Journals 1-4
1. Impressions of NY
When asked what comes to mind when I think of New York City, I couldn't exactly pin point just one thing. To me, the city is a bustling, busy, fast pace place filled with all different kinds of places, people, and things to do. The second thing that came to mind was also just how beautiful it looks all lit up at night, especially if you are viewing it from a distance or if you are flying. Before taking this class, my trips to New York City mostly consisted of late train rides into bars for friends 21st birthdays, or the usual broadway show and dinner with my family and one of the more popular restaurants.
My city experiences so far have been very limited since I know this big beautiful place has tons more to see, I am so excited to be taking a class like this one, where I will be able to explore everything it has to offer me that not many people even know about. However I am more of a laid back kind of girl, and that makes me also a little nervous since I know the city, since so big, can be overwhelming to people who aren't use to living there or being there all the time. I also definitely am not a fan on how much easier it is to get lost in New York City, but hopefully I will make it out alive and the "Gotham" experience will leave me with nothing but wonderful memories and make me into more of at CITY girl!
My city experiences so far have been very limited since I know this big beautiful place has tons more to see, I am so excited to be taking a class like this one, where I will be able to explore everything it has to offer me that not many people even know about. However I am more of a laid back kind of girl, and that makes me also a little nervous since I know the city, since so big, can be overwhelming to people who aren't use to living there or being there all the time. I also definitely am not a fan on how much easier it is to get lost in New York City, but hopefully I will make it out alive and the "Gotham" experience will leave me with nothing but wonderful memories and make me into more of at CITY girl!
2. Queens
Well finally, the first day of our many city adventures arrived. I got on the train that morning with butterflies and was filled with excitment to find out what exactly this class has in store for me. I felt like such a city girl taking the train in the morning alone for the first time to Penn Station, where we met with the rest of the class and got ready to seize the day!
First stop was in Corona, Flushing Meadow Park. I was excited to go here because my dad as a young boy grew up in Queens and use to play there when he was younger so I felt like I was apart of his childhood walking through the park. We continued through the park while learning about the famous World's Fair that took place on the very ground we were covering. We passed the Unisphere, the worlds largest globe. It is considered to be the largest globe structure in the world, weighing 900,000 pounds and 12 stories high (ENY, pg 165). After stopping by the globe, we took our first group shot of the class and then went to the Queen's Museum where we got to learn a great deal more about the World's Fair, how our water is brought to the city and saw the huge panorama of the five boroughs which I thought was simply stunning to look at. We learned about how the grid system was created in 1811(but how could we ever forget that date) and seeing how much Manhattan has grown since is remarkable.
Next was our first class lunch together, where for the most part was all our first time trying Indian food. I was super nervous to try this meal because I am a very picky eater, but to my surprise it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, and I actually didn't mind half of what I tried. Mike got us to try the red chicken, which in the end just tasted like regular chicken. We topped off a new fun meal with ice cream and then proceeded to the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria. I LOVED this place! It was so much fun, and me and the class had so many laughs trying out all the different hands on stations they allowed you to try. I enjoyed looking at all the different costumes, and props from many famous movies, and even got to record my voiceover as "Babe" the pig. It was hilarious to hear myself as a famous farm animal. I think this stop was the best part of the Queens trip.
Long Island City was the next place on our agenda. At this point I was exhausted and I thought my feet were bleeding in my converse, but for some reason I still had the "mojo" to keep going. We first took a look at MoMA ps1. "What makes this museum so unique-besides the often wild and occasionally controversial contemporary exhibits which it hosts- is that this museum still has the look and feel of a 19th century school building with former classrooms turned into exhibition space" (ENY, 170). We then witnessed the transition of Long Island City from run down buildings to beautiful apartment spaces. This is called gentrification which means the city is becoming more upscale compared to other parts. We soon came across the park, where we had a breathtaking view of the Empire State Building which was across the river. Although the weather was cloudy and stormy it still stood so tall, and magnificent there. Because the weather was changing we had to hurry back to the subway to beat the storm. Justine, Nicole and myself arrived back at Penn Station and while we waited for our train we grabbed a nice cold beer and a slice of pizza and relaxed our feet until the first day was officially over. I cannot wait to see what we have in store for next class. Woohoo!
