Journals 5-9
5. East Side:
When Mike Russo told the class we would be visiting East Harlem the week before today’s class, I immediately thought we would be walking through a dangerous neighborhood. When I told my family I would be visiting Harlem when I walked out the door today, their first reaction was to giggle and said “good luck with that!” Therefore, one realizes the reputation Harlem may have to those who are unaware with the community. But, boy did today’s class prove us all wrong!
East Harlem, Morningside Heights, and Harlem are three communities that are located north of Central Park and is a culturally diversified area. These communities were rather rural up until the 19th century when rail services were established in 1880 and the constructing of apartment buildings began (ENY 162). Once these subways were created, northern Manhattan became a reasonable area economically (ENY 161).
Today’s class adventures began in East Harlem formally known as Spanish Harlem to the community or El Barrio due to the high Latino population it contains. This area is located in uptown Manhattan where you will find the Harlem River to the north, to the south will be East 96th Street, to the east will be the East River, and to the west will be Fifth Avenue (ENY 161).
Once we stepped off the subways we walked along the streets of the neighborhood where we walked underneath a large and long built brick overpass that led to housing projects. These housing projects or Carver Houses are located along Park Avenue containing. The Carver Houses completed in 1958 contain 13 housing projects, which were created for those with low income (ENY 162).
On Fifth Avenue, we visited the Museum of the City of New York, founded in 1923 but placed in this current location in 1932 (ENY 162-163). This museum emphasizes the history of New York City such opportunity, perpetual transformation, and the multiculturalism. Here we watched a multimedia documentary or short video called “Timescapes” that demonstrated in 22 minutes the history of NYC (ENY 163).
Then we met Lucas who is an American-Latino and currently a poet and Art Educator. Lucas gave us a tour around Spanish Harlem where he pointed out beautiful murals and gardens. The mural that amazed me was the “Spirit of East Harlem” created by Hank Prussing in the year 1978 and restored and maintained by Manny Vega (ENY 163). This mural is massive and displays the dilemmas the Latinos faced in East Harlem in the 1970 (ENY 163).
During Lucas’ tour of East Harlem two different local men approached us and gave us a feel of the community. One man was jamming to his little music box and walking jolly along the streets of Spanish Harlem until he saw our group. Unfortunately, he was speaking Spanglish and we could not fully understand what he was saying but what I did understand is how much he LOVED his community. Then the second man around came and was explaining how the community is really starting to better itself, aka gentrification! So yes, there is gentrification occurring in East Harlem not only did we witness it ourselves but we had a local tell us so!
On our lunch break I had the obvious, Spanish food, not to mention amazing and authentic! After lunch, I guess it was necessary to walk off all that Spanish food we consumed so we went to Upper Central Park where we walked through several beautiful and outstanding gardens. Then we took a seat on a big rock aka “our classroom” where we spoke about our feelings of East Harlem.
After that I experienced my first time at Grand Central Station and I was mind blown at the inside décor. I have always seen pictures of this particular station but standing inside is another thought. It has absolutely not even one thing in comparison to Pennsylvania Station aka “shit station” (Mike Russo). Then we walked around New York City where we examined the Waldorf-Astoria, Chrysler Building, GE Building, and the other buildings with beautiful interior and exterior decor.
When Mike Russo told the class we would be visiting East Harlem the week before today’s class, I immediately thought we would be walking through a dangerous neighborhood. When I told my family I would be visiting Harlem when I walked out the door today, their first reaction was to giggle and said “good luck with that!” Therefore, one realizes the reputation Harlem may have to those who are unaware with the community. But, boy did today’s class prove us all wrong!
East Harlem, Morningside Heights, and Harlem are three communities that are located north of Central Park and is a culturally diversified area. These communities were rather rural up until the 19th century when rail services were established in 1880 and the constructing of apartment buildings began (ENY 162). Once these subways were created, northern Manhattan became a reasonable area economically (ENY 161).
Today’s class adventures began in East Harlem formally known as Spanish Harlem to the community or El Barrio due to the high Latino population it contains. This area is located in uptown Manhattan where you will find the Harlem River to the north, to the south will be East 96th Street, to the east will be the East River, and to the west will be Fifth Avenue (ENY 161).
