Journal 4 - The Enchanted Eastside
Today was my favorite day of the class so far. We started the class off by getting on the subway to Harlem, also known as Spanish Harlem or El Barrio. (ENY, p. 85). At first I was a little worried about Harlem because I had never been there before. When we got off the subway we talked about the gentrification taking place just like in other parts of the city. New apartment buildings were going up with beautiful architecture. (ENY, p. 87) I think it's nice to see this city make a turn for the better. Although I had never been there before, I haven't heard the nicest things about the area. After walking a few blocks we went to the museum of the city of New York. This place was beautiful. I loved the signs describing New York when we walked up the stairs. The video we watched on the growth of the city was amazing. I kept thinking about the research they must've done to get so much information dating so far back. The part that amazed me most was that Manhattan was bought from the Indians for $24. It was also really cool to see how the city developed visually instead of just talking about it. I'm much more of a visual learner. After the video we went to the part of the museum called guilded New York. I really liked seeing the Tiffany brand jewelry and accessories because Tiffany's is still such a popular company now too. It's crazy how something's change so much and others stay the same over time. The fashion has changed so much but the company still remains a popular icon.
After the museum we met up with out tour guide for the afternoon. When we met him he was nothing like I had expected at all. He had such a positive energy that radiated throughout out tired class. Before we started the tour of Harlem he rapped a poem to our class and it was probably of the coolest things I've ever heard. He took us to these murals on the walls of the town and we talked about who they were and what they meant. Harlem has such a community aspect to it that you don't find in most parts of the city. The cultural pride is shown throughout the neighborhood in the art on the walls. My favorite mural we saw was of Frieda Kahlo. I remember learning about
After the tour was done we went into Central Park. I've only been to Central Park a few times and have never spent much time there. This was my favorite part of the day. Walking through Central Park didn't even feel like we were in the city. It was so peaceful yet packed with runners, bike riders and people just enjoying the grass in the concrete jungle. Central Park is definitely something I would go back to again and I'm so glad that it's kept preserved and not built on.
Today was my favorite day of the class so far. We started the class off by getting on the subway to Harlem, also known as Spanish Harlem or El Barrio. (ENY, p. 85). At first I was a little worried about Harlem because I had never been there before. When we got off the subway we talked about the gentrification taking place just like in other parts of the city. New apartment buildings were going up with beautiful architecture. (ENY, p. 87) I think it's nice to see this city make a turn for the better. Although I had never been there before, I haven't heard the nicest things about the area. After walking a few blocks we went to the museum of the city of New York. This place was beautiful. I loved the signs describing New York when we walked up the stairs. The video we watched on the growth of the city was amazing. I kept thinking about the research they must've done to get so much information dating so far back. The part that amazed me most was that Manhattan was bought from the Indians for $24. It was also really cool to see how the city developed visually instead of just talking about it. I'm much more of a visual learner. After the video we went to the part of the museum called guilded New York. I really liked seeing the Tiffany brand jewelry and accessories because Tiffany's is still such a popular company now too. It's crazy how something's change so much and others stay the same over time. The fashion has changed so much but the company still remains a popular icon.
After the museum we met up with out tour guide for the afternoon. When we met him he was nothing like I had expected at all. He had such a positive energy that radiated throughout out tired class. Before we started the tour of Harlem he rapped a poem to our class and it was probably of the coolest things I've ever heard. He took us to these murals on the walls of the town and we talked about who they were and what they meant. Harlem has such a community aspect to it that you don't find in most parts of the city. The cultural pride is shown throughout the neighborhood in the art on the walls. My favorite mural we saw was of Frieda Kahlo. I remember learning about
After the tour was done we went into Central Park. I've only been to Central Park a few times and have never spent much time there. This was my favorite part of the day. Walking through Central Park didn't even feel like we were in the city. It was so peaceful yet packed with runners, bike riders and people just enjoying the grass in the concrete jungle. Central Park is definitely something I would go back to again and I'm so glad that it's kept preserved and not built on.
Journal 5 - The Wild West Side
Today we explored though times square, broadway and the museum of modern art. Although its mostly a tourist spot, I love times square. So much going on theres never a dull moment. I love just watching the tourists explore the city for the first time and watching everyone around me. I love Broadway because its mostly foot traffic. No having to worry about getting hit by a cab or crowded small sidewalks. We walked down Broadway and made our way to Times Square (located at the junction of Broadway and 7th ave [ENY, p.33]). Broadway and Times Square are such monumental parts on the city and it would not be the same without them. The central landmark of the city where you can do anything.
