Journals 5 - 9
5. El Barrio & Central PArk
Another day in the city is upon us and today is the day for the famous Central Park and El Barrrio otherwise known as the Spanish Harlem. The morning discussion topic among us today was about the LIRR strike that was upon us and how we would be able to get into the city or if we would have to cancel class. A few options were given to us by Mike and Damien but in the end the strike never happened so we were safe.
We walked toward the subway once again and hopped on the 1 train to Times Square and there we took the shuttle to Grand Central and one more, the six train to 103 street. That is where we were met with Spanish Harlem for the first time. Mike and Damien gave the class some information on this area before starting the adventure for the day. Lots of immigrants came to live in this area back in the day and most of them came with very little money. “The poverty of these new immigrants and the building of large housing projects that concentrated crime led to East Harlem becoming one of the most dangerous sections of New York City during the 1960s and 70s” (ENY, pg. 76). Today this area has done a complete 160 change and its much better than it use to be and it is an amazing sight to see!
Here comes the first stop of the day.... The Carver Houses. We were told that these were known as a housing project with people who have little money and just need a place to stay. These housing projects were named after an African-American scientist George Washington Carver (ENY, pg. 76). Seeing these houses really opened by eyes to how differently people live around here and how you would never see this on Long Island. All the people living here formed their own social life and become family. Next stop Museum of the City of New York! "This museum has changing exhibitions focused on the history of New York City, "especially its heritage of diversity, opportunity and personal transformation." (ENY, pg 77) Upon entering the museum I was wowed by the amazing light fixture that greeted me. It was string of lights hanging from the celling that was a sight to see! After exploring the first floor gallery of many cool and interesting pieces of art and pictures we headed upstairs and watched a documentary called "Timescapes". This was all about the background history of New York and how it all began and it was very interesting to see. It was nice to sit and get a break before all the walking in the heat started up again.
NEXT STOP EL MUSEO DEL BARRIO! "El Museo del Barrio (1230 Fifth Avenue at 104th Street) which is an excellent place to begin your exploration of East Harlem." (ENY, pg 77) That is exactly what we did! This is where we met our amazing tour guide Luke. I knew from the start Luke was not going to be a typical, boring tour guide. He began the tour by all of us standing in a circle and introducing ourselves and said how we were feeling at that moment. It was nice he wanted to get to know us a little more before showing us East Harlem. He then shared a great poem he had wrote about a girl traveling on the D train and it was one that will be stuck in my head forever. The walking tour began and he brought us to a cute little book store called La Casa Azul Bookstore and the founder of La Casa Azul Bookstore, Aurora-Anaya-Cerda started an online campaign raising $40,000, since the bank refused to give her a loan to start up her business. It was amazing to see how well her business is and how she basically started it from nothing.
NEXT STOP.... the mural that was dedicated to Rev. Pedro Pietri. Pietri was born in Puerto Rico and was a lifelong resident of El Barrio, a community activist, and the founder of the Nuyorican Poets Café (ENY, pg. 77). Here Luke read us a poem and it was off to the “Spirit of East Harlem” mural that took up the whole side of a building. Designed in 1978, by Hank Prussing, “the mural captures the Latin influences on the street life in East Harlem in the 1970s” (ENY, pg. 77). I really liked this mural because it showed how many people live in East Harlem and that not everyone is the same but they are living together as one. We also took a nice stroll through a garden, "We walked down the block entering the Modesto “Tin” Flores Garden which is ran in collaboration with Hope Community and GrowNYC (ENY, pg. 77)." It was a beautiful sight to see. Everyone was about ready to grab some lunch at this point but first we had to stop at Justo Botanica. To me this place seemed like a witch craft store and creeped me out a little bit to be honest. Off to El Paso for some Mexican food since we all walked up an appetite! Here I had some chicken tacos and had some time to relax and have some fun. Now it was off to my favorite place Central Park! Mike talked about the history of the Vanderbilt Gate before we entered the Conservatory Gardens, which is where we all met after some lunch. This gate was made in Paris in 1894 and previously stood at the Vanderbilt Mansion on Fifth Avenue and 58th Street (ENY, pg. 65). This was my first time entering the park from this entrance. We were able to explore the entire park and got a chance to all sit on the rocks with a view and Mike and Damien held a class here. The class also decided to walk through Ramble’s winding paths to Strawberry Fields which is dedicated to the former Beatle, John Lennon. This is another part of the park that was new to me! After viewing the fountain and a few more monuments this long day was over and some of us decided to venture park to Penn Station on foot. I was able to make the 8:08 train and get a seat which was great because I was tired!
