Journal 1
Impressions of New York City
As a native New Yorker I often feel that I live in one of the greatest cities in the world. Although I may be biased, there can be no denying that NYC encompasses a rich history, incredible cultural diversity, and exciting opportunities. On the other hand, New York also contains several faults such as tremendous economic and social disparity, a declining education system and corrupt politicians. The blending of these elements have helped shape the identity of this city. It may not be perfect, but it has a powerful and vibrant force that it instills in everyone who comes to experience it.
Despite living here for my entire life, I'm not sure that I can claim to be a "true New Yorker". I am well aware that I have much to learn and discover about this city and I hope that through this class I will be able to do so.
Despite living here for my entire life, I'm not sure that I can claim to be a "true New Yorker". I am well aware that I have much to learn and discover about this city and I hope that through this class I will be able to do so.
Quixotic Queens
9-6-13
Friday, September 6th marked the first day of our Gotham class and we began our adventure in the borough of my dwelling- Queens. The weather could not have been any more perfect! The cloudless sky was crystal clear as the sun shined its warm rays and a gentle cool breeze swept by. We definitely lucked out! I wasn’t sure how long it would take me to reach the group at Penn Station and I absolutely hate being late for anything, so I left home at 9AM giving me ample wiggle room for potentially late buses and trains. Fortunately, the Q36 bus stops right in front of my house and I quickly hopped on for a 20 minute ride to the 179th street subway station to catch the F train. My train ride to 34th street was quite pleasant and thankfully without delay. After a brief walk to 7th avenue, I entered Penn station and headed down the escalator to our designated meeting spot by the McDonalds. Checking the time, I noticed that I had arrived about 45 minutes early so I decided to take a walk around. Although I’ve passed by Penn station numerous times on my own trips to Manhattan, I had never actually been to this part of it. I was quite surprised to see so many restaurants and stores. To kill sometime, I went into a book store and browsed through their collection.
Finally, as the time approached 11AM I headed back over to the meeting spot and noticed several girls idling on their phones who I assumed were part of
the class. Our professors, Mike and Meritta soon arrived and the group huddled around them. We were briefly informed of the day’s schedule, took attendance and
then headed off on our quest!
Our first stop was Bryant Park, located on 42nd street. We made a makeshift classroom and discussed some of the course requirements. Passersby gave us curious looks and probably wondered what we were up to. One of my favorite events at this park is the holiday shops they set up in mid-Autumn. I love to visit during the evening when the shops have their fairy lights aglow, making it look like a tiny village.
As we made our way through the busy streets of New York City, Mike and Meritta pointed out the Chrysler Building, a stunning and iconic part of the city’s skyline. The Chrysler building was designed by William Van Alen and built by Walter P. Chrysler who completed it in 1930 (Blue Guide, pp. 231). It reigned as the tallest building for merely one year until ousted by the Empire State building (Blue Guide, pp. 232). Mike explained that the architectural style of the building was called Art deco, and was popular during the 1930s. Even from the distance we were standing, it was obvious as to the intricacy and elegance of the design which typifies art deco.
Further along, we came to the New York Public Library. Two stone lions named Patience (at the South) and Fortitude (North) stood proudly on either side of the giant staircase to the building’s entrance. Meritta explained that the lions were originally called Astor and Lenox after the two founders of library, John Jacob Astor and James Lenox, but were renamed after the Great Depression to better exemplify the changing attitude of the times. (www.nypl.org)
The architectural style which characterizes the library is called neoclassical. The giant arches and columns which adorn the front give a very powerful and majestic impression. As we entered, the neoclassical opulence continued; Giant chandeliers and exquisite paintings decorated the high ceiling. The main reading room was incredibly grand and spacious and contained hundreds of reference books which lined the walls. What struck me the most was how the décor and ambience of the library made me feel like I was in a different time period despite the modern touches, such as the computers.
Our next stop was Grand Central Terminal on 42nd street. The design of this building was also very grandiose and the interior was no exception. In honor of the Terminal’s centennial, the ceiling was restored to its former beauty although a small patch of its former self was left in the northwest corner to remind people of what it looked like before (Blue Guide, pp. 230). Although the use of trains has declined with the advent of cars and highways, Grand Central remains a historical treasure in New York.
We then stopped in the Waldorf- Astoria hotel for a brief moment to take in some more of the art deco style the city has to offer. The original location of the hotel was the site of the Empire State building but it was moved to its current residence in 1929 (Blue Guide, pp. 235). Once again, the intricacy and grandeur that typifies the art deco style was evident in every inch of the property. Even the bathroom was a sight to behold!
Traversing the streets, we made our way to the Roosevelt Island tram near the Queensboro Bridge. I feel ashamed to say that I didn’t even know this tram existed! Its operation began in 1976 and is run by the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp. However, it does utilize MTA metrocards (www.nycsubway.org). During the leisurely ride on the tram I was thrilled to see the gorgeous views of the city and the East River. I will definitely be going back for another ride!
Reaching the island, we once again made another makeshift classroom on the grass where Mike and Meritta gave us a brief history. Originally occupied by the Lenape Indians, the island was overtaken by the Dutch and finally the English. It was called Blackwell Island until 1920, then renamed Welfare Island
until 1973. It currently has about 12,000 residents with incredible diversity.