First stop was in Corona, Flushing Meadow Park. I was excited to go here because my dad as a young boy grew up in Queens and use to play there when he was younger so I felt like I was apart of his childhood walking through the park. We continued through the park while learning about the famous World's Fair that took place on the very ground we were covering. We passed the Unisphere, the worlds largest globe. It is considered to be the largest globe structure in the world, weighing 900,000 pounds and 12 stories high (ENY, pg 165). After stopping by the globe, we took our first group shot of the class and then went to the Queen's Museum where we got to learn a great deal more about the World's Fair, how our water is brought to the city and saw the huge panorama of the five boroughs which I thought was simply stunning to look at. We learned about how the grid system was created in 1811(but how could we ever forget that date) and seeing how much Manhattan has grown since is remarkable.
Next was our first class lunch together, where for the most part was all our first time trying Indian food. I was super nervous to try this meal because I am a very picky eater, but to my surprise it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, and I actually didn't mind half of what I tried. Mike got us to try the red chicken, which in the end just tasted like regular chicken. We topped off a new fun meal with ice cream and then proceeded to the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria. I LOVED this place! It was so much fun, and me and the class had so many laughs trying out all the different hands on stations they allowed you to try. I enjoyed looking at all the different costumes, and props from many famous movies, and even got to record my voiceover as "Babe" the pig. It was hilarious to hear myself as a famous farm animal. I think this stop was the best part of the Queens trip.
Long Island City was the next place on our agenda. At this point I was exhausted and I thought my feet were bleeding in my converse, but for some reason I still had the "mojo" to keep going. We first took a look at MoMA ps1. "What makes this museum so unique-besides the often wild and occasionally controversial contemporary exhibits which it hosts- is that this museum still has the look and feel of a 19th century school building with former classrooms turned into exhibition space" (ENY, 170). We then witnessed the transition of Long Island City from run down buildings to beautiful apartment spaces. This is called gentrification which means the city is becoming more upscale compared to other parts. We soon came across the park, where we had a breathtaking view of the Empire State Building which was across the river. Although the weather was cloudy and stormy it still stood so tall, and magnificent there. Because the weather was changing we had to hurry back to the subway to beat the storm. Justine, Nicole and myself arrived back at Penn Station and while we waited for our train we grabbed a nice cold beer and a slice of pizza and relaxed our feet until the first day was officially over. I cannot wait to see what we have in store for next class. Woohoo!
3. Brooklyn
Brooklyn was simply amazing! Since hearing about what we are going to be doing during this class, Coney Island intrigued me the most, and I was so excited that we were going to be going there! It was my first time walking into Coney Island and right when we stepped foot out of the subway the good ol' famous Nathons was right in front of my eye, and my stomach was very happy and couldn't wait to grab one of their famous dog. The group split and the half I was in decided to be brave souls and ride the most famous and oldest roller coaster the "Cyclone". Although we were all shaking in our boots before, once the ride got going it was all fun, laughs and screams from there on. It was awesome to feel like we were riding apart of the Brooklyn history and even more so, New York. The boardwalk is full of life, interesting people, and many different places to stop and grab a drink or a bite to eat. Of course, however, how can you come to Coney Island and not have Nathons? You just simply can't. I enjoyed my tasty hot dog and fries while also getting an amazing view of the boardwalk, and water. I did not want to leave Coney Island and I hope I get a chance to go back their soon.
Our next stop was downtown Brooklyn. We walked passed and took a look at the magnificent architecture of the Brooklyn Borough Hall, a Greek style with Doric caps. There was also a beautiful opera singer preforming for some tips in front of the building and although Mike's information was very interesting it was hard to focus when I was listening to her voice of an angel. We then trucked on to the Transit Museum, which is an actual working train station! While our tour guide was giving us the brief history of Manhattan before a subway system, I couldn't even begin to think what it must have been like living in the city without one, and especially when she said the streets would flood with horse poop! GROSS! It was a blast exploring the museum and getting to see how the train and subway cars have changed throughout the years. I wanted to just lay on all the comfy seats the trains had in the older days. It was a lot of fun.