We walked toward the subway once again and hopped on the 1 train to Times Square and there we took the shuttle to Grand Central and one more, the six train to 103 street. That is where we were met with Spanish Harlem for the first time. Mike and Damien gave the class some information on this area before starting the adventure for the day. Lots of immigrants came to live in this area back in the day and most of them came with very little money. “The poverty of these new immigrants and the building of large housing projects that concentrated crime led to East Harlem becoming one of the most dangerous sections of New York City during the 1960s and 70s” (ENY, pg. 76). Today this area has done a complete 160 change and its much better than it use to be and it is an amazing sight to see!
Here comes the first stop of the day.... The Carver Houses. We were told that these were known as a housing project with people who have little money and just need a place to stay. These housing projects were named after an African-American scientist George Washington Carver (ENY, pg. 76). Seeing these houses really opened by eyes to how differently people live around here and how you would never see this on Long Island. All the people living here formed their own social life and become family. Next stop Museum of the City of New York! "This museum has changing exhibitions focused on the history of New York City, "especially its heritage of diversity, opportunity and personal transformation." (ENY, pg 77) Upon entering the museum I was wowed by the amazing light fixture that greeted me. It was string of lights hanging from the celling that was a sight to see! After exploring the first floor gallery of many cool and interesting pieces of art and pictures we headed upstairs and watched a documentary called "Timescapes". This was all about the background history of New York and how it all began and it was very interesting to see. It was nice to sit and get a break before all the walking in the heat started up again.
NEXT STOP EL MUSEO DEL BARRIO! "El Museo del Barrio (1230 Fifth Avenue at 104th Street) which is an excellent place to begin your exploration of East Harlem." (ENY, pg 77) That is exactly what we did! This is where we met our amazing tour guide Luke. I knew from the start Luke was not going to be a typical, boring tour guide. He began the tour by all of us standing in a circle and introducing ourselves and said how we were feeling at that moment. It was nice he wanted to get to know us a little more before showing us East Harlem. He then shared a great poem he had wrote about a girl traveling on the D train and it was one that will be stuck in my head forever. The walking tour began and he brought us to a cute little book store called La Casa Azul Bookstore and the founder of La Casa Azul Bookstore, Aurora-Anaya-Cerda started an online campaign raising $40,000, since the bank refused to give her a loan to start up her business. It was amazing to see how well her business is and how she basically started it from nothing.
NEXT STOP.... the mural that was dedicated to Rev. Pedro Pietri. Pietri was born in Puerto Rico and was a lifelong resident of El Barrio, a community activist, and the founder of the Nuyorican Poets Café (ENY, pg. 77). Here Luke read us a poem and it was off to the “Spirit of East Harlem” mural that took up the whole side of a building. Designed in 1978, by Hank Prussing, “the mural captures the Latin influences on the street life in East Harlem in the 1970s” (ENY, pg. 77). I really liked this mural because it showed how many people live in East Harlem and that not everyone is the same but they are living together as one. We also took a nice stroll through a garden, "We walked down the block entering the Modesto “Tin” Flores Garden which is ran in collaboration with Hope Community and GrowNYC (ENY, pg. 77)." It was a beautiful sight to see. Everyone was about ready to grab some lunch at this point but first we had to stop at Justo Botanica. To me this place seemed like a witch craft store and creeped me out a little bit to be honest. Off to El Paso for some Mexican food since we all walked up an appetite! Here I had some chicken tacos and had some time to relax and have some fun. Now it was off to my favorite place Central Park! Mike talked about the history of the Vanderbilt Gate before we entered the Conservatory Gardens, which is where we all met after some lunch. This gate was made in Paris in 1894 and previously stood at the Vanderbilt Mansion on Fifth Avenue and 58th Street (ENY, pg. 65). This was my first time entering the park from this entrance. We were able to explore the entire park and got a chance to all sit on the rocks with a view and Mike and Damien held a class here. The class also decided to walk through Ramble’s winding paths to Strawberry Fields which is dedicated to the former Beatle, John Lennon. This is another part of the park that was new to me! After viewing the fountain and a few more monuments this long day was over and some of us decided to venture park to Penn Station on foot. I was able to make the 8:08 train and get a seat which was great because I was tired!