Once we stepped off the subways we walked along the streets of the neighborhood where we walked underneath a large and long built brick overpass that led to housing projects. These housing projects or Carver Houses are located along Park Avenue containing. The Carver Houses completed in 1958 contain 13 housing projects, which were created for those with low income (ENY 162).
On Fifth Avenue, we visited the Museum of the City of New York, founded in 1923 but placed in this current location in 1932 (ENY 162-163). This museum emphasizes the history of New York City such opportunity, perpetual transformation, and the multiculturalism. Here we watched a multimedia documentary or short video called “Timescapes” that demonstrated in 22 minutes the history of NYC (ENY 163).
Then we met Lucas who is an American-Latino and currently a poet and Art Educator. Lucas gave us a tour around Spanish Harlem where he pointed out beautiful murals and gardens. The mural that amazed me was the “Spirit of East Harlem” created by Hank Prussing in the year 1978 and restored and maintained by Manny Vega (ENY 163). This mural is massive and displays the dilemmas the Latinos faced in East Harlem in the 1970 (ENY 163).
During Lucas’ tour of East Harlem two different local men approached us and gave us a feel of the community. One man was jamming to his little music box and walking jolly along the streets of Spanish Harlem until he saw our group. Unfortunately, he was speaking Spanglish and we could not fully understand what he was saying but what I did understand is how much he LOVED his community. Then the second man around came and was explaining how the community is really starting to better itself, aka gentrification! So yes, there is gentrification occurring in East Harlem not only did we witness it ourselves but we had a local tell us so!
On our lunch break I had the obvious, Spanish food, not to mention amazing and authentic! After lunch, I guess it was necessary to walk off all that Spanish food we consumed so we went to Upper Central Park where we walked through several beautiful and outstanding gardens. Then we took a seat on a big rock aka “our classroom” where we spoke about our feelings of East Harlem.
After that I experienced my first time at Grand Central Station and I was mind blown at the inside décor. I have always seen pictures of this particular station but standing inside is another thought. It has absolutely not even one thing in comparison to Pennsylvania Station aka “shit station” (Mike Russo). Then we walked around New York City where we examined the Waldorf-Astoria, Chrysler Building, GE Building, and the other buildings with beautiful interior and exterior decor.
6. West Side :
The whole train ride on the LIRR all I could say to myself is “what a miserable day today is going to be, this is going to stink, I cannot believe were actually going to class, what are we going to possibly do?” as I refreshed the class website. But did not turn out to be as bad as expected, as always. I wonder if Mike has magical powers where he can make a bad situation good, no wonder he always has a smile on his face.
Our first stop was on 53rd Street, at the Museum of Modern Art home to collections of essential works of art from the 19th and 20th century. It is also categorized as one of the most influential and important museums of modern art in the world! (ENY 121). This was my first experience with the MOMA but due to the weather, I feel that it was NYC’s hotspot on a Saturday late morning. Also because it was so crowded, we spent very little time in the exhibits but rather just looking and moving along. All one really needs is a glace and it would be enough to catch your attention. From just random objects placed on the floor or in the middle of the exhibit, bath tubs, children beds, a man sitting in a bathtub that you must peak through a door to see, beheaded Jesus with water coming through his nipples, and furthermore. One particular example is of the room with drawn penises, I mean really, the little boy next to me said to his father “look daddy raindrops.” BUT, contemporary art may not be the most beautiful and divine work to look at but it is not supposed to be. It is going to make you feel a type of way and make you think, it is different.
For lunch we went to a Thai restaurant, named Yum Yum in an area labeled “Hell’s Kitchen.” This labeling of this restaurant-populated area is not really of known facts but it has been historically known as this. Then, we headed towards Grant’s Tomb where we learned about Ulysses S. Grant. During the Civil war Grant was commander of the Union army and a former President of the U.S. from the years of 1869-1877 (ENY 171). After Grant’s death due to cancer in 1885, his body was entombed in the brick tomb in Morningside Park. In 1897 this new memorial was completed, Grant’s body was moved here from France and with the death of his wife in the year of 1902, she joined him (ENY 171).