We visited the recently established Four Freedom’s Park, which honors President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The site was developed by architect Louis Kahn (www.fdrfourfreedomspark.org). Although we weren’t able to see the entire place due to filming on the site, we were able to get more spectacular views of both Manhattan and Queens. I felt that the simplistic layout of the space greatly emphasized the prominence of the city skyline and gave a sense of tranquility
and peace. Overall, it was very beautiful and calming.
By now, our class reached the halfway point and we went for a ride on the subway to Jackson Heights for our first Queens experience. One of the most amazing elements of this neighborhood is the incredible diversity. As soon as we stepped off the train, the smell of different ethnic foods wafted in our direction. We had lunch at Jackson Diner, a restaurant specializing in Indian cuisine. I have been to this restaurant before and I absolutely love the lunch buffet! I loaded my plate with as much as I could and dived right in.
It was finally time to start exploring this borough! We traveled by subway to Astoria which Meritta explained was one of many towns undergoing gentrification.
This process involves the displacement of the people currently residing in a poor or middle class area in order to create a new environment for more wealthy people. Astoria’s close proximity to the city and far cheaper living expenses make it a bargain for the upper class. Meritta also informed us that Astoria used to be the center for the film making industry before it moved to Hollywood in California. During World War II, the army used the film studios here to create training videos and
propaganda (Blue Guide, pp. 499). A great deal of filming still takes place here, especially at the Kaufman Astoria studios.
We ventured over to the Museum of the Moving Image where we got to see the history behind film making and much more. The museum opened in 1988 thanks to George Kaufman (www.movingimage.us). I was amazed to see the primitive filming and recording equipment as well as various movie and TV props. There were also various hands on activities to do although I did not have much time to try them out. Another exhibit that really caught my attention was the vintage arcade games! I was especially thrilled to see they had the original Donkey Kong machine which brought about some nostalgia. Lastly, I viewed a special exhibit they had on the second floor regarding video editing which was very amusing. Despite our limited time here, I really enjoyed the experience and definitely want to come back on my own time to take in more of what this place has to offer.
The final neighborhood of our first day was Long Island City, one of the westernmost parts of Queens. Like Astoria, LIC has also been undergoing a great deal of gentrification to accommodate the new generation of young, wealthy people wanting to live in the city. Many of the unsightly and dilapidated buildings here have been slated for destruction in order to create luxury apartments on the waterfront. One such place called 5 Pointz, will be demolished in the coming months.
Upon arriving at 5 Pointz, I was blown away by the incredibly colorful graffiti artwork that covered every corner of the factory walls! To be honest, it was a bit overwhelming to take it all in at first since every piece has a unique style that requires your full attention. According to the website, “5Pointz signifies the five boroughs coming together as one” but it also includes artwork by people from all over the globe. It truly deserves the title of the world’s “graffiti mecca”. Walking through the site, we were fortunate enough to meet two artists at work, one of who was kind enough to talk to us about his interest and reason for doing graffiti. I wish I had known about this place sooner, though I’m thankful I got to see it just in time. The city will definitely be losing a great part of its culture.
To wrap up our day, we headed over to Gantry Plaza State Park at the very tip of Queens. By this time, the sun had already begun to set and was directly in our eyes as we headed west. We were all pretty tired but managed to get to the park and were once again greeted by the Manhattan skyline. The most iconic part of the park was of course the gantries themselves which were used in the past to help load cargo onto freight trains delivering goods from the city to Long Island.
After taking a few more photos, we managed to end our day early and headed back to the train station to go home. In all, it was magnificent first day of class and I learned so much about the city that I live in. I hope that our future classes will be just as exciting as this one!
Check out some of the photos I took below! :)
Friday, September 6th marked the first day of our Gotham class and we began our adventure in the borough of my dwelling- Queens. The weather could not have been any more perfect! The cloudless sky was crystal clear as the sun shined its warm rays and a gentle cool breeze swept by. We definitely lucked out! I wasn’t sure how long it would take me to reach the group at Penn Station and I absolutely hate being late for anything, so I left home at 9AM giving me ample wiggle room for potentially late buses and trains. Fortunately, the Q36 bus stops right in front of my house and I quickly hopped on for a 20 minute ride to the 179th street subway station to catch the F train. My train ride to 34th street was quite pleasant and thankfully without delay. After a brief walk to 7th avenue, I entered Penn station and headed down the escalator to our designated meeting spot by the McDonalds. Checking the time, I noticed that I had arrived about 45 minutes early so I decided to take a walk around. Although I’ve passed by Penn station numerous times on my own trips to Manhattan, I had never actually been to this part of it. I was quite surprised to see so many restaurants and stores. To kill sometime, I went into a book store and browsed through their collection.
Finally, as the time approached 11AM I headed back over to the meeting spot and noticed several girls idling on their phones who I assumed were part of
the class. Our professors, Mike and Meritta soon arrived and the group huddled around them. We were briefly informed of the day’s schedule, took attendance and
then headed off on our quest!
Our first stop was Bryant Park, located on 42nd street. We made a makeshift classroom and discussed some of the course requirements. Passersby gave us curious looks and probably wondered what we were up to. One of my favorite events at this park is the holiday shops they set up in mid-Autumn. I love to visit during the evening when the shops have their fairy lights aglow, making it look like a tiny village.
As we made our way through the busy streets of New York City, Mike and Meritta pointed out the Chrysler Building, a stunning and iconic part of the city’s skyline. The Chrysler building was designed by William Van Alen and built by Walter P. Chrysler who completed it in 1930 (Blue Guide, pp. 231). It reigned as the tallest building for merely one year until ousted by the Empire State building (Blue Guide, pp. 232). Mike explained that the architectural style of the building was called Art deco, and was popular during the 1930s. Even from the distance we were standing, it was obvious as to the intricacy and elegance of the design which typifies art deco.
