Journal One
Impression of New York
when thinking of New York City, I think of it as the city of dream and light. New York City has been known by the most lively city in the earth. I love going to the city and exploring but unfortunately because of my busy schedule, i can hardly go to the city probably once a year. when i first arrived to New York back in 1999, i remember it was the month of January and was snowing. My father said we will just drive by the city so you guys can get the glance of the night live of the city. I was so exhausted but once we entered the city my eyes just opened, i saw all the light and rush of the people even though that it was snowing and freezing cold it didn't matter to the New Yorker's. You would see people's face's smiling and enjoying night live of the city. As we got close to the time square, I asked my father to stop the car i have to get down and walk around the time square which was one of my dreams from childhood to visit time square since i had seen it in the movies. I was so happy that made me forget about how exhausted i was from being in plane for 26 hours. My other amazement came from Brooklyn Bridge which also wanted to visit. I love New York city but as i said earlier that i haven't had time to really get to know the city, that's why i am so excited by taking this class to experience New York City more and enjoy my Friday's by just being in the city. I am looking forward for this class to start so i can get to know more about New York City.
Quixotic Queens
On Friday September the 6th, I made sure to wake up earlier than usual so i can be in Penn station on time. I and my other classmate Cini Pallai traveled together to the Penn station and we arrived at 10:00 am to the Penn station. Our first stop was at the Chrysler Building located on east side of Manhattan in the Turtle Bay area at the interaction of 42nd street and Lexington ave. The architecture that the building was designed is called Art Deco style. The Chrysler building was the tallest building in New York city for 11 months in 1931. Our second stop was at Bryant Park which is directly behind the library, named after William Cullen Bryant who was the editor, writer, abolitionist, and proponent of such project as Central Park and the Metropolitian Museum of Art ( Blue Book, p.209). Than we visited The New York Public Library stands on the west side of Fifth Avenue between 40th and 42nd streets. The library building style is called Noe Classical which is taken from Greek word. The library mounts exceptional exhibitions on literary, artists, and historical subjects in Gottesman Hall on the ground floor, and upstairs in smaller galleries ( Blue Book P. 207).
Our next trip was Grand Central Terminal which is a rail terminal station at 42nd street and park ave. It is the largest train station in the world by number of platforms. Grand central remains one of the world's great railroad stations, and enduring symbol of the city ( Blue book P.228). In 1940, 40% of Americans were passing through the Grand Central Terminal and in 1950 it declined due to the car usage. This year it is the 100 anniversary of the Grand central Terminal and as soon as i walked in to the terminal my eyes captured by the window on the right hand side that had 100 written on it. It was so beautiful inside that amazed me, i wanted to stay longer and look at the art inside the terminal but unfortunately we were behind the schedule and had to go to our next stop.
For the next stop which was Roosevelt Island we had to take the tram which spans the east river and connects Roosevelt Island to the Manhattan. It climbs the east river as it follows its route on the north side of the Ed Koch, Queensboro Bridge, you can see an amazing view of the east side midtown Manhattan. This was the high light of my day, i just loved it and i was surprised that i had never been to the tram and Roosevelt Island, the view was amazing. The tram was created in 1971. the Indians were the first that use to live in Roosevelt Island and than the Hutch took over the Indians. Than we visited four Freedoms park which is located at the southernmost point of Roosevelt Island. It was designed by the architect named Louis Kahn. President Roosevelt made his four speech to the Untied State Congress in 1941. Four freedoms park opened in 2012 to the public. As we were walking in the Roosevelt Island we saw the Hospital named Coler Goldwater, in 1935 the hospital was a prison than they moved the prisoners to the Rivers Island. we also came across another hospital and the building didn't seem stable they had metal frame around the building trying to keep the history. This hospital was created by James Renrick to treat small pox. this was also the first nursing school in the United State and i was so amazed to see the first nursing school of the state. Next we were off for lunch, traditional Indian food in Jackson Height. Jackson Height were predominantly made up of Indians, Pakistani and other different type of cultures.