6. West side
So the strike did not have to happen which was great news for everyone! I was met with the busy Penn Station once again and was ready to start the adventure to Midtown and travel back to Harlem. Mike and Damien led us out by the Macy's Department store, Macy’s occupies the entire block between Broadway and 7th Avenue and is the largest department store in the United States (ENY, pg. 31). Until today I never really noticed all the detail and amazing building structure that Macys has to offer to the public! Next stop... Herald Square. Herald’s Square, which received its name from the New York Herald (actually a triangle) that is formed by the intersection of Broadway, Sixth Avenue, and 34th Street (ENY, pg. 32). While traveling along here Mike gave us information on the style of the buildings and lots of them were said to be Art Deco because his prime time was in the 1930s when these were all being built.
Before Times Square was developed into what it is today, it was a farm under John Morin Scott, a general who served under George Washington during the American Revolution. It was then that it received its name, the Long Acre Square (ENY, pg. 33). Times Square is one of the busiest places in the world with people from all different ethnicity all traveling here to see New York. Times Square is another favorite place of mine because it is always busy and there is always something to do and see! Times Square was filled with topless bars, sex shops, pornographic theaters, drug dealers, prostitutes, and criminals (ENY, pg. 34). Today Times Square is no longer like that thankfully and it has cleaned itself up to some extent.
The G.E. Building which is a part of the Rockefeller Center Complex also known as 30 Rock (ENY, pg. 34). I have passed this building many times on my travels in the city but have never been inside of it. It is a very formal building with lots of professional look a like people walking around. NBC plays a major role here along with the Art Deco style and the beautiful murals on the wall that Mike pointed out to us. The theme of these murals is “man’s search for eternal truth through Christ’s teachings” (ENY, pg. 36). I found these murals very interesting and everyone has their own view of what is trying to be portrayed in it. A very quick 10 minute break was given to us after this to do some of our own exploring or to use the bathroom. I decided to just wait outside for everyone and study the people around me who were enjoying lunch on the patio or maybe just taking a quick break from work all in their business attire. I really liked it here and plan to come back to have lunch on the patio and to enjoy the view!
Museum of Modern Art is next!! Another first for me and i was excited to see what it had to offer. We waited outside of the Museum while Damien gave us some background information and we had to wait for a view people who got left behind. Mike handed out the tickets since they charge for admission even if you are with a school and off we went! We traveled up the stairs eager to see what art was awaiting us! I have taken a modern art class at Molloy so I was familiar with some of the art that Mike and Damien were having us view. Art is something that is universal because each person that looks at it can see it differently or have their own opinion on it. After seeing many different art pieces everyone decided it was time for some lunch so we headed off to Hells Kitchen where we enjoyed some Thai food at Yum Yum. Here we enjoyed a nice 3 course meal!
After a filling lunch it was off to Morning Side Heights where we would meet our tour guide Jim. Morningside Heights, which was originally called Vandewater’s Heights, was the site of the Bloomingdale Insane Asylum in 1816 but Columbia University occupies this land now. This area was known for the Battle of Harlem Heights during the American Revolution and being the first victory for George Washington during the war (ENY, pg. 80). After meeting by the fountain we had the opportunity to explore the beautiful cathedral. St. John the Divine is only considered two-thirds finished, and it is projected that it would take another 100 years and more than $100 million to complete Cram’s original plan (ENY, pg. 82). I fell in love with this Cathedral and would happily come back one today to explore it in better detail. By this time of the day I was starting to get tired but in this class there is no time for that!