My favorite part of the day however was the Museum of Modern Art. I loved looking at the Jackson Pollack pieces. He is definitely one of my favorite artists and I love the splatter work that he does. His work influenced the abstract expressionist movement which changed the way people looked at art forever. Some people don't understand or like is work but I am a major fan. I also really liked seeing the "Starry Night" by Van Gogh. I remember in high school art class we all had to do a mock Van Gogh piece and I chose "Starry Night". It was great hearing Don talk about the works and how the effected the art world. It was like our own private tour of the museum. The MOMA was definitely top 5 favorite stops along this crazy adventure of a class.
Today we explored though times square, broadway and the museum of modern art. Although its mostly a tourist spot, I love times square. So much going on theres never a dull moment. I love just watching the tourists explore the city for the first time and watching everyone around me. I love Broadway because its mostly foot traffic. No having to worry about getting hit by a cab or crowded small sidewalks. We walked down Broadway and made our way to Times Square (located at the junction of Broadway and 7th ave [ENY, p.33]). Broadway and Times Square are such monumental parts on the city and it would not be the same without them. The central landmark of the city where you can do anything.
My favorite part of the day however was the Museum of Modern Art. I loved looking at the Jackson Pollack pieces. He is definitely one of my favorite artists and I love the splatter work that he does. His work influenced the abstract expressionist movement which changed the way people looked at art forever. Some people don't understand or like is work but I am a major fan. I also really liked seeing the "Starry Night" by Van Gogh. I remember in high school art class we all had to do a mock Van Gogh piece and I chose "Starry Night". It was great hearing Don talk about the works and how the effected the art world. It was like our own private tour of the museum. The MOMA was definitely top 5 favorite stops along this crazy adventure of a class.
Journal 6
Today entailed St. Pauls Chapel, 9/11 memorial, city hall and coney island, what a long day! Yet, another favorite. Being in St. Pauls chapel and seeing the 9/11 memorials was moving. 9/11 is such a sensitive topic and its hit everyone in different ways. I remember it mostly because my Dad had to respond there being a Nassau County Police Officer. He was there for days and weeks after in the cleanup. It was also really nice to see how they were so accommodating for people in the weeks after 9/11 and I wondered if my Dad had been in the church at all too. After that it was amazing to see the actual memorial and freedom tower. The pools are incredible. With the largest man made waterfall and the names of the fallen etched on the sides, Its such a moving place to be. I had never been there before and was looking forward to it in the class. I wished we could have gone to the actual memorial tour but I'm glad we stopped there along the way of our busy day. We could also see the freedom tower from the memorial pools which is such a strong looking building. Its amazing to see how the area has completely transformed since 9//11. The rebuilding of the area makes me feel so proud of our country and the patriotism.
After that, we went to Coney Island. Not going to lie, I was a little disappointed. There was not much to do on the island considering it was during the week but I'm still glad we went for the experience.
I got so excited to talk about the 9/11 memorial that I completely forgot to mention about going to City Hall. The inside of city hall was beautiful. The spiral staircase was really cool and I liked seeing the governors room the best. Here we saw old paintings of George Washington and others plus got to see his writing desk! So old! I also thought it was weird how the wall color was such a controversial aspect of the room and it was the same color as my bedroom. Its cool to see how trends come back after so much time.
To end the day we went to Fraunces Tavern and got to listen to and see old colonial music and dancing. It was crazy. Just to see how much has changed over time was bizzare. I didn't necessarily enjoy listening to the woman sing but it was cool to see.
Today entailed St. Pauls Chapel, 9/11 memorial, city hall and coney island, what a long day! Yet, another favorite. Being in St. Pauls chapel and seeing the 9/11 memorials was moving. 9/11 is such a sensitive topic and its hit everyone in different ways. I remember it mostly because my Dad had to respond there being a Nassau County Police Officer. He was there for days and weeks after in the cleanup. It was also really nice to see how they were so accommodating for people in the weeks after 9/11 and I wondered if my Dad had been in the church at all too. After that it was amazing to see the actual memorial and freedom tower. The pools are incredible. With the largest man made waterfall and the names of the fallen etched on the sides, Its such a moving place to be. I had never been there before and was looking forward to it in the class. I wished we could have gone to the actual memorial tour but I'm glad we stopped there along the way of our busy day. We could also see the freedom tower from the memorial pools which is such a strong looking building. Its amazing to see how the area has completely transformed since 9//11. The rebuilding of the area makes me feel so proud of our country and the patriotism.
After that, we went to Coney Island. Not going to lie, I was a little disappointed. There was not much to do on the island considering it was during the week but I'm still glad we went for the experience.