Just across the street of Grant’s Tomb is Riverside Church where we attempted to walk through but we were not permitted to do so. Afterwards, we experienced Columbia University and Barnard College campus. I was truly mind blown and maybe a little envious, just a little, but then again I would not be able to concentrate what so ever if that was my campus. In front of the library stands a statue of Alma Mater where if one looks closely you will find an owl. It is said that if one rubs the owl they will marry a Columbia graduate, so of course, I went and rubbed the owl. Anyway, this college sits on 36 acres, was New York State’s first established college, and the fifth college in the U.S. (ENY 169). With architecture done by the firm McKim, Mead, and White who are very well known for other NYC building designs.
Finaly, we made our way over to Amsterdam Avenue where we toured around the largest church in the United States, Cathedral of St. John the Divine (ENY 167). Churches typically do not amaze me because there are so many around that one begins to take advantage especially since I have traveled to Europe many times throughout my life and I have entered into many different churches but this one was very unique to my experience. I would definitely consider going back!
The whole train ride on the LIRR all I could say to myself is “what a miserable day today is going to be, this is going to stink, I cannot believe were actually going to class, what are we going to possibly do?” as I refreshed the class website. But did not turn out to be as bad as expected, as always. I wonder if Mike has magical powers where he can make a bad situation good, no wonder he always has a smile on his face.
Our first stop was on 53rd Street, at the Museum of Modern Art home to collections of essential works of art from the 19th and 20th century. It is also categorized as one of the most influential and important museums of modern art in the world! (ENY 121). This was my first experience with the MOMA but due to the weather, I feel that it was NYC’s hotspot on a Saturday late morning. Also because it was so crowded, we spent very little time in the exhibits but rather just looking and moving along. All one really needs is a glace and it would be enough to catch your attention. From just random objects placed on the floor or in the middle of the exhibit, bath tubs, children beds, a man sitting in a bathtub that you must peak through a door to see, beheaded Jesus with water coming through his nipples, and furthermore. One particular example is of the room with drawn penises, I mean really, the little boy next to me said to his father “look daddy raindrops.” BUT, contemporary art may not be the most beautiful and divine work to look at but it is not supposed to be. It is going to make you feel a type of way and make you think, it is different.
For lunch we went to a Thai restaurant, named Yum Yum in an area labeled “Hell’s Kitchen.” This labeling of this restaurant-populated area is not really of known facts but it has been historically known as this. Then, we headed towards Grant’s Tomb where we learned about Ulysses S. Grant. During the Civil war Grant was commander of the Union army and a former President of the U.S. from the years of 1869-1877 (ENY 171). After Grant’s death due to cancer in 1885, his body was entombed in the brick tomb in Morningside Park. In 1897 this new memorial was completed, Grant’s body was moved here from France and with the death of his wife in the year of 1902, she joined him (ENY 171).
Just across the street of Grant’s Tomb is Riverside Church where we attempted to walk through but we were not permitted to do so. Afterwards, we experienced Columbia University and Barnard College campus. I was truly mind blown and maybe a little envious, just a little, but then again I would not be able to concentrate what so ever if that was my campus. In front of the library stands a statue of Alma Mater where if one looks closely you will find an owl. It is said that if one rubs the owl they will marry a Columbia graduate, so of course, I went and rubbed the owl. Anyway, this college sits on 36 acres, was New York State’s first established college, and the fifth college in the U.S. (ENY 169). With architecture done by the firm McKim, Mead, and White who are very well known for other NYC building designs.
Finaly, we made our way over to Amsterdam Avenue where we toured around the largest church in the United States, Cathedral of St. John the Divine (ENY 167). Churches typically do not amaze me because there are so many around that one begins to take advantage especially since I have traveled to Europe many times throughout my life and I have entered into many different churches but this one was very unique to my experience. I would definitely consider going back!