We went over to Columbia University, which is so beautiful it must be a great school to attend and is very difficult to get into. I was amazed at how beautiful this campus was and the more we explored it the more i saw how much detail was put into the school and how well they preserve it! I have attended a basketball game here once and even the gym was beautiful so i could only imagine what the rest of the school must look like. General Grant National Memorial. On the top of the six Doric columns read the words “Let us have peace”. These words were to be believed to be said by Grant accepting the Republican Party’s nomination for President. Its awesome to be able to say that I have visited this and to see where he is said to be buried.
LAST STOP OF THE DAY.... Morningside Park. The park runs from 110th Street to 123rd Street and is the natural dividing line between Morningside Park and Harlem (ENY, pg. 86). We were greeted with a large stair case which luckily we only had to walk down today which was great because by this time everyone was tired and ready to hop on the subway back home! We passed the Hariett Tubman statue and even saw the Apollo Theater to end the day! We all traveled together to the number 2 subway back to Penn and off to Long Island to end this long day until next time!
Before Times Square was developed into what it is today, it was a farm under John Morin Scott, a general who served under George Washington during the American Revolution. It was then that it received its name, the Long Acre Square (ENY, pg. 33). Times Square is one of the busiest places in the world with people from all different ethnicity all traveling here to see New York. Times Square is another favorite place of mine because it is always busy and there is always something to do and see! Times Square was filled with topless bars, sex shops, pornographic theaters, drug dealers, prostitutes, and criminals (ENY, pg. 34). Today Times Square is no longer like that thankfully and it has cleaned itself up to some extent.
The G.E. Building which is a part of the Rockefeller Center Complex also known as 30 Rock (ENY, pg. 34). I have passed this building many times on my travels in the city but have never been inside of it. It is a very formal building with lots of professional look a like people walking around. NBC plays a major role here along with the Art Deco style and the beautiful murals on the wall that Mike pointed out to us. The theme of these murals is “man’s search for eternal truth through Christ’s teachings” (ENY, pg. 36). I found these murals very interesting and everyone has their own view of what is trying to be portrayed in it. A very quick 10 minute break was given to us after this to do some of our own exploring or to use the bathroom. I decided to just wait outside for everyone and study the people around me who were enjoying lunch on the patio or maybe just taking a quick break from work all in their business attire. I really liked it here and plan to come back to have lunch on the patio and to enjoy the view!
Museum of Modern Art is next!! Another first for me and i was excited to see what it had to offer. We waited outside of the Museum while Damien gave us some background information and we had to wait for a view people who got left behind. Mike handed out the tickets since they charge for admission even if you are with a school and off we went! We traveled up the stairs eager to see what art was awaiting us! I have taken a modern art class at Molloy so I was familiar with some of the art that Mike and Damien were having us view. Art is something that is universal because each person that looks at it can see it differently or have their own opinion on it. After seeing many different art pieces everyone decided it was time for some lunch so we headed off to Hells Kitchen where we enjoyed some Thai food at Yum Yum. Here we enjoyed a nice 3 course meal!
After a filling lunch it was off to Morning Side Heights where we would meet our tour guide Jim. Morningside Heights, which was originally called Vandewater’s Heights, was the site of the Bloomingdale Insane Asylum in 1816 but Columbia University occupies this land now. This area was known for the Battle of Harlem Heights during the American Revolution and being the first victory for George Washington during the war (ENY, pg. 80). After meeting by the fountain we had the opportunity to explore the beautiful cathedral. St. John the Divine is only considered two-thirds finished, and it is projected that it would take another 100 years and more than $100 million to complete Cram’s original plan (ENY, pg. 82). I fell in love with this Cathedral and would happily come back one today to explore it in better detail. By this time of the day I was starting to get tired but in this class there is no time for that!
