), is what sincerely attracts and motivates me. In taking this Gotham class, I know I will familiarize in greater detail about this city’s history, culture, surroundings, and furthermore. I hope after these visits into the city that I can finally find my way around the city without using Google maps on my iPhone and be able to share with people the journey and knowledge I learned during this period of time!
2. Queens:
If you ask people around the world who dream of NYC, they most definitely don't know about the city of Queens. In fact, the only time that many tourists and individuals step foot in Queens is when they are landing and deporting at the JFK airport. Then there is the fellow Long Islanders whom believe Queens consists of only Jamaica and does not always have the best reputation. Often when Long Islander venture out into the city of New York on the LIRR and look at tickets many times thoughts are, "do we transfer at Jamaica?" or "I'm not stopping at Jamaica," and even "I'll just wait for the next train that doesn't stop at Jamaica." Then there are the Hollywood people who speak or sing about growing up in Queens and how they struggled to make it out there or lived in horrible conditions. Therefore, why wouldn't people have this negative image of Queens?
But Queens is much more than a struggling, unsafe, and a dreaded transfer at the Jamaica station city. As mentioned in the book "Essential New York" on page 213, out of the NY boroughs it is the largest in land area, in population it is the second largest, and would be the fourth largest city in the United States if NY boroughs were independent cities. Queens is filled with cemeteries, many parkways, the two major NY airports JFK and LaGuardia. Then there is the 7 train, Flushing Meadow Park, Astoria, Long Island City, Flushing, and ground to two World's Fairs. Just within Flushing Meadow Park there is so much to explore that many do not even know about!
As mentioned before Queens contains the 7 train, stated in "ENY" page 215, is known as the "International Express." Also "ENY" discusses the great experience of ethnical diversity in Queens' communities from riding that it was designated as a National Millennium Trail by the White House. This was my first experience with Flushing Meadow Park and the surroundings such as Citi Field, USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, the Unisphere, The Queens Museum of Art and much more. This day was the perfect example of Queens' potential because of the individuals crowding around to arrive at, as "ENY" references, home of the US Open and the world's largest public tennis facility, for Saturday's US Open. After looking at the Unisphere, my first thought was "what a beautifully placed giant globe." But the sphere became incredible in my eyes, after learning that there was a specific manner to the position so it can stand without falling and qualities it needed to be built to resist the exposure of weather conditions.
Then there was the The Queens Musuem of Art, also home to the United Nations from 1946 till 1951. Within this museum is a piece of work created for the World's Fair covering 9.335 square feet and a scale of 1 inch to 100 feet, the Panorama of the City of New York. There are billions of photographs of New York all over the internet and there are hundred famous pictures, but none that can compare to the Panorama. I feel that as a New Yorker I find it much more rewarding but I appreciated that those in charge of the Museum have not updated the Panorama since 1992, still holding onto the view of the beautiful NYC with the Twin Towers.
Although there have been times I have ventured off into Astoria, this day I really took into account the gentrification process. And gentrification was immediately recognized by taking a few steps and turning right on a corner. Astoria seems to be an option for many young people to go out at night whether it is to go to dinner, high end cafes, and for night life such as bars or club but Astoria is just as beautiful during the day. The Museum of the Moving Image was a cool experience as well, to be able to see the drawing of many famous cartoons and clothing worn by many famous actors in all different movies.
One life lesson I learned this day, thanking the Queens Museum, never to drink Long Island tap water in my life again. Also, I probably would never have think to myself, "I should try Indian food today," ever! If you were to ask me to try Indian food several weeks ago I probably would have never thought of it, but it definitely changed my mind. In the end, I feel what makes Queens so beautiful and unique is the amount of diversification that exists within city itself and how the city buildings have heard the simplest of things in all the different languages that are
If you ask people around the world who dream of NYC, they most definitely don't know about the city of Queens. In fact, the only time that many tourists and individuals step foot in Queens is when they are landing and deporting at the JFK airport. Then there is the fellow Long Islanders whom believe Queens consists of only Jamaica and does not always have the best reputation. Often when Long Islander venture out into the city of New York on the LIRR and look at tickets many times thoughts are, "do we transfer at Jamaica?" or "I'm not stopping at Jamaica," and even "I'll just wait for the next train that doesn't stop at Jamaica." Then there are the Hollywood people who speak or sing about growing up in Queens and how they struggled to make it out there or lived in horrible conditions. Therefore, why wouldn't people have this negative image of Queens?