7. Lower East & China Town:
Our first stop today was at Essex Market, on Essex Street. In the 20th century this area was extremely popular for people to sell and buy goods on the streets out of pushcarts (ENY 67). Later on, LaGuardia became Mayor in 1933 and he prohibited this because of the conditions it came with therefore, he created markets like Essex (ENY 67). Inside it was like stores within a huge store or like a tight mall of food places.
Then we walked to the Tenement Museum located in the lower East side on 103 Orchard Street off of Delancey Street (ENY 67). Surprisingly, I enjoyed this experience very much being that I do not really love going to museums. In the year this building was built, 1865, this area was highly German populated. Our tour guide spoke to us about the life of the immigrant families who lived in this building and their experiences. When I walked in I was shocked and scared but then I realized how incredible the building is. It literally is crumbling but beautifully because it looks so unique. The walls are cracked, the floors, and the fireplaces, and the furniture in the rooms where families lived…everything looks so exceptional!
So, then, Mike broke us up into several groups and sent us on a mission to explore Chinatown! He gave us a list of instructions of where to turn and to stop. There goes my group walking through Chinatown where we stop at several shops and look at the items being sold. Our first stop was a Chinese type “temple” where we all picked our fortune and well I would tell you what it said but I don’t want to bring myself bad luck. Anyway…we even bargained with a Chinese woman over a turtle my group member really wanted but ended up just not getting it. We looked at several other stores that have the typical NYC shirts, hats, bags, and etc. I can’t forget to mention how we stopped at a Chinese supermarket on Canal Street, yes…just some grocery shopping in Chinatown. As a group all we really got was well, candy, soda, and pre-made Starbucks not the dry fish hanging in the glass (sorry Mike not that exciting!).
When our group finished our tour, we ended at the Chinese restaurant, Congee Village where it was family style restaurant and delicious! I got to taste several different types of Chinese authentic food not like the typical chicken and broccoli with white rice on Long Island. Then we went to an old time candy store, Economy Candy. I could not feel more like a little kid. I did not even know where to begin, so many choices! But I stuck to my gut I got a couple chocolate bars, can’t go wrong with those. Then we walked near the Williamsburg Bridge, Bialystoker Synagogue, and we took a walk on Henry Street. I was truly shocked at how incredible the Tenement Museum was and then Chinatown gave me such anxiety and claustrophobia. I definitely wish we got to see more of the tenement building!
Our first stop today was at Essex Market, on Essex Street. In the 20th century this area was extremely popular for people to sell and buy goods on the streets out of pushcarts (ENY 67). Later on, LaGuardia became Mayor in 1933 and he prohibited this because of the conditions it came with therefore, he created markets like Essex (ENY 67). Inside it was like stores within a huge store or like a tight mall of food places.
Then we walked to the Tenement Museum located in the lower East side on 103 Orchard Street off of Delancey Street (ENY 67). Surprisingly, I enjoyed this experience very much being that I do not really love going to museums. In the year this building was built, 1865, this area was highly German populated. Our tour guide spoke to us about the life of the immigrant families who lived in this building and their experiences. When I walked in I was shocked and scared but then I realized how incredible the building is. It literally is crumbling but beautifully because it looks so unique. The walls are cracked, the floors, and the fireplaces, and the furniture in the rooms where families lived…everything looks so exceptional!
So, then, Mike broke us up into several groups and sent us on a mission to explore Chinatown! He gave us a list of instructions of where to turn and to stop. There goes my group walking through Chinatown where we stop at several shops and look at the items being sold. Our first stop was a Chinese type “temple” where we all picked our fortune and well I would tell you what it said but I don’t want to bring myself bad luck. Anyway…we even bargained with a Chinese woman over a turtle my group member really wanted but ended up just not getting it. We looked at several other stores that have the typical NYC shirts, hats, bags, and etc. I can’t forget to mention how we stopped at a Chinese supermarket on Canal Street, yes…just some grocery shopping in Chinatown. As a group all we really got was well, candy, soda, and pre-made Starbucks not the dry fish hanging in the glass (sorry Mike not that exciting!).