I got so excited to talk about the 9/11 memorial that I completely forgot to mention about going to City Hall. The inside of city hall was beautiful. The spiral staircase was really cool and I liked seeing the governors room the best. Here we saw old paintings of George Washington and others plus got to see his writing desk! So old! I also thought it was weird how the wall color was such a controversial aspect of the room and it was the same color as my bedroom. Its cool to see how trends come back after so much time.
To end the day we went to Fraunces Tavern and got to listen to and see old colonial music and dancing. It was crazy. Just to see how much has changed over time was bizzare. I didn't necessarily enjoy listening to the woman sing but it was cool to see.
Journal 7
Today in class we started off at the Tenement museum. I've been to the museum before with another class field trip so I was already prepared for what we would see. Our tour guide was very informative, even more than I remembered from last time. As you walk through the apartments in the old tenement you really get a feel for what it would be like to live in a place like this. Each apartment is very small yet families with multiple children were living there at a time.My favorite family to hear about was the Baldizi’s. Being able to stand in the apartment and listen to her interview really made you get an understanding of what it must’ve been like.
After the museum we went for a walk through china town and little italy. I had never been to either place so i was excited to have time to explore the towns. In china town we kept getting asked if we wanted to buy pocketbooks or watches from then. We decided to follow one guy down the street to where he sold bags but the whole thing was strange and sketchy so we left. We walked through little italy and looked around at shops and restaurants. I was craving italian food and you could smell the food from the restaurants on the streets.
After lunch we walked through the streets of the lower east side checking out the local churches and their architecture. Our tour guide was really knowledgeable and seemed so passionate about what he was doing. This was the second time we toured with him during the class and I'm glad we had the opportunity to do so.
After thoughts:
I took this class because everyone who has taken it before said it was the best thing they ever did at Molloy. I agree 100%. This was the best experience I've had throughout my college career and i couldn't have asked for a better time. Some days were grueling with the heat and the walking but the overall experience was worth it completely. I have a total new outlook in the big apple and I'm excited to come back and further explore the things we only had a "taste" of. While taking this class I had the task of explaining it to family members, friends and co-workers. All of which were so intriugued in how the class worked and everything about it. They all wished they had the opportunity that I did. I now feel comfortable riding the subway system and actually know which lines go which places. Its incredible how much more you learn by actually doing it. The entire experience was a learning process and I really do feel I've learned so much in just a few short weeks. I almost felt like I was studying abroad. The class flew by and I can't believe it came to an end so fast. Thank you Mike and Don for putting up with our class for the past 3 weeks, and the experience of a lifetime. It wouldn't have been the same without you.
Today in class we started off at the Tenement museum. I've been to the museum before with another class field trip so I was already prepared for what we would see. Our tour guide was very informative, even more than I remembered from last time. As you walk through the apartments in the old tenement you really get a feel for what it would be like to live in a place like this. Each apartment is very small yet families with multiple children were living there at a time.My favorite family to hear about was the Baldizi’s. Being able to stand in the apartment and listen to her interview really made you get an understanding of what it must’ve been like.
After the museum we went for a walk through china town and little italy. I had never been to either place so i was excited to have time to explore the towns. In china town we kept getting asked if we wanted to buy pocketbooks or watches from then. We decided to follow one guy down the street to where he sold bags but the whole thing was strange and sketchy so we left. We walked through little italy and looked around at shops and restaurants. I was craving italian food and you could smell the food from the restaurants on the streets.
After lunch we walked through the streets of the lower east side checking out the local churches and their architecture. Our tour guide was really knowledgeable and seemed so passionate about what he was doing. This was the second time we toured with him during the class and I'm glad we had the opportunity to do so.
After thoughts:
I took this class because everyone who has taken it before said it was the best thing they ever did at Molloy. I agree 100%. This was the best experience I've had throughout my college career and i couldn't have asked for a better time. Some days were grueling with the heat and the walking but the overall experience was worth it completely. I have a total new outlook in the big apple and I'm excited to come back and further explore the things we only had a "taste" of. While taking this class I had the task of explaining it to family members, friends and co-workers. All of which were so intriugued in how the class worked and everything about it. They all wished they had the opportunity that I did. I now feel comfortable riding the subway system and actually know which lines go which places. Its incredible how much more you learn by actually doing it. The entire experience was a learning process and I really do feel I've learned so much in just a few short weeks. I almost felt like I was studying abroad. The class flew by and I can't believe it came to an end so fast. Thank you Mike and Don for putting up with our class for the past 3 weeks, and the experience of a lifetime. It wouldn't have been the same without you.