DUMBO which stands for "down under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) was such a unique place and had beautiful views all around it. Me, Justine and Nicole got to be little kids for a few minutes and got to ride Jane's Carousel. It was very soothing and had a wonderful view of the Brooklyn Bridge while you were riding it. We continued on to get some tasty ice cream from Jaques Torre Chocolatiers. I got a yummy cup of mango sherbet.
Finally, the moment we were all waiting for, walking across that lovely Brooklyn Bridge. I am so happy I can finally say I made it to the other side and got to enjoy the views, and different faces, and just an overall awesome experience of walking across the Brooklyn Bridge. When we made it finally to the other side, a few of us along with Mike and Damian headed to Soho for a delicious pasta dinner at a small italian restaurant. So far Brooklyn has been my favorite place!
Our next stop was downtown Brooklyn. We walked passed and took a look at the magnificent architecture of the Brooklyn Borough Hall, a Greek style with Doric caps. There was also a beautiful opera singer preforming for some tips in front of the building and although Mike's information was very interesting it was hard to focus when I was listening to her voice of an angel. We then trucked on to the Transit Museum, which is an actual working train station! While our tour guide was giving us the brief history of Manhattan before a subway system, I couldn't even begin to think what it must have been like living in the city without one, and especially when she said the streets would flood with horse poop! GROSS! It was a blast exploring the museum and getting to see how the train and subway cars have changed throughout the years. I wanted to just lay on all the comfy seats the trains had in the older days. It was a lot of fun.
DUMBO which stands for "down under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) was such a unique place and had beautiful views all around it. Me, Justine and Nicole got to be little kids for a few minutes and got to ride Jane's Carousel. It was very soothing and had a wonderful view of the Brooklyn Bridge while you were riding it. We continued on to get some tasty ice cream from Jaques Torre Chocolatiers. I got a yummy cup of mango sherbet.
Finally, the moment we were all waiting for, walking across that lovely Brooklyn Bridge. I am so happy I can finally say I made it to the other side and got to enjoy the views, and different faces, and just an overall awesome experience of walking across the Brooklyn Bridge. When we made it finally to the other side, a few of us along with Mike and Damian headed to Soho for a delicious pasta dinner at a small italian restaurant. So far Brooklyn has been my favorite place!
4. The Village
We began our walk to Chelsea while stopping every so often to learn a little bit more about the history of where we were. We stopped in many different art galleries along the way. Although I am not a big fan of art, these galleries were very interesting and they were each unique in their own way. While however most of the "art" we saw looked kind of like junk you would find laying on the street I guess that is was made me like them even more. Some of the artists work we saw were Susan Inglet, Gagosian Gallery,and Carl Andre. We then came across the St. Peters Episcopal Church on 20th street. I was happy we met the employee who let us take a look inside especially because I myself am Episcopalian so it meant a lot to me. Inside was simply beautiful, especially the glass windows.
We then walked across the High Line to head to Chelsea market to grab lunch. The High Line is an elevated garden that gives you a great view of Chelsea and all it has to offer. Its filled with many people walking on it, and a great variety of nice looking plants and flowers. We arrived at Chelsea Market where Nicole and I stopped at the deli and grabbed some yummy sandwiches and cold soda because it was super hot outside. I really enjoyed all the different shops and places to eat the market had to offer, however it was very crowded and their was really no where to sit and enjoy your food.
We then walked across the High Line to head to Chelsea market to grab lunch. The High Line is an elevated garden that gives you a great view of Chelsea and all it has to offer. Its filled with many people walking on it, and a great variety of nice looking plants and flowers. We arrived at Chelsea Market where Nicole and I stopped at the deli and grabbed some yummy sandwiches and cold soda because it was super hot outside. I really enjoyed all the different shops and places to eat the market had to offer, however it was very crowded and their was really no where to sit and enjoy your food.