But Queens is much more than a struggling, unsafe, and a dreaded transfer at the Jamaica station city. As mentioned in the book "Essential New York" on page 213, out of the NY boroughs it is the largest in land area, in population it is the second largest, and would be the fourth largest city in the United States if NY boroughs were independent cities. Queens is filled with cemeteries, many parkways, the two major NY airports JFK and LaGuardia. Then there is the 7 train, Flushing Meadow Park, Astoria, Long Island City, Flushing, and ground to two World's Fairs. Just within Flushing Meadow Park there is so much to explore that many do not even know about!
As mentioned before Queens contains the 7 train, stated in "ENY" page 215, is known as the "International Express." Also "ENY" discusses the great experience of ethnical diversity in Queens' communities from riding that it was designated as a National Millennium Trail by the White House. This was my first experience with Flushing Meadow Park and the surroundings such as Citi Field, USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, the Unisphere, The Queens Museum of Art and much more. This day was the perfect example of Queens' potential because of the individuals crowding around to arrive at, as "ENY" references, home of the US Open and the world's largest public tennis facility, for Saturday's US Open. After looking at the Unisphere, my first thought was "what a beautifully placed giant globe." But the sphere became incredible in my eyes, after learning that there was a specific manner to the position so it can stand without falling and qualities it needed to be built to resist the exposure of weather conditions.
Then there was the The Queens Musuem of Art, also home to the United Nations from 1946 till 1951. Within this museum is a piece of work created for the World's Fair covering 9.335 square feet and a scale of 1 inch to 100 feet, the Panorama of the City of New York. There are billions of photographs of New York all over the internet and there are hundred famous pictures, but none that can compare to the Panorama. I feel that as a New Yorker I find it much more rewarding but I appreciated that those in charge of the Museum have not updated the Panorama since 1992, still holding onto the view of the beautiful NYC with the Twin Towers.
Although there have been times I have ventured off into Astoria, this day I really took into account the gentrification process. And gentrification was immediately recognized by taking a few steps and turning right on a corner. Astoria seems to be an option for many young people to go out at night whether it is to go to dinner, high end cafes, and for night life such as bars or club but Astoria is just as beautiful during the day. The Museum of the Moving Image was a cool experience as well, to be able to see the drawing of many famous cartoons and clothing worn by many famous actors in all different movies.
One life lesson I learned this day, thanking the Queens Museum, never to drink Long Island tap water in my life again. Also, I probably would never have think to myself, "I should try Indian food today," ever! If you were to ask me to try Indian food several weeks ago I probably would have never thought of it, but it definitely changed my mind. In the end, I feel what makes Queens so beautiful and unique is the amount of diversification that exists within city itself and how the city buildings have heard the simplest of things in all the different languages that are
3.Brooklyn:
Bodacious Brooklyn is certainly well known in comparison to Queens, but there are still those who are oblivious to the beauty the second high densely populated county in the US has to offer, according to “ENY”(page 191). The completion of the Brooklyn Bridge was in the year of 1883, which increased migration because of the strengthening of the physical connection between Brooklyn and Manhattan. Later on, in the year of 1898 the modern city of New York had the conversion where Brooklyn joined the other boroughs Manhattan, Bronx, Queens, and State Island, becoming the five boroughs of NYC.
Walking a total of 1.1 miles across the longest suspension bridge in the world (“ESP” page 208), the Brooklyn Bridge, was yet another first time experience for myself. With all the everyday New Yorkers and the crowd of tourists walking across with the class, the view is an experience in itself. The views consisted of the other bridges such as Manhattan Bridge and the skyline of the wonderful NYC.
When finally reaching the end of the Brooklyn Bridge, we walked over to Brooklyn Bridge Park. This area is known as the Dumbo, an acronym for, ‘Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass’ with an incredible view of Manhattan across the river. The Dumbo is an area between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges and continues east from the Manhattan Bridge into Vinegar Hill area. The 1970’s manufacturing decline in NY made Brooklyn attractive to many artists, as they needed low-cost loft spaces.