When our group finished our tour, we ended at the Chinese restaurant, Congee Village where it was family style restaurant and delicious! I got to taste several different types of Chinese authentic food not like the typical chicken and broccoli with white rice on Long Island. Then we went to an old time candy store, Economy Candy. I could not feel more like a little kid. I did not even know where to begin, so many choices! But I stuck to my gut I got a couple chocolate bars, can’t go wrong with those. Then we walked near the Williamsburg Bridge, Bialystoker Synagogue, and we took a walk on Henry Street. I was truly shocked at how incredible the Tenement Museum was and then Chinatown gave me such anxiety and claustrophobia. I definitely wish we got to see more of the tenement building!
8. Lower Manhattan:
This was my first experience at the Robert Wagner Park. Here we overlooked the New York Harbor and got an incredible view of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island! Then we strolled through Battery Park where we visited the Fraunces Tavern Museum. Some say that this particular building is Manhattan’s oldest building (ENY 55). Whether or not that is true, we do not know but we do not that it has been restored due to cannon balls passing through and weather conditions such as Super Storm Sandy in 2012. A wealthy merchant named Stephen Delancey originally built this building in 1719 and lived there until 1730 (ENY 55). In prior years, this was a meeting place for the New York’s Sons of Liberty (ENY 55). What fascinated me the most was that George Washington held his farewell dinner for the officers of his army (ENY 55). Here we saw what the rooms would look like for the people back then. The tour guided mentioned that the men dominated the building as to that the women were not aloud to be there most of the time. It was the “man cave” back then. Couple could rent out rooms for dinner but the women would leave and the men would stay gathered smoking, drinking, gambling, and talking.
Before we headed to our lunch spot we stopped at the Charging Bull where several people rubbed the testicles, I guess for good luck? Kind of how we stopped at Columbia and rubbed the owl…kind of. Well anyway, then we walked over to Hudson Eats in Battery Park. Once you walk upstairs into the building you have a large food court (not like Roosevelt Field Mall). I was actually amazed at how clean and well kept the food court. Typically, I am very against and grossed out by these types of food areas but I was comfortable. I took a look around and there were so many options perfect balance of everything. I ordered from Dos Tacos a Mexican little restaurant, which was excellent and very reasonably priced.
After lunch, we headed towards the 9/11 memorial which was a first time for me since the tragedy. I could not explain to you how I felt exactly because my emotions were all over the place. First I was excited to finally be able to see this amazing reconstruction done after such a drastic event because to me it represents how strong us New Yorkers really are. Then when I came close I was just amazed at how beautiful it all looked and how everyone was crowded around looking and just staring at it. I then began to feel sad about how this all happened and why and where would we be and what would be of the World if this never happened? Those thoughts crossed my mind a lot but I tried to just embrace the beautiful work while remembering all those who have lost their lives.
After the memorial we walked across the street to the St. Paul’s Chapel where I learned that amid what occurred on September 11th, the church remained. Through the buildings fallings and all the damage that the crash of the two buildings did to the city. Then after walking through the church we walked over to the Tweed Courthouse which is beautiful and the surroundings as well. This is where we ended our class today and all over our Saturday morning classes!
This was my first experience at the Robert Wagner Park. Here we overlooked the New York Harbor and got an incredible view of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island! Then we strolled through Battery Park where we visited the Fraunces Tavern Museum. Some say that this particular building is Manhattan’s oldest building (ENY 55). Whether or not that is true, we do not know but we do not that it has been restored due to cannon balls passing through and weather conditions such as Super Storm Sandy in 2012. A wealthy merchant named Stephen Delancey originally built this building in 1719 and lived there until 1730 (ENY 55). In prior years, this was a meeting place for the New York’s Sons of Liberty (ENY 55). What fascinated me the most was that George Washington held his farewell dinner for the officers of his army (ENY 55). Here we saw what the rooms would look like for the people back then. The tour guided mentioned that the men dominated the building as to that the women were not aloud to be there most of the time. It was the “man cave” back then. Couple could rent out rooms for dinner but the women would leave and the men would stay gathered smoking, drinking, gambling, and talking.