Our next trip was to the museum of moving images in Astoria, Queens. Astoria was mainly Greek neighborhood in the 1980's. During the 1990's, they accounted for less than half of it's population. Other ethnic groups from the Caribbean, South America, and other countries also settled in the area . Gentrification occurred and therefore people moved and prices went up. People started to move because they could no longer afford it. The museum of moving images which consisted of different movies from 80's until recent films. It was very fascinating to see that movies that i watched as a child and young adult were filmed, or the recreation of the costumes are being stored at this one location As we headed down steinway st, Astoria, we came across New York City's only museum dedicated to the art, history, technology, and techniques involved in making films. The Museum of Moving Images was unlike any museums that i have ever been to. This museum was the true "Hollywood" back in 1920's, it was a major institution for film productions.
Our first stop in the museum was the 3rd floor, it showed how movies started out with the zoetrope, thaumatrope, and the phenakistoscope. Then went on to the different techniques used to make sounds effects then it was on to seeing some of the first cameras and television, and how they have advanced over the years. I also saw pieces from different movies such as, The Mask, The Exorcist, Men in Blacks and my all time favorite Star Wars along with others. Overall it was a beautiful site, not your typical museum.
Our last stop of the day was Long Island City. As we arrived in LIC, our first site viewing was MoMa, PS1, Guggenheim, and the Coca-Cola sign that i always wondered where it was located PS1 is the oldest school and largest contemporary art institution in the United States. We didn't actually get to go inside nor see much. I became fascinated when we made our way to until we made our way to 5Pointz. The institute of Higher Burning. The Institute is an outdoor exhibit where graffiti art and display their works. I think this is an amazing idea because as we all know graffiti is not allowed to do on the street and if someone is caught he or she will be arrested and may have to pay some kind of fine. Having a place where one can go and express his or herself without freely is incredible but unfortunately the building is there only for few more months . As the day was coming to an end, we walked over to Gantry Plaza State Park where we got together and reflect about the day. I was very fascinated for this opportunely and learning so much about the borough of Queens and cannot wait until next Friday to visit Coney Island.
Our next trip was Grand Central Terminal which is a rail terminal station at 42nd street and park ave. It is the largest train station in the world by number of platforms. Grand central remains one of the world's great railroad stations, and enduring symbol of the city ( Blue book P.228). In 1940, 40% of Americans were passing through the Grand Central Terminal and in 1950 it declined due to the car usage. This year it is the 100 anniversary of the Grand central Terminal and as soon as i walked in to the terminal my eyes captured by the window on the right hand side that had 100 written on it. It was so beautiful inside that amazed me, i wanted to stay longer and look at the art inside the terminal but unfortunately we were behind the schedule and had to go to our next stop.
For the next stop which was Roosevelt Island we had to take the tram which spans the east river and connects Roosevelt Island to the Manhattan. It climbs the east river as it follows its route on the north side of the Ed Koch, Queensboro Bridge, you can see an amazing view of the east side midtown Manhattan. This was the high light of my day, i just loved it and i was surprised that i had never been to the tram and Roosevelt Island, the view was amazing. The tram was created in 1971. the Indians were the first that use to live in Roosevelt Island and than the Hutch took over the Indians. Than we visited four Freedoms park which is located at the southernmost point of Roosevelt Island. It was designed by the architect named Louis Kahn. President Roosevelt made his four speech to the Untied State Congress in 1941. Four freedoms park opened in 2012 to the public. As we were walking in the Roosevelt Island we saw the Hospital named Coler Goldwater, in 1935 the hospital was a prison than they moved the prisoners to the Rivers Island. we also came across another hospital and the building didn't seem stable they had metal frame around the building trying to keep the history. This hospital was created by James Renrick to treat small pox. this was also the first nursing school in the United State and i was so amazed to see the first nursing school of the state. Next we were off for lunch, traditional Indian food in Jackson Height. Jackson Height were predominantly made up of Indians, Pakistani and other different type of cultures.
Our next trip was to the museum of moving images in Astoria, Queens. Astoria was mainly Greek neighborhood in the 1980's. During the 1990's, they accounted for less than half of it's population. Other ethnic groups from the Caribbean, South America, and other countries also settled in the area . Gentrification occurred and therefore people moved and prices went up. People started to move because they could no longer afford it. The museum of moving images which consisted of different movies from 80's until recent films. It was very fascinating to see that movies that i watched as a child and young adult were filmed, or the recreation of the costumes are being stored at this one location As we headed down steinway st, Astoria, we came across New York City's only museum dedicated to the art, history, technology, and techniques involved in making films. The Museum of Moving Images was unlike any museums that i have ever been to. This museum was the true "Hollywood" back in 1920's, it was a major institution for film productions.