Further along, we came to the New York Public Library. Two stone lions named Patience (at the South) and Fortitude (North) stood proudly on either side of the giant staircase to the building’s entrance. Meritta explained that the lions were originally called Astor and Lenox after the two founders of library, John Jacob Astor and James Lenox, but were renamed after the Great Depression to better exemplify the changing attitude of the times. (www.nypl.org)
The architectural style which characterizes the library is called neoclassical. The giant arches and columns which adorn the front give a very powerful and majestic impression. As we entered, the neoclassical opulence continued; Giant chandeliers and exquisite paintings decorated the high ceiling. The main reading room was incredibly grand and spacious and contained hundreds of reference books which lined the walls. What struck me the most was how the décor and ambience of the library made me feel like I was in a different time period despite the modern touches, such as the computers.
Our next stop was Grand Central Terminal on 42nd street. The design of this building was also very grandiose and the interior was no exception. In honor of the Terminal’s centennial, the ceiling was restored to its former beauty although a small patch of its former self was left in the northwest corner to remind people of what it looked like before (Blue Guide, pp. 230). Although the use of trains has declined with the advent of cars and highways, Grand Central remains a historical treasure in New York.
We then stopped in the Waldorf- Astoria hotel for a brief moment to take in some more of the art deco style the city has to offer. The original location of the hotel was the site of the Empire State building but it was moved to its current residence in 1929 (Blue Guide, pp. 235). Once again, the intricacy and grandeur that typifies the art deco style was evident in every inch of the property. Even the bathroom was a sight to behold!
Traversing the streets, we made our way to the Roosevelt Island tram near the Queensboro Bridge. I feel ashamed to say that I didn’t even know this tram existed! Its operation began in 1976 and is run by the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp. However, it does utilize MTA metrocards (www.nycsubway.org). During the leisurely ride on the tram I was thrilled to see the gorgeous views of the city and the East River. I will definitely be going back for another ride!
Reaching the island, we once again made another makeshift classroom on the grass where Mike and Meritta gave us a brief history. Originally occupied by the Lenape Indians, the island was overtaken by the Dutch and finally the English. It was called Blackwell Island until 1920, then renamed Welfare Island
until 1973. It currently has about 12,000 residents with incredible diversity.
We visited the recently established Four Freedom’s Park, which honors President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The site was developed by architect Louis Kahn (www.fdrfourfreedomspark.org). Although we weren’t able to see the entire place due to filming on the site, we were able to get more spectacular views of both Manhattan and Queens. I felt that the simplistic layout of the space greatly emphasized the prominence of the city skyline and gave a sense of tranquility
and peace. Overall, it was very beautiful and calming.
By now, our class reached the halfway point and we went for a ride on the subway to Jackson Heights for our first Queens experience. One of the most amazing elements of this neighborhood is the incredible diversity. As soon as we stepped off the train, the smell of different ethnic foods wafted in our direction. We had lunch at Jackson Diner, a restaurant specializing in Indian cuisine. I have been to this restaurant before and I absolutely love the lunch buffet! I loaded my plate with as much as I could and dived right in.
It was finally time to start exploring this borough! We traveled by subway to Astoria which Meritta explained was one of many towns undergoing gentrification.
This process involves the displacement of the people currently residing in a poor or middle class area in order to create a new environment for more wealthy people. Astoria’s close proximity to the city and far cheaper living expenses make it a bargain for the upper class. Meritta also informed us that Astoria used to be the center for the film making industry before it moved to Hollywood in California. During World War II, the army used the film studios here to create training videos and
propaganda (Blue Guide, pp. 499). A great deal of filming still takes place here, especially at the Kaufman Astoria studios.
We ventured over to the Museum of the Moving Image where we got to see the history behind film making and much more. The museum opened in 1988 thanks to George Kaufman (www.movingimage.us). I was amazed to see the primitive filming and recording equipment as well as various movie and TV props. There were also various hands on activities to do although I did not have much time to try them out. Another exhibit that really caught my attention was the vintage arcade games! I was especially thrilled to see they had the original Donkey Kong machine which brought about some nostalgia. Lastly, I viewed a special exhibit they had on the second floor regarding video editing which was very amusing. Despite our limited time here, I really enjoyed the experience and definitely want to come back on my own time to take in more of what this place has to offer.
The final neighborhood of our first day was Long Island City, one of the westernmost parts of Queens. Like Astoria, LIC has also been undergoing a great deal of gentrification to accommodate the new generation of young, wealthy people wanting to live in the city. Many of the unsightly and dilapidated buildings here have been slated for destruction in order to create luxury apartments on the waterfront. One such place called 5 Pointz, will be demolished in the coming months.
Upon arriving at 5 Pointz, I was blown away by the incredibly colorful graffiti artwork that covered every corner of the factory walls! To be honest, it was a bit overwhelming to take it all in at first since every piece has a unique style that requires your full attention. According to the website, “5Pointz signifies the five boroughs coming together as one” but it also includes artwork by people from all over the globe. It truly deserves the title of the world’s “graffiti mecca”. Walking through the site, we were fortunate enough to meet two artists at work, one of who was kind enough to talk to us about his interest and reason for doing graffiti. I wish I had known about this place sooner, though I’m thankful I got to see it just in time. The city will definitely be losing a great part of its culture.