We went over to Columbia University, which is so beautiful it must be a great school to attend and is very difficult to get into. I was amazed at how beautiful this campus was and the more we explored it the more i saw how much detail was put into the school and how well they preserve it! I have attended a basketball game here once and even the gym was beautiful so i could only imagine what the rest of the school must look like. General Grant National Memorial. On the top of the six Doric columns read the words “Let us have peace”. These words were to be believed to be said by Grant accepting the Republican Party’s nomination for President. Its awesome to be able to say that I have visited this and to see where he is said to be buried.
LAST STOP OF THE DAY.... Morningside Park. The park runs from 110th Street to 123rd Street and is the natural dividing line between Morningside Park and Harlem (ENY, pg. 86). We were greeted with a large stair case which luckily we only had to walk down today which was great because by this time everyone was tired and ready to hop on the subway back home! We passed the Hariett Tubman statue and even saw the Apollo Theater to end the day! We all traveled together to the number 2 subway back to Penn and off to Long Island to end this long day until next time!
7. Lower ManhattAN
THIS IS THE LAST WEDNESDAY CLASS! This was a bitter sweet feeling for me because I've been enjoying traveling around the city each week and learning new things. Today we are going to explore Lower Manhattan and visit the Freedom Towers and I'm especially excited because it will be by first time visiting Governors Island! Time to hit the subway once again, good thing I refilled my card last class! We took the E train and stayed on till we reached the World Trade Center station! Here we walked out to the street and were met with St. Paul's Chapel which is said to have survived the 9/11 attack which was a pure miracle. St. Paul’s Church is the oldest surviving church in Manhattan as well as the oldest building in continuous use in New York City (ENY, PDF, pg. 46). The inside of the church was beautiful and we were told to look at.... the amazing handcrafted woodwork, the gilded ornamental decoration, and most importantly George Washington’s pew. You can also see that this church serves a double role as a memorial for the 9/11 victims and people would use this church as a shelter for when they were cleaning up the area and would sleep here and get food.
NEXT STOP.... Woolworth Building or sometimes known as the Cathedral of Commerce. This building fell short of being the tallest building behind the Eiffel Tower and was the tallest building in New York City for 17 years until the Chrysler Building was finished in 1930 (ENY, PDF, pg. 46). But it is still an amazing sight to see! After that we saw City Hall which Mike told us is also known as the Civic Center. We got a quick tour of the area around City Hall and were off to see the New York City's Municipal Building, this is a neoclassical courthouse which was very simple but elegant and had grand staircase with four Corinthian columns and a flat stone pediment. But sadly hen the famous political cartoonist Thomas Nast, publicized these activities that Boss Tweed was committing he was sentenced to jail and that was the end of that. Today it serves as the headquarters of the New York City Department of Education (ENY, PDF, pg. 46). Since I am going to be a teacher one day it was interesting to see that.
Foley Square was also on the agenda for the day and in the center of Foley Square stands a fountain that was created by Lorenzo Pace, “Triumph of the Human Spirit” (ENY, PDDF, pg. 43).It was a beautiful fountain and nice place for people to all gather. We thought it would be nice to try and spell out Molloy on the steps of the courthouse but it didn't really come out like we had wanted it too but it was a good effort by all! Some many court cases have been decided here and is part of a major part of history and I can say I have been here.
We are the lucky class that now gets to see the African Burial Ground National Monument and Museum. The African Americans were outraged by this new construction site that was being developed on their original burial site. In 2007, a memorial opened to highlight the important role that African slaves played in the development of New York City (ENY, PDF, pg. 44). This museum is so great and important that each student had to go through security like in an airport just to secure the museum. We then were directed by Mike and Damien to enter the theater to watch a short film on the burial ritual of the Africans and why it is so important. I found this museum very informative and interesting and its sad to think how these important people were buried with such sadness but luckily they fought to keep them preserved. After that we got to visit the 9/11 Memorial which i have been to before. It is a sad sight to see all the names of the victims of this awful attack but they made it a beautiful place to come and visit. They even had the tree that protected the church from getting ruined for everyone to see. Now it was time for lunch! The class ate lunch at Hudson Eats located in Battery City Park. This was a much calmer place than Chelsea Market and had better choices. I went with a simple chopped salad and everyone else got pizza.