Our first stop in the museum was the 3rd floor, it showed how movies started out with the zoetrope, thaumatrope, and the phenakistoscope. Then went on to the different techniques used to make sounds effects then it was on to seeing some of the first cameras and television, and how they have advanced over the years. I also saw pieces from different movies such as, The Mask, The Exorcist, Men in Blacks and my all time favorite Star Wars along with others. Overall it was a beautiful site, not your typical museum.
Our last stop of the day was Long Island City. As we arrived in LIC, our first site viewing was MoMa, PS1, Guggenheim, and the Coca-Cola sign that i always wondered where it was located PS1 is the oldest school and largest contemporary art institution in the United States. We didn't actually get to go inside nor see much. I became fascinated when we made our way to until we made our way to 5Pointz. The institute of Higher Burning. The Institute is an outdoor exhibit where graffiti art and display their works. I think this is an amazing idea because as we all know graffiti is not allowed to do on the street and if someone is caught he or she will be arrested and may have to pay some kind of fine. Having a place where one can go and express his or herself without freely is incredible but unfortunately the building is there only for few more months . As the day was coming to an end, we walked over to Gantry Plaza State Park where we got together and reflect about the day. I was very fascinated for this opportunely and learning so much about the borough of Queens and cannot wait until next Friday to visit Coney Island.
Bodacious Brooklyn
Today started our second week of exploration which took place in the borough of Brooklyn and Coney Island . The day began with exploring Coney Island. unfortunately we didn't get to experience the rides. Although the future of the beautiful amusement park is uncertain, it survives as an archetype of American honky-tonk- the birthplace of the hot dog and home of the world’s most terrifying roller coaster (BG, 492). It was settled by the Dutch, who named it Konijn Eiland after the rabbits they found there (BG, 492) . During 1950-1970 Coney Island started to decline because Robert Moses started to build the highways and people started to merge towards Long Island Beaches. I’ve never been to Coney Island before let alone explore Brooklyn in depth. I did not know what to expect as we got but as we were walking towards the beach, i felt that this place can be very lively during night time. They had big lights around the boardwalk with restaurants and much more. As I was walking, I noticed all the people walking around enjoying the weather as if they have no care in the world or any worries. There were artists’ on the beach taking picture and also tourist soaking up the sun. We got to explore Coney Island on our own, so me and fellow classmates made our way to Nathan's to experience the famous hot dog. Then we made our way back to the boardwalk to head towards the F train for our next stop Brooklyn Heights.
Our next exploration site was the New York Transit Museum. This unused subway station was inaugurated in 1976 and is run by the Metropolitan Transit Authority. It includes exhibits on buses, bridges, tunnels, but its emphasis is on the subway (BG, 468). When we got to the museum I did not notice that I was in a museum until, I noticed that the normal rush in the subway wasn't there. We got a tour of the museum and I was amazed to find out how the subway system was constructed and how hard the workers worked even in unsafe conditions. The tour guide mentioned that the people were working under the water to build the subways and the pressure of the water was too strong but they would still manage to work and those people were called Sandhog. In 1888 they started thinking about under ground subways. London was the first country to build the underground subways in the year of 1863. After the tour, we went ahead and explored and looked at how the buses and trains were back then. Some of the trains looked better than those of today, mainly because of the comfortable seats and the humorous ads on the wall of the train. Other exhibits include fare collection devices, from an early wooden ticket chopper to a full body turnstile known as “iron maiden"(BG,468). Now the New York city transit is the largest transit system in the world.