To wrap up our day, we headed over to Gantry Plaza State Park at the very tip of Queens. By this time, the sun had already begun to set and was directly in our eyes as we headed west. We were all pretty tired but managed to get to the park and were once again greeted by the Manhattan skyline. The most iconic part of the park was of course the gantries themselves which were used in the past to help load cargo onto freight trains delivering goods from the city to Long Island.
After taking a few more photos, we managed to end our day early and headed back to the train station to go home. In all, it was magnificent first day of class and I learned so much about the city that I live in. I hope that our future classes will be just as exciting as this one!
Check out some of the photos I took below! :)
Bodacious Brooklyn
9-13-13
On the ominous Friday the thirteenth, we had our second class which took place in the borough of Brooklyn. Settled by the Dutch in the 17th century, this borough existed as its own city for much of its history until 1898 when it joined with the rest of NYC (Blue Guide, pp. 462-63). About 2.5 million people live in Brooklyn, making it the most populous borough (Blue Guide, pp. 461). From the 1960s to 80s, Brooklyn was slowly declining due to crime but recently, more affluent families have been settling down in certain neighborhoods such as Park Slope and Cobble Hill and have reinvigorated the area (Blue Guide, pp. 463).
The first destination of the day was Coney Island, located on the southern coast of the borough. We left Penn Station and headed east to 6th avenue to take the F train. The trip should’ve taken us about 45 minutes however… we ended up with a great deal of delay and it took us almost 2 hours to reach. (This is the reason why I leave the house 2 hours before to get to Penn Station, even though I could make it in 1. The MTA can be temperamental…) Immediately upon our arrival we were greeted with the various amusement park rides of Coney Island. Stopping across the street from the original Nathan’s, Mike and Meritta gave us an overview of the Island’s history. Originally called “Rabbit Island” by the Dutch, Coney Island was the place for middle class Americans to unwind during the 1920s and 30s. However, it slipped into a decline starting in the 1940s with the advent of the car and the highway system (Blue Guide, pp. 492). Ironically, Coney Island is not an island anymore but a peninsula. It joined the mainland via a landfill in the early part of the 20th century (Blue Guide, pp. 492). Plans have come and gone to try and revive the area, but none have followed through. Regardless, Coney Island remains a historical part of the city and I hope at least part of it will be restored to its former glory.
Due to our lengthy train ride, we had only half an hour to briefly tour the area and grab a bite. Most of us decided to go to Nathans and have one of their famous hot dogs. To be honest, I’m not really a fan of hot dogs and I didn’t think it was anything special. I suppose it’s customary to eat one when you’re in Coney Island though.
Boarding the F train once again, we headed to Brooklyn Heights to the New York Transit Museum. This was definitely one of the best museums I have ever been to! When we arrived, I was surprised to see that it was actually in an old subway station that has been out of order since 1936. Our lovely tour guide, Katherine, gave us a wonderful history of the subway system. In the late 19th century, the majority of the population lived in lower Manhattan where they could be close to their jobs. The only mode of public transportation at this time involved horses which in turn led to a tremendous amount of manure buildup in the streets in addition to the garbage of Manhattan’s inhabitants. With no sanitation department, the city tried to solve the problem by building elevated trains in 1860. This worked for a while until a massive blizzard in 1888 dropped 50 inches of snow, paralyzing the city and the locomotives. After this disaster, plans for an underground rail system were formed.
Building the subway was a dangerous job and required very hard physical labor. A special type of worker called a “sandhog” tunneled through the riverbeds. Some of them fell victim to decompression sickness, also known as caisson disease, due to working under extreme pressure. Many of the workers were immigrants from Italy and Ireland as well as African Americans. Despite their toil, they were paid hardly anything. Thanks to them, the subway was born in 1904 has been serving New York City ever since.
One of the best parts of the museum was the old train cars on display on the bottom level. Stepping inside of them felt like going back in time! The advertisements inside them were pretty interesting too. They also had old fashioned buses and turnstiles as well as hands on activities. Overall, I had a great time in the museum and learned a lot about the history of the subway system.
Next, we toured the neighborhood of Brooklyn Heights. Mike and Meritta explained that this was a very desirable place to live during the 19th century because of its convenient location to Manhattan. The area was developed by wealthy families who built houses in a variety of styles: Federal, Greek revival, Gothic, etc. (Blue Guide, pp. 466). Most notably however, are the brownstones which have attracted throngs of wealthy people in recent years. The neighborhood was, and still is, known for its churches, some of which we passed by such as Spencer Memorial Church and St. Anne Holy Trinity. Like many places in NYC, Brooklyn Heights also experienced a downturn during the early 20th century but managed to rebuild in the 1950s and 60s. According to the Blue Guide, “Today, Brooklyn Heights is one of the city’s most expensive and desirable neighborhoods” (pp. 467).
Moving along, we came to the Brooklyn Promenade which was the site of the Battle of Long Island (Battle of Brooklyn) during the American Revolution. Mike told us that New York at the time was a Loyalist stronghold to which the British navy sent their ships to gain a foothold for their fleet. George Washington realized that victory would not be possible and surrendered in order to save his troops. The site has great views of the city skyline and exudes a carefree and relaxing atmosphere despite the raging sounds of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway below.