Before it was time for Governors Island we went to see Trinity Church, the 284 foot tall spire of this church was the tallest building in NY until the towers of the Brooklyn Bridge were completed (ENY, PDF, pg. 50). Another beautiful church to visit with amazing details. We also saw the graveyard where two famous Manhattan-ites were buried Robert Fulton, inventor of the steamboat, and Alexander Hamilton, the nation’s first Secretary of the Treasury (ENY, PDF, pg. 50). FINAL STOP GOVERNORS ISLAND!
We each paid the $2 feel which got us a round trip ride on the ferry which was only about a 5 minute ride. We got a tour of some of the island by Mike and Damien. We even got to see the fort and go inside of the castle on a guided tour which was extremely hot due to the fact that their was no air! But after that we were free to explore on our own and some of us ventured off to go relax on hammock row. It was so relaxing to lay in the hammock after a long day and i wished we had more time but we had to catch the last ferry out of there at 6!
Luckily we all made the ferry and once we arrived back on the land we all took the subway straight to penn and off we went!
NEXT STOP.... Woolworth Building or sometimes known as the Cathedral of Commerce. This building fell short of being the tallest building behind the Eiffel Tower and was the tallest building in New York City for 17 years until the Chrysler Building was finished in 1930 (ENY, PDF, pg. 46). But it is still an amazing sight to see! After that we saw City Hall which Mike told us is also known as the Civic Center. We got a quick tour of the area around City Hall and were off to see the New York City's Municipal Building, this is a neoclassical courthouse which was very simple but elegant and had grand staircase with four Corinthian columns and a flat stone pediment. But sadly hen the famous political cartoonist Thomas Nast, publicized these activities that Boss Tweed was committing he was sentenced to jail and that was the end of that. Today it serves as the headquarters of the New York City Department of Education (ENY, PDF, pg. 46). Since I am going to be a teacher one day it was interesting to see that.
Foley Square was also on the agenda for the day and in the center of Foley Square stands a fountain that was created by Lorenzo Pace, “Triumph of the Human Spirit” (ENY, PDDF, pg. 43).It was a beautiful fountain and nice place for people to all gather. We thought it would be nice to try and spell out Molloy on the steps of the courthouse but it didn't really come out like we had wanted it too but it was a good effort by all! Some many court cases have been decided here and is part of a major part of history and I can say I have been here.
We are the lucky class that now gets to see the African Burial Ground National Monument and Museum. The African Americans were outraged by this new construction site that was being developed on their original burial site. In 2007, a memorial opened to highlight the important role that African slaves played in the development of New York City (ENY, PDF, pg. 44). This museum is so great and important that each student had to go through security like in an airport just to secure the museum. We then were directed by Mike and Damien to enter the theater to watch a short film on the burial ritual of the Africans and why it is so important. I found this museum very informative and interesting and its sad to think how these important people were buried with such sadness but luckily they fought to keep them preserved. After that we got to visit the 9/11 Memorial which i have been to before. It is a sad sight to see all the names of the victims of this awful attack but they made it a beautiful place to come and visit. They even had the tree that protected the church from getting ruined for everyone to see. Now it was time for lunch! The class ate lunch at Hudson Eats located in Battery City Park. This was a much calmer place than Chelsea Market and had better choices. I went with a simple chopped salad and everyone else got pizza.
Before it was time for Governors Island we went to see Trinity Church, the 284 foot tall spire of this church was the tallest building in NY until the towers of the Brooklyn Bridge were completed (ENY, PDF, pg. 50). Another beautiful church to visit with amazing details. We also saw the graveyard where two famous Manhattan-ites were buried Robert Fulton, inventor of the steamboat, and Alexander Hamilton, the nation’s first Secretary of the Treasury (ENY, PDF, pg. 50). FINAL STOP GOVERNORS ISLAND!
We each paid the $2 feel which got us a round trip ride on the ferry which was only about a 5 minute ride. We got a tour of some of the island by Mike and Damien. We even got to see the fort and go inside of the castle on a guided tour which was extremely hot due to the fact that their was no air! But after that we were free to explore on our own and some of us ventured off to go relax on hammock row. It was so relaxing to lay in the hammock after a long day and i wished we had more time but we had to catch the last ferry out of there at 6!