After the museum, we then proceeded to the Brooklyn Historical Society. It was founded in 1863 as the Long Island Historical Society (BG,472). Inside the society, there is a miniature gallery, a library that was dedicated to Brooklyn history and culture where scholars can go and study more in dept. We then made our way towards Clinton St and walked to Montague St, the neighborhood's main commercial street. The street was named after Lady Mary Wortley Montague (BG,472). In the year of 1898 is the formation of five Borough and Brooklyn is known as a Borough of church and King's county. Brooklyn was once a separated city and in the year of 1898 Brooklyn became part of greater New York. Brooklyn is the 2nd largest county in the United State. The population was mostly upper middle class people. From 1820-60 Brooklyn's population nearly doubled every decade (BG, 462). After the 20th century, however Brooklyn demography also began to change as immigrants poured in from Europe and in 1930s people merged from south America towards Brooklyn, all seeking for jobs in the great manufacturing and port center that Brooklyn had become (BG, 463).
After the museum we made our way to the Brooklyn Bridge, while walking we saw one of the many tribute to the Twin Towers. As we were walking towards the bridge and looking up at all the little details everything from the cables and the structures of the bridge. I was hesitant to go on there because of my fear of heights especially bridges, that normally while driving on them I normally close my eyes. But thanks to Dr. Mike and the challenge to see who can get over the bridge faster I gave it my all, and with no regrets I would do it again. When the bridge first opened on May 25, 1883, it was the largest bridge arching 1,595 ft across the East River ( BG, 464). I was very fascinated to see that we could see the Williamsburg bridge, and parts of Manhattan. The view was so beautiful, I was in “Awe” . As we were walking and taking in the beautiful air, we stopped to take pictures and observed the other pedestrians either those walking or those riding their bicycles. Everyone should cherish the bridge as a treasure because if it was not for it and the 4,000 people who took 14 years to build it, anyone wishing to cross the East River would have to take the Fulton Ferry ( BG,464) . All in all, it was a great day and full of walking.
Our next exploration site was the New York Transit Museum. This unused subway station was inaugurated in 1976 and is run by the Metropolitan Transit Authority. It includes exhibits on buses, bridges, tunnels, but its emphasis is on the subway (BG, 468). When we got to the museum I did not notice that I was in a museum until, I noticed that the normal rush in the subway wasn't there. We got a tour of the museum and I was amazed to find out how the subway system was constructed and how hard the workers worked even in unsafe conditions. The tour guide mentioned that the people were working under the water to build the subways and the pressure of the water was too strong but they would still manage to work and those people were called Sandhog. In 1888 they started thinking about under ground subways. London was the first country to build the underground subways in the year of 1863. After the tour, we went ahead and explored and looked at how the buses and trains were back then. Some of the trains looked better than those of today, mainly because of the comfortable seats and the humorous ads on the wall of the train. Other exhibits include fare collection devices, from an early wooden ticket chopper to a full body turnstile known as “iron maiden"(BG,468). Now the New York city transit is the largest transit system in the world.
After the museum, we then proceeded to the Brooklyn Historical Society. It was founded in 1863 as the Long Island Historical Society (BG,472). Inside the society, there is a miniature gallery, a library that was dedicated to Brooklyn history and culture where scholars can go and study more in dept. We then made our way towards Clinton St and walked to Montague St, the neighborhood's main commercial street. The street was named after Lady Mary Wortley Montague (BG,472). In the year of 1898 is the formation of five Borough and Brooklyn is known as a Borough of church and King's county. Brooklyn was once a separated city and in the year of 1898 Brooklyn became part of greater New York. Brooklyn is the 2nd largest county in the United State. The population was mostly upper middle class people. From 1820-60 Brooklyn's population nearly doubled every decade (BG, 462). After the 20th century, however Brooklyn demography also began to change as immigrants poured in from Europe and in 1930s people merged from south America towards Brooklyn, all seeking for jobs in the great manufacturing and port center that Brooklyn had become (BG, 463).
After the museum we made our way to the Brooklyn Bridge, while walking we saw one of the many tribute to the Twin Towers. As we were walking towards the bridge and looking up at all the little details everything from the cables and the structures of the bridge. I was hesitant to go on there because of my fear of heights especially bridges, that normally while driving on them I normally close my eyes. But thanks to Dr. Mike and the challenge to see who can get over the bridge faster I gave it my all, and with no regrets I would do it again. When the bridge first opened on May 25, 1883, it was the largest bridge arching 1,595 ft across the East River ( BG, 464). I was very fascinated to see that we could see the Williamsburg bridge, and parts of Manhattan. The view was so beautiful, I was in “Awe” . As we were walking and taking in the beautiful air, we stopped to take pictures and observed the other pedestrians either those walking or those riding their bicycles. Everyone should cherish the bridge as a treasure because if it was not for it and the 4,000 people who took 14 years to build it, anyone wishing to cross the East River would have to take the Fulton Ferry ( BG,464) . All in all, it was a great day and full of walking.