From here, we made our way over to DUMBO, an area between the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge that stands for “District Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass”. This was one of my favorite stops of the day because we got great views of both bridges. Walking around the area, I witnessed a wedding taking place right on the waterfront as well as a kid’s birthday party. The vibe was very family friendly, artsy, and natural. We also stopped at an ice cream shop called Jacques Torres Chocolate. I ordered a scoop of pistachio flavored ice cream and it was amazing!
Our last trek of the day involved walking over the Brooklyn Bridge to Manhattan. In addition to being one of the greatest icons of the city, the building of the bridge has a very interesting history. Initially designed and started by John A. Roebling in 1856, the bridge was left in the hands of his son Washington Roebling to build after his father contracted tetanus while overseeing the project in 1869. At the time, there had been no other suspension bridge of this magnitude and some men lost their lives in the process. Similar to the subway builders a while later, the men faced caisson disease including Washington Roebling, who suffered from a severe nervous disorder as a result. This left the completion of the bridge to Emily Roebling, Washington Roebling’s wife. A highly educated woman, Emily conveyed the instructions of her husband to the workers. Thanks to her, the Brooklyn Bridge was completed in 1883. (Blue Guide, pp. 464-466)
The walk across was quite spectacular and it was a great way to end the day! The cool evening breeze and warmth of the sun made it a very pleasant stroll, and the views of the city were unbelievable. With a length spanning about 1 mile, I think it took just around 20 or 30 minutes to complete. Our class ended in Manhattan at City Hall.
Today’s class in general was interesting, although it felt kind of short due to our delayed train in the beginning. I really enjoyed the Transit Museum and learning about the history of the subway as well as the history of Brooklyn which has contributed a lot to the culture New York City.
On the ominous Friday the thirteenth, we had our second class which took place in the borough of Brooklyn. Settled by the Dutch in the 17th century, this borough existed as its own city for much of its history until 1898 when it joined with the rest of NYC (Blue Guide, pp. 462-63). About 2.5 million people live in Brooklyn, making it the most populous borough (Blue Guide, pp. 461). From the 1960s to 80s, Brooklyn was slowly declining due to crime but recently, more affluent families have been settling down in certain neighborhoods such as Park Slope and Cobble Hill and have reinvigorated the area (Blue Guide, pp. 463).
The first destination of the day was Coney Island, located on the southern coast of the borough. We left Penn Station and headed east to 6th avenue to take the F train. The trip should’ve taken us about 45 minutes however… we ended up with a great deal of delay and it took us almost 2 hours to reach. (This is the reason why I leave the house 2 hours before to get to Penn Station, even though I could make it in 1. The MTA can be temperamental…) Immediately upon our arrival we were greeted with the various amusement park rides of Coney Island. Stopping across the street from the original Nathan’s, Mike and Meritta gave us an overview of the Island’s history. Originally called “Rabbit Island” by the Dutch, Coney Island was the place for middle class Americans to unwind during the 1920s and 30s. However, it slipped into a decline starting in the 1940s with the advent of the car and the highway system (Blue Guide, pp. 492). Ironically, Coney Island is not an island anymore but a peninsula. It joined the mainland via a landfill in the early part of the 20th century (Blue Guide, pp. 492). Plans have come and gone to try and revive the area, but none have followed through. Regardless, Coney Island remains a historical part of the city and I hope at least part of it will be restored to its former glory.
Due to our lengthy train ride, we had only half an hour to briefly tour the area and grab a bite. Most of us decided to go to Nathans and have one of their famous hot dogs. To be honest, I’m not really a fan of hot dogs and I didn’t think it was anything special. I suppose it’s customary to eat one when you’re in Coney Island though.
Boarding the F train once again, we headed to Brooklyn Heights to the New York Transit Museum. This was definitely one of the best museums I have ever been to! When we arrived, I was surprised to see that it was actually in an old subway station that has been out of order since 1936. Our lovely tour guide, Katherine, gave us a wonderful history of the subway system. In the late 19th century, the majority of the population lived in lower Manhattan where they could be close to their jobs. The only mode of public transportation at this time involved horses which in turn led to a tremendous amount of manure buildup in the streets in addition to the garbage of Manhattan’s inhabitants. With no sanitation department, the city tried to solve the problem by building elevated trains in 1860. This worked for a while until a massive blizzard in 1888 dropped 50 inches of snow, paralyzing the city and the locomotives. After this disaster, plans for an underground rail system were formed.
Building the subway was a dangerous job and required very hard physical labor. A special type of worker called a “sandhog” tunneled through the riverbeds. Some of them fell victim to decompression sickness, also known as caisson disease, due to working under extreme pressure. Many of the workers were immigrants from Italy and Ireland as well as African Americans. Despite their toil, they were paid hardly anything. Thanks to them, the subway was born in 1904 has been serving New York City ever since.
One of the best parts of the museum was the old train cars on display on the bottom level. Stepping inside of them felt like going back in time! The advertisements inside them were pretty interesting too. They also had old fashioned buses and turnstiles as well as hands on activities. Overall, I had a great time in the museum and learned a lot about the history of the subway system.
Next, we toured the neighborhood of Brooklyn Heights. Mike and Meritta explained that this was a very desirable place to live during the 19th century because of its convenient location to Manhattan. The area was developed by wealthy families who built houses in a variety of styles: Federal, Greek revival, Gothic, etc. (Blue Guide, pp. 466). Most notably however, are the brownstones which have attracted throngs of wealthy people in recent years. The neighborhood was, and still is, known for its churches, some of which we passed by such as Spencer Memorial Church and St. Anne Holy Trinity. Like many places in NYC, Brooklyn Heights also experienced a downturn during the early 20th century but managed to rebuild in the 1950s and 60s. According to the Blue Guide, “Today, Brooklyn Heights is one of the city’s most expensive and desirable neighborhoods” (pp. 467).