Luckily we all made the ferry and once we arrived back on the land we all took the subway straight to penn and off we went!
8. IMMIGRANT NEW YORK
Well here we are again, all arriving in Penn Station but today is sadly the last day of this ritual! Mike and Damien said this would be a short class since we stayed extra last week anticipating the strike. For this last class we will be exploring the Lower East Side, also known as the Jewish Lower East Side. We had to travel outside of Penn Station to catch the F train which would take us to Delaney Street. This neighbored was once home to many immigrants and is what it is so famous for. In the 1880s, Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe migrated to this neighborhood that really gave its character (ENY, PDF, pg. 65). The Jewish immigrants who lived on the Lower East Side “tended to form enclaves with those from their same country of origin, creating clusters of different Jewish communities throughout the Lower East Side where languages, customs, and traditions could be quite different from one block to the next” (ENY, PDF, pg. 65).
After Mike and Damien gave us a little more information on the area and how it came to be today it was off for some famous Bialys at Kossar's. The class all ordered their own Bialys or for those who were not so adventurous bagels were also offered, with cream cheese and butter on the side. After everything was ordered we walked around the block to a park where everyone could sit in the shade and enjoy their breakfast before the tour guide Jim joined us again.
Once everyone was filled up on Bialys and bagels it was off for a 2 hour tour with Jim and Damien. We left the park and came to the Bialystoker Synagogue, the synagogue was founded in 1865 by Jews who came from the town of Bialystock in Poland (ENY, PDF, pg. 68). After looking at the structure and detail of the building we were off to the Henry Street Settlement, which was founded by Lillian Ward. Another synagogue we had the chance to see was the Eldridge Street one. It was designed by Peter and Francis Herter and displays Gothic and Moorish influences.
We got the chance to explore all over China Town and it was my first done going into the heart of China Town by the parks and different churches and synagogues. For some reason I felt that every street that we traveled down had a weird odor and was very dirty looking. The street were nothing like Long Island, they were extremely crowded and very narrow. You wouldn't think that Chinatown had so much more to offer other than buying cheap things off the street.
After we had walked around for 2 hours it was time to enjoy our last lunch together at Congee Village Chinese food, which was all you can eat. I wasn't sure what can of restaurant to expect to enter since we were in China town but to my surprise it was a very nice place and large tables were set up for us with a lazy susan on the table so that all of the food could be shared and passed around. At lunch we all wrote down how we felt about the class and the things we should keep or the ones to be taken out. After everyone filled up on the authentic Chinese food it was time to say our goodbyes! It was sad to say goodbye since i met amazing people and created memories with everyone. Some of us traveled back to Penn Station where it was time to take the train home for one last time!
After Mike and Damien gave us a little more information on the area and how it came to be today it was off for some famous Bialys at Kossar's. The class all ordered their own Bialys or for those who were not so adventurous bagels were also offered, with cream cheese and butter on the side. After everything was ordered we walked around the block to a park where everyone could sit in the shade and enjoy their breakfast before the tour guide Jim joined us again.
Once everyone was filled up on Bialys and bagels it was off for a 2 hour tour with Jim and Damien. We left the park and came to the Bialystoker Synagogue, the synagogue was founded in 1865 by Jews who came from the town of Bialystock in Poland (ENY, PDF, pg. 68). After looking at the structure and detail of the building we were off to the Henry Street Settlement, which was founded by Lillian Ward. Another synagogue we had the chance to see was the Eldridge Street one. It was designed by Peter and Francis Herter and displays Gothic and Moorish influences.
We got the chance to explore all over China Town and it was my first done going into the heart of China Town by the parks and different churches and synagogues. For some reason I felt that every street that we traveled down had a weird odor and was very dirty looking. The street were nothing like Long Island, they were extremely crowded and very narrow. You wouldn't think that Chinatown had so much more to offer other than buying cheap things off the street.