The Brooklyn Bridge Park also includes Jane’s Carousel, built in 1922. Originally installed and located in the state of Ohio in a theme park in Youngstown. In 1984, Jane Walentas and husband bought the carousel after being severely damaged due to a fire. In “ENY” on page 208, it mentioned that Jane spent 20 years “lovingly restoring” each one of the carousel’s wooden horses and then paid nine million dollars on the transparent “jewel box” in which it sits in today. Across this historical every little girl’s dream carousel is the remaining of two buildings from the civil war period, covered in graffiti and of course missing windows, adding historical views to the site of Dumbo.
If one still believes that Brooklyn does not have that much beauty and history, they need to continue walking up and down the streets of the Brooklyn Heights neighborhood. Brooklyn Heights is the grounds to many elegant, attractive, and expensive homes. Offering many Brownstone style homes, historical churches, Plymouth Church of the Pilgrims, and history from the American Revolution with the site of Washington’s headquarters during the Battle of Long Island.
Then there is the elite Brooklyn Historical Society where one can learn all the history of what Brooklyn once was and what Brooklyn has become. When entering the museum part of the building, you experience a more modern type of learning experience, but after walking around and going upstairs you are left with a different view. The building has so much history to offer from the basement to the top floor. The basement showing off the original bricks placed underneath the columns holding the building up. Many wealthy elite Brooklynites whom wanted to show off the history of Brooklyn built the building. The Historical society founder was one of the one percent, constructing the building to look beautiful so that not just anybody could use the building, and then charged a high membership fee in which only a small portion of individuals could afford, presenting the inequality of wealth. Oh, did I mention the library? Yes, the library, not the largest library but amazingly constructed with beautifully designed architecture! I don't like libraries but I could sit in there ALL day.
Despite the unpleasant weather we had during this Brooklyn, it was nearly impossible not to make the best of the day. One can spend an entire day in Brooklyn just to view and experience all the history it has to offer and another day to embrace the beauty contained within the city. I definitely left Brooklyn today with a completely different mindset of what Brooklyn truly is.
Bodacious Brooklyn is certainly well known in comparison to Queens, but there are still those who are oblivious to the beauty the second high densely populated county in the US has to offer, according to “ENY”(page 191). The completion of the Brooklyn Bridge was in the year of 1883, which increased migration because of the strengthening of the physical connection between Brooklyn and Manhattan. Later on, in the year of 1898 the modern city of New York had the conversion where Brooklyn joined the other boroughs Manhattan, Bronx, Queens, and State Island, becoming the five boroughs of NYC.
Walking a total of 1.1 miles across the longest suspension bridge in the world (“ESP” page 208), the Brooklyn Bridge, was yet another first time experience for myself. With all the everyday New Yorkers and the crowd of tourists walking across with the class, the view is an experience in itself. The views consisted of the other bridges such as Manhattan Bridge and the skyline of the wonderful NYC.
When finally reaching the end of the Brooklyn Bridge, we walked over to Brooklyn Bridge Park. This area is known as the Dumbo, an acronym for, ‘Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass’ with an incredible view of Manhattan across the river. The Dumbo is an area between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges and continues east from the Manhattan Bridge into Vinegar Hill area. The 1970’s manufacturing decline in NY made Brooklyn attractive to many artists, as they needed low-cost loft spaces.
The Brooklyn Bridge Park also includes Jane’s Carousel, built in 1922. Originally installed and located in the state of Ohio in a theme park in Youngstown. In 1984, Jane Walentas and husband bought the carousel after being severely damaged due to a fire. In “ENY” on page 208, it mentioned that Jane spent 20 years “lovingly restoring” each one of the carousel’s wooden horses and then paid nine million dollars on the transparent “jewel box” in which it sits in today. Across this historical every little girl’s dream carousel is the remaining of two buildings from the civil war period, covered in graffiti and of course missing windows, adding historical views to the site of Dumbo.
If one still believes that Brooklyn does not have that much beauty and history, they need to continue walking up and down the streets of the Brooklyn Heights neighborhood. Brooklyn Heights is the grounds to many elegant, attractive, and expensive homes. Offering many Brownstone style homes, historical churches, Plymouth Church of the Pilgrims, and history from the American Revolution with the site of Washington’s headquarters during the Battle of Long Island.