Moving along, we came to the Brooklyn Promenade which was the site of the Battle of Long Island (Battle of Brooklyn) during the American Revolution. Mike told us that New York at the time was a Loyalist stronghold to which the British navy sent their ships to gain a foothold for their fleet. George Washington realized that victory would not be possible and surrendered in order to save his troops. The site has great views of the city skyline and exudes a carefree and relaxing atmosphere despite the raging sounds of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway below.
From here, we made our way over to DUMBO, an area between the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge that stands for “District Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass”. This was one of my favorite stops of the day because we got great views of both bridges. Walking around the area, I witnessed a wedding taking place right on the waterfront as well as a kid’s birthday party. The vibe was very family friendly, artsy, and natural. We also stopped at an ice cream shop called Jacques Torres Chocolate. I ordered a scoop of pistachio flavored ice cream and it was amazing!
Our last trek of the day involved walking over the Brooklyn Bridge to Manhattan. In addition to being one of the greatest icons of the city, the building of the bridge has a very interesting history. Initially designed and started by John A. Roebling in 1856, the bridge was left in the hands of his son Washington Roebling to build after his father contracted tetanus while overseeing the project in 1869. At the time, there had been no other suspension bridge of this magnitude and some men lost their lives in the process. Similar to the subway builders a while later, the men faced caisson disease including Washington Roebling, who suffered from a severe nervous disorder as a result. This left the completion of the bridge to Emily Roebling, Washington Roebling’s wife. A highly educated woman, Emily conveyed the instructions of her husband to the workers. Thanks to her, the Brooklyn Bridge was completed in 1883. (Blue Guide, pp. 464-466)
The walk across was quite spectacular and it was a great way to end the day! The cool evening breeze and warmth of the sun made it a very pleasant stroll, and the views of the city were unbelievable. With a length spanning about 1 mile, I think it took just around 20 or 30 minutes to complete. Our class ended in Manhattan at City Hall.
Today’s class in general was interesting, although it felt kind of short due to our delayed train in the beginning. I really enjoyed the Transit Museum and learning about the history of the subway as well as the history of Brooklyn which has contributed a lot to the culture New York City.
A Tale of Three Villages
9-20-13
Today our class took place in the three villages of NYC: East Village, West Village and Greenwich Village. Our stroke of lucky weather continued as it was another warm, sunny day for our adventure. After everyone arrived at 11am, we headed off to take the downtown 1 train to Houston Street (pronounced like “HOUSE-TON” not “HEWS-TON”).
Mike gave us an overview of Greenwich Village once we got off the train. The Village was a very affluent neighborhood until the arrival of Irish and Italian immigrants. Experiencing a decline like most places, it eventually was revived by the return of young rich people. It was the center of radical change in New York during the 20th Century. Today, it remains one of the most open minded places in the city and retains its Bohemian, free love attitude. An interesting fact about this area in general is that the streets are named, not numbered. This makes getting around much more difficult than in other parts of NYC.
Our first stop of the day was house 75 ½ on Bedford street which is the narrowest house in the Manhattan. According to Mike and Meritta, the house has had some famous inhabitants including Edna St. Vincent Millay and Margaret Mead. This tiny house was sold this past August for about $3 million! I can’t even imagine what the full sized ones cost. I suppose this goes to show that rich people are willing to pay just about anything to be in a trendy NYC neighborhood.
Moving along, we passed by a number of cute stores and coffee shops which The Village is notorious for. Meritta pointed out a bar called The White Horse Tavern on Hudson St. In the 19th century, it was the spot for ship workers to come and unwind after a hard day of labor. Many Bohemian writers such as Dylan Thomas created some of their best works while staying here.
Next, we went to the famous Stonewall Inn on Christopher St which was the location of the Stonewall Riot on July 28, 1969. According to the Blue Guide, “…the police raided the bar, an easy target as it operated without a liquor license and apparently had connections to organized crime” (p. 130). Protestors soon arrived and a huge fight broke out between the police and the gay community. This was the turning point for the gay rights movement not only in New York, but around the country.
Taking in the architecture of the area, we observed that many of the buildings on Gay street were done in the federal style. One of the most unique buildings we saw was the Northern Dispensary which is in the shape of a triangle. Mike explained that it was a hospital for the poor in the past.
Heading into the East Village we went to the Merchant’s House Museum located on 29 East Fourth Street. Our tour guide Bill gave us an extensive history of the house. Built in 1832, the house was intended for the upper class New Yorkers who wanted to move away from lower Manhattan. It was purchased in 1835 by Seabury Treadwell, a merchant with a large family consisting of a wife and seven children. After moving in, the family had an eighth child.
We first took a look at the family room in the basement. This was where the children would hang out and do their homework. Although the space was small,
it was ornately decorated and even had a fireplace. Nearly all of the furniture in the house belonged to the Treadwell family. Most of it was redecorated in 1855, which is how it is interpreted today.
We then headed to the kitchen which retained much of its antiques. When the Treadwell family moved in during the mid-19th century, there was no plumbing system or running water. Their old stove and open hearth still remain.