After we had walked around for 2 hours it was time to enjoy our last lunch together at Congee Village Chinese food, which was all you can eat. I wasn't sure what can of restaurant to expect to enter since we were in China town but to my surprise it was a very nice place and large tables were set up for us with a lazy susan on the table so that all of the food could be shared and passed around. At lunch we all wrote down how we felt about the class and the things we should keep or the ones to be taken out. After everyone filled up on the authentic Chinese food it was time to say our goodbyes! It was sad to say goodbye since i met amazing people and created memories with everyone. Some of us traveled back to Penn Station where it was time to take the train home for one last time!
9. Overall experience
There are so many great things I could say about this CORE class that took place in New York City. This was my first summer class that I have ever taken at Molloy and it couldn't have been better! At first I was not sure what to expect because I am someone that enjoys my sleep and also having to be up to make a train each morning was something that made me worry. I am said to be someone who can be fashionably late but you could not be for this class, since 11 was the start time no later or else you would be left behind.
After the first week of this class I knew that waking up for the city on Wednesday and Fridays would become my favorite thing. I took the same train each week and was never late which actually surprised me. I love every part of the city and was so happy to get a deeper look inside of it. I was also nervous for starting this class and not knowing anyone because I am such a shy person, but i was able to meet so many great people which made my experience even greater. I was able to see so many historical monuments and museums that I never even knew existed. I am living in such an amazing city that has so much to offer and I need to take advantage of it. People always talk about how much the NYC has to offer but I really didn’t realize the magnitude of culture and history NYC had until taking this course. I hope to one day be able to live in the city and be able to take advantage of all the great places and sites to visit, some are even free!
Before taking this class I was horrible with direction in the city and would always be getting lost when I would have to travel alone. I was able to take the subway so many times that I feel that I am now an expert at it! I can figure how which one I need to go uptown and downtown or to get to a certain street. I was also able to figure out which subway I would need to take back to Penn towards the end without Mike or Damien telling me!
I would have to say that my favorite places that we visited in this class had to be Coney Island, the Brooklyn Bridge and Museum of the Moving Image. All of these places were a first for me and I plan to go back to Coney Island before the summer is over to be able to explore it more and now I know exactly how to get there from Penn Station.
Taking this class was a total experience I was not expecting to have. To not have to spend each beautiful day of the summer in July in a crowded classroom was amazing. This class was completely hands on and I wish I could take all my classes like this. You get to have a great time while learning and having new experiences. You also get to have a closer connection with your classmates and professors, which you don't normally see in a regular class. I highly suggest everyone takes this class to be able to have this ultimate city experience.
After the first week of this class I knew that waking up for the city on Wednesday and Fridays would become my favorite thing. I took the same train each week and was never late which actually surprised me. I love every part of the city and was so happy to get a deeper look inside of it. I was also nervous for starting this class and not knowing anyone because I am such a shy person, but i was able to meet so many great people which made my experience even greater. I was able to see so many historical monuments and museums that I never even knew existed. I am living in such an amazing city that has so much to offer and I need to take advantage of it. People always talk about how much the NYC has to offer but I really didn’t realize the magnitude of culture and history NYC had until taking this course. I hope to one day be able to live in the city and be able to take advantage of all the great places and sites to visit, some are even free!
Before taking this class I was horrible with direction in the city and would always be getting lost when I would have to travel alone. I was able to take the subway so many times that I feel that I am now an expert at it! I can figure how which one I need to go uptown and downtown or to get to a certain street. I was also able to figure out which subway I would need to take back to Penn towards the end without Mike or Damien telling me!
I would have to say that my favorite places that we visited in this class had to be Coney Island, the Brooklyn Bridge and Museum of the Moving Image. All of these places were a first for me and I plan to go back to Coney Island before the summer is over to be able to explore it more and now I know exactly how to get there from Penn Station.
Taking this class was a total experience I was not expecting to have. To not have to spend each beautiful day of the summer in July in a crowded classroom was amazing. This class was completely hands on and I wish I could take all my classes like this. You get to have a great time while learning and having new experiences. You also get to have a closer connection with your classmates and professors, which you don't normally see in a regular class. I highly suggest everyone takes this class to be able to have this ultimate city experience.