Then there is the elite Brooklyn Historical Society where one can learn all the history of what Brooklyn once was and what Brooklyn has become. When entering the museum part of the building, you experience a more modern type of learning experience, but after walking around and going upstairs you are left with a different view. The building has so much history to offer from the basement to the top floor. The basement showing off the original bricks placed underneath the columns holding the building up. Many wealthy elite Brooklynites whom wanted to show off the history of Brooklyn built the building. The Historical society founder was one of the one percent, constructing the building to look beautiful so that not just anybody could use the building, and then charged a high membership fee in which only a small portion of individuals could afford, presenting the inequality of wealth. Oh, did I mention the library? Yes, the library, not the largest library but amazingly constructed with beautifully designed architecture! I don't like libraries but I could sit in there ALL day.
Despite the unpleasant weather we had during this Brooklyn, it was nearly impossible not to make the best of the day. One can spend an entire day in Brooklyn just to view and experience all the history it has to offer and another day to embrace the beauty contained within the city. I definitely left Brooklyn today with a completely different mindset of what Brooklyn truly is.
4. The Village:
Although, unsuccessful in walking further across The High Line, the short walk I had justified the thought I had of enjoying the experience. The prior subway line known as the “death line,” as “ENY” states is now a walking ground for the public with gorgeous flowers planted on each side. Once we climbed down we came to a block filled with galleries including many famous NY artists who some have work that is priced at our Long Island homes.
The first gallery we entered in and the gallery in which caught my eyes was David Hockney’s because in the front and center of the gallery is a flat screen displaying his incredible photographs. Then to process the thought that his art, many people explained as being a elementary student’s art class project, makes millions of dollars and many people would die to have one of his paintings hanging in their homes, I salute him. Lets just say, David’s paintings are not for everyone…
In the East Village there is the Merchant’s House Museum, which gives visitors a view of how a house typically looked for a more affluent family in the mid 19th century. This house was built in 1832 then bought by Seabury Tredwell, a rich merchant in the year 1835. This became the home to Mr. Tredwell his wife, eight children, four servants, and relatives. Eventually, his youngest daughter Gertrude inherited her family’s home until her death in 1933. Thankfully, Gertrude made little to no changes within her lifetime while occupying the house, preserving all the furniture and household items.
Then there was the viewing of 41 Cooper Square, talk about a complete change from the old style row house of the Tredwell’s. 41 Cooper Square demonstrates a drastic change in architecture with a more modern approach on how buildings were once created. I think we can agree that the building is created with better design ideas than most Long Island buildings.
After Queens, even though I enjoyed the Indian food, I didn’t see myself eating it so quickly again even though I did in fact enjoy it. But on this day, out of all the restaurants, I chose to go the Indian path for lunch. Today we did A LOT of walking, truthfully I was a little exhausted after all the adventures and sight seeing. After all that walking and the learning, there is so many different activities that NYC has to offer to the public!
Although, unsuccessful in walking further across The High Line, the short walk I had justified the thought I had of enjoying the experience. The prior subway line known as the “death line,” as “ENY” states is now a walking ground for the public with gorgeous flowers planted on each side. Once we climbed down we came to a block filled with galleries including many famous NY artists who some have work that is priced at our Long Island homes.
The first gallery we entered in and the gallery in which caught my eyes was David Hockney’s because in the front and center of the gallery is a flat screen displaying his incredible photographs. Then to process the thought that his art, many people explained as being a elementary student’s art class project, makes millions of dollars and many people would die to have one of his paintings hanging in their homes, I salute him. Lets just say, David’s paintings are not for everyone…
In the East Village there is the Merchant’s House Museum, which gives visitors a view of how a house typically looked for a more affluent family in the mid 19th century. This house was built in 1832 then bought by Seabury Tredwell, a rich merchant in the year 1835. This became the home to Mr. Tredwell his wife, eight children, four servants, and relatives. Eventually, his youngest daughter Gertrude inherited her family’s home until her death in 1933. Thankfully, Gertrude made little to no changes within her lifetime while occupying the house, preserving all the furniture and household items.
Then there was the viewing of 41 Cooper Square, talk about a complete change from the old style row house of the Tredwell’s. 41 Cooper Square demonstrates a drastic change in architecture with a more modern approach on how buildings were once created. I think we can agree that the building is created with better design ideas than most Long Island buildings.
After Queens, even though I enjoyed the Indian food, I didn’t see myself eating it so quickly again even though I did in fact enjoy it. But on this day, out of all the restaurants, I chose to go the Indian path for lunch. Today we did A LOT of walking, truthfully I was a little exhausted after all the adventures and sight seeing. After all that walking and the learning, there is so many different activities that NYC has to offer to the public!