On the parlor floor, there were two distinct rooms that could be separated by a wooden door between them. Both of them were very grand and beautiful and had giant chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Greek revival dominates the interior. The columns and moldings on the wall were very intricate. The front room was where the lady of the house, Mrs.Treadwell, would conduct her social gatherings. Bill explained that these kinds of interactions were crucial at that time because there was no other way of communicating with one another. The back room was where the family had their meals. If necessary, both rooms could be used to entertain guests.
Then, we went to the second floor which had the bedrooms of Mr. Treadwell and his wife. Although they slept separately, the rooms were joined by a small hallway. Both had canopy beds, a small wash station and a writing desk. Our last stop in the house was the servants’ quarter on the top floor. It was a very tiny room with nothing more than a few plain beds. The Treadwell’s had about four female servants living with them most of who were of Irish decent.
When the eighth Treadwell child died in 1933, the house was bought by a distant family member who wanted to preserve the history held within. Since then, the house has been deemed a landmark and cannot be demolished. Overall, I enjoyed the experience of the museum. I really loved the décor and the garden. Even though the family no longer lives here, you could still feel their presence.
At the end of our tour, we thanked Bill and headed off to Washington Square Park which is considered the heart of Greenwich Village. Upon arrival, we examined the arch at the park’s entrance which was modeled after the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. On the left side, George Washington stands as a general at war and on the right, he is at peace. According to the Blue Guide, “the present marble arch represents the centennial of George Washington’s inauguration” (p. 131). The park was filled with all types of people and had several musicians and other entertainers.
The class then headed to St. Mark’s Place to have lunch. All types of restaurants and bars lined the streets. One that caught my attention was Japadog, which served up hot dogs with crazy toppings that are notorious in Japan. However, four other classmates and I decided to eat at a Mexican restaurant called La Palapa. The items seemed really interesting but I decided to play it safe and get a chicken quesadilla.
After lunch, we headed to our final destination of the day at the Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space in the East Village. The inside of the museum was pretty cool and it had a lot of pictures of what New York City used to look like in the 60s and 70s when many buildings were being torn down. Our tour guide, who also happened to be named Bill, said that the purpose of the museum was to document the living culture of NYC. Bill began by telling us that the East Village used to be considered a bad place to be. Many of the buildings were being abandoned by landlords and set on fire. This occurred because of a fiscal crisis happening in New York during the 70s which resulted in the city implementing “planned shrinkage” in certain areas. Vacant buildings attracted outcasts and rebels who became known as squatters. He also spoke to us about the community gardens which were originally tenement buildings turned to rubble. In 1978, the Green Thumb Program was
initiated to start the gardens in the vacant spaces. By the late 80s, yuppies were starting to invade the area and wanted the properties in which the squatters were residing, forcing them to leave. To end, Bill told us of the riots that occurred in Tompkins Square Park which was caused by tension between various ethnic groups in the area. Class warfare contributed the major riots and fights between the police and civilians. The tour was very in depth and gave a sense of how this area is evolving. I though the gardens represented a nice way for everyone to get to know each other and instill a sense of belonging. Most amusing and ingenious were the recycled bottles and gadgets that were used in place of barbed wire.
Our day ended by heading to the Big Gay Ice Cream Shop. Although I did not purchase one, I heard from my peers that the Salty Pimp cone was quite delicious. I guess I’ll have to come back to try it for myself.
In all, the day was not nearly as fun as the last two but still informative. I’ve been to this area of the city several times, but I feel that I have a greater appreciation for the significance and history that it has to offer.
Today our class took place in the three villages of NYC: East Village, West Village and Greenwich Village. Our stroke of lucky weather continued as it was another warm, sunny day for our adventure. After everyone arrived at 11am, we headed off to take the downtown 1 train to Houston Street (pronounced like “HOUSE-TON” not “HEWS-TON”).
Mike gave us an overview of Greenwich Village once we got off the train. The Village was a very affluent neighborhood until the arrival of Irish and Italian immigrants. Experiencing a decline like most places, it eventually was revived by the return of young rich people. It was the center of radical change in New York during the 20th Century. Today, it remains one of the most open minded places in the city and retains its Bohemian, free love attitude. An interesting fact about this area in general is that the streets are named, not numbered. This makes getting around much more difficult than in other parts of NYC.
Our first stop of the day was house 75 ½ on Bedford street which is the narrowest house in the Manhattan. According to Mike and Meritta, the house has had some famous inhabitants including Edna St. Vincent Millay and Margaret Mead. This tiny house was sold this past August for about $3 million! I can’t even imagine what the full sized ones cost. I suppose this goes to show that rich people are willing to pay just about anything to be in a trendy NYC neighborhood.
Moving along, we passed by a number of cute stores and coffee shops which The Village is notorious for. Meritta pointed out a bar called The White Horse Tavern on Hudson St. In the 19th century, it was the spot for ship workers to come and unwind after a hard day of labor. Many Bohemian writers such as Dylan Thomas created some of their best works while staying here.
Next, we went to the famous Stonewall Inn on Christopher St which was the location of the Stonewall Riot on July 28, 1969. According to the Blue Guide, “…the police raided the bar, an easy target as it operated without a liquor license and apparently had connections to organized crime” (p. 130). Protestors soon arrived and a huge fight broke out between the police and the gay community. This was the turning point for the gay rights movement not only in New York, but around the country.