Before we headed to our lunch spot we stopped at the Charging Bull where several people rubbed the testicles, I guess for good luck? Kind of how we stopped at Columbia and rubbed the owl…kind of. Well anyway, then we walked over to Hudson Eats in Battery Park. Once you walk upstairs into the building you have a large food court (not like Roosevelt Field Mall). I was actually amazed at how clean and well kept the food court. Typically, I am very against and grossed out by these types of food areas but I was comfortable. I took a look around and there were so many options perfect balance of everything. I ordered from Dos Tacos a Mexican little restaurant, which was excellent and very reasonably priced.
After lunch, we headed towards the 9/11 memorial which was a first time for me since the tragedy. I could not explain to you how I felt exactly because my emotions were all over the place. First I was excited to finally be able to see this amazing reconstruction done after such a drastic event because to me it represents how strong us New Yorkers really are. Then when I came close I was just amazed at how beautiful it all looked and how everyone was crowded around looking and just staring at it. I then began to feel sad about how this all happened and why and where would we be and what would be of the World if this never happened? Those thoughts crossed my mind a lot but I tried to just embrace the beautiful work while remembering all those who have lost their lives.
After the memorial we walked across the street to the St. Paul’s Chapel where I learned that amid what occurred on September 11th, the church remained. Through the buildings fallings and all the damage that the crash of the two buildings did to the city. Then after walking through the church we walked over to the Tweed Courthouse which is beautiful and the surroundings as well. This is where we ended our class today and all over our Saturday morning classes!
9. NYC or No? My new view on NYC:
Okay so I feel like we just had our first class where Mike warned us that October 18th would come much quicker than how far it actually seemed on September 6th. Boy was he right, we even had to use the rain date and it went quick! Even though I will enjoy sleeping in on Saturday mornings again after a long week, I can no longer look forward to new experiences and lessons of NYC.
I definitely have a TOTALLY altered view of looking at the New York City. I can’t say I’m 100 percent comfortable with my way around and the subway system still but I feel comfortable enough to figure it out. If I did not take this class I would probably never even think about using the subway system, I would taxi cab it just like a typical long islander.
I never thought in a million years that NYC had so much history and the architecture is so beautiful. At times when one goes into the city we are usually on a mission or going somewhere that we don’t take time to stop and appreciate how truly beautiful the city is without even having anywhere to go. I think people should just take trips into the city and walk around and realize how beautiful it is buildings, parks, statues, bridges, and so much!
Before this class I was like I am NOT a city girl at all I will never work there or live there or anything to do with it. Now, personally I would prefer not to work there only because I could not imagine the rush hour of Monday through Friday crowds of the subways and city streets. But, I would possibly live there just for the experience. I definitely will be making my way into the city much more now thanks to this class for more than just shopping, restaurants, and night life. I want to just go and appreciate the beauty and scenery!
Okay so I feel like we just had our first class where Mike warned us that October 18th would come much quicker than how far it actually seemed on September 6th. Boy was he right, we even had to use the rain date and it went quick! Even though I will enjoy sleeping in on Saturday mornings again after a long week, I can no longer look forward to new experiences and lessons of NYC.
I definitely have a TOTALLY altered view of looking at the New York City. I can’t say I’m 100 percent comfortable with my way around and the subway system still but I feel comfortable enough to figure it out. If I did not take this class I would probably never even think about using the subway system, I would taxi cab it just like a typical long islander.
I never thought in a million years that NYC had so much history and the architecture is so beautiful. At times when one goes into the city we are usually on a mission or going somewhere that we don’t take time to stop and appreciate how truly beautiful the city is without even having anywhere to go. I think people should just take trips into the city and walk around and realize how beautiful it is buildings, parks, statues, bridges, and so much!
Before this class I was like I am NOT a city girl at all I will never work there or live there or anything to do with it. Now, personally I would prefer not to work there only because I could not imagine the rush hour of Monday through Friday crowds of the subways and city streets. But, I would possibly live there just for the experience. I definitely will be making my way into the city much more now thanks to this class for more than just shopping, restaurants, and night life. I want to just go and appreciate the beauty and scenery!