A Tale of Three Villages
This was our 3rd class exploring to the New York city, so this week we started with west village which is also known as Greenwich village. As we started walking to the streets of Greenwich village it seemed like i am walking to European city. I taught to my self that i live half an hour away from this area and never got a chance to visit the area. I was glad that we visited the Greenwich Village. We stopped by one of the harrowest house which was owned by Vincent Nalina and they sold the house this august for $ 3.2 million, this explain to us that how expensive the area is getting compare to 1980's. Further down the street in 1799 was a farm house that belonged to Joshua Isaac. Greenwich was the area where Novelists started their masterwork's also the theater movement began here but no longer now the Greenwich is the center of New York 's artistic life (B.G p. 128). The Dutch divided the land into farms and under the British the area became known as Greenwich village. Between 1825 and 1850 the population of the village quadrupled (B.G p.128). our next stop was Christopher street where New York gay and lesbian community started. New York is still the largest gay and lesbian community. This history reveals that even at the time of Dutch there was gay and lesbians.
we also stopped at Christopher park which is next to stonewall place, back in days Robert Moses wanted to build street to connect the other streets but John Jacob fought him for that and John Jacob won. The stonewall Inn is a bar which was owned by Mafia's back in 1969 and they let the Lesbians to have their social interact time. Even though that the owner of the stonewall use to pay police to not bother the bar costumers but the police would still be rating.
Than our journey stopped at The Merchant's House Museum which is built in 1832, the Merchant's House is New York City's only 19th- century home preserved virtually intact, with original family furnishings and personal belongings. This house was built by Joseph Brewester in 1832, built with red bricks and white marbles. In 1835 a merchant named Seabury Tredwell bought the house, who moved in with his wife, Eliza and their 7 children. In 1840 the eight child was born named Gertrude. Gertrude never married, and lived in the house until her death in 1933, some say she never left. The Merchant's House opened to the public as a museum in 1936. Than we went to lunch break, I and my other four classmates decided to have Mexican food so we stopped at La Palapa Cocina Mexicana , we all enjoyed our lunch. After lunch we went to The Museum where the Dorus film was shot, the Co-ops squat and community garden than we briefly stopped by the 9th street community garden which was founded in 1977, it is been taken care by the community. we went to the other public park where the community have an opportunity to do some gardening, they had all different types of plant's like mint, basil and tomato's. It was a nice day overall but i didnt enjoy as much as i did in our first two classes.
we also stopped at Christopher park which is next to stonewall place, back in days Robert Moses wanted to build street to connect the other streets but John Jacob fought him for that and John Jacob won. The stonewall Inn is a bar which was owned by Mafia's back in 1969 and they let the Lesbians to have their social interact time. Even though that the owner of the stonewall use to pay police to not bother the bar costumers but the police would still be rating.
Than our journey stopped at The Merchant's House Museum which is built in 1832, the Merchant's House is New York City's only 19th- century home preserved virtually intact, with original family furnishings and personal belongings. This house was built by Joseph Brewester in 1832, built with red bricks and white marbles. In 1835 a merchant named Seabury Tredwell bought the house, who moved in with his wife, Eliza and their 7 children. In 1840 the eight child was born named Gertrude. Gertrude never married, and lived in the house until her death in 1933, some say she never left. The Merchant's House opened to the public as a museum in 1936. Than we went to lunch break, I and my other four classmates decided to have Mexican food so we stopped at La Palapa Cocina Mexicana , we all enjoyed our lunch. After lunch we went to The Museum where the Dorus film was shot, the Co-ops squat and community garden than we briefly stopped by the 9th street community garden which was founded in 1977, it is been taken care by the community. we went to the other public park where the community have an opportunity to do some gardening, they had all different types of plant's like mint, basil and tomato's. It was a nice day overall but i didnt enjoy as much as i did in our first two classes.