Taking in the architecture of the area, we observed that many of the buildings on Gay street were done in the federal style. One of the most unique buildings we saw was the Northern Dispensary which is in the shape of a triangle. Mike explained that it was a hospital for the poor in the past.
Heading into the East Village we went to the Merchant’s House Museum located on 29 East Fourth Street. Our tour guide Bill gave us an extensive history of the house. Built in 1832, the house was intended for the upper class New Yorkers who wanted to move away from lower Manhattan. It was purchased in 1835 by Seabury Treadwell, a merchant with a large family consisting of a wife and seven children. After moving in, the family had an eighth child.
We first took a look at the family room in the basement. This was where the children would hang out and do their homework. Although the space was small,
it was ornately decorated and even had a fireplace. Nearly all of the furniture in the house belonged to the Treadwell family. Most of it was redecorated in 1855, which is how it is interpreted today.
We then headed to the kitchen which retained much of its antiques. When the Treadwell family moved in during the mid-19th century, there was no plumbing system or running water. Their old stove and open hearth still remain.
On the parlor floor, there were two distinct rooms that could be separated by a wooden door between them. Both of them were very grand and beautiful and had giant chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Greek revival dominates the interior. The columns and moldings on the wall were very intricate. The front room was where the lady of the house, Mrs.Treadwell, would conduct her social gatherings. Bill explained that these kinds of interactions were crucial at that time because there was no other way of communicating with one another. The back room was where the family had their meals. If necessary, both rooms could be used to entertain guests.
Then, we went to the second floor which had the bedrooms of Mr. Treadwell and his wife. Although they slept separately, the rooms were joined by a small hallway. Both had canopy beds, a small wash station and a writing desk. Our last stop in the house was the servants’ quarter on the top floor. It was a very tiny room with nothing more than a few plain beds. The Treadwell’s had about four female servants living with them most of who were of Irish decent.
When the eighth Treadwell child died in 1933, the house was bought by a distant family member who wanted to preserve the history held within. Since then, the house has been deemed a landmark and cannot be demolished. Overall, I enjoyed the experience of the museum. I really loved the décor and the garden. Even though the family no longer lives here, you could still feel their presence.
At the end of our tour, we thanked Bill and headed off to Washington Square Park which is considered the heart of Greenwich Village. Upon arrival, we examined the arch at the park’s entrance which was modeled after the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. On the left side, George Washington stands as a general at war and on the right, he is at peace. According to the Blue Guide, “the present marble arch represents the centennial of George Washington’s inauguration” (p. 131). The park was filled with all types of people and had several musicians and other entertainers.
The class then headed to St. Mark’s Place to have lunch. All types of restaurants and bars lined the streets. One that caught my attention was Japadog, which served up hot dogs with crazy toppings that are notorious in Japan. However, four other classmates and I decided to eat at a Mexican restaurant called La Palapa. The items seemed really interesting but I decided to play it safe and get a chicken quesadilla.
After lunch, we headed to our final destination of the day at the Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space in the East Village. The inside of the museum was pretty cool and it had a lot of pictures of what New York City used to look like in the 60s and 70s when many buildings were being torn down. Our tour guide, who also happened to be named Bill, said that the purpose of the museum was to document the living culture of NYC. Bill began by telling us that the East Village used to be considered a bad place to be. Many of the buildings were being abandoned by landlords and set on fire. This occurred because of a fiscal crisis happening in New York during the 70s which resulted in the city implementing “planned shrinkage” in certain areas. Vacant buildings attracted outcasts and rebels who became known as squatters. He also spoke to us about the community gardens which were originally tenement buildings turned to rubble. In 1978, the Green Thumb Program was
initiated to start the gardens in the vacant spaces. By the late 80s, yuppies were starting to invade the area and wanted the properties in which the squatters were residing, forcing them to leave. To end, Bill told us of the riots that occurred in Tompkins Square Park which was caused by tension between various ethnic groups in the area. Class warfare contributed the major riots and fights between the police and civilians. The tour was very in depth and gave a sense of how this area is evolving. I though the gardens represented a nice way for everyone to get to know each other and instill a sense of belonging. Most amusing and ingenious were the recycled bottles and gadgets that were used in place of barbed wire.
Our day ended by heading to the Big Gay Ice Cream Shop. Although I did not purchase one, I heard from my peers that the Salty Pimp cone was quite delicious. I guess I’ll have to come back to try it for myself.
In all, the day was not nearly as fun as the last two but still informative. I’ve been to this area of the city several times, but I feel that I have a greater appreciation for the significance and history that it has to offer.
East of the Park
9-27-13
Today marked the fourth Gotham class and we headed to East Harlem, more affectionately known as “El Barrio.” We were fortunate again to have beautiful, cool autumn weather which was perfect for our trek through the neighborhood as well as through much of Central park. After meeting at Penn Station, the group headed off to take the uptown number 1 train to 42nd street where we caught the shuttle train to get to the east side of Manhattan. This was my first time using the shuttle.
Getting off at Grand Central, we took the express uptown 5 train to 86th street and the transferred to a 6 train to get to 103rd street. I’m very familiar with this train and the neighborhood because I used to be a volunteer at Mt. Sinai hospital which is located between Madison and 5th Avenues from 98th to 102nd street.
Exiting the subway, we were briefly informed by Mike and Meritta about the history of East Harlem. Prior to WWI, the town was comprised of mainly German and Italian immigrants. Remnants of this can be seen in the various shops and restaurants. After the war, there was an influx of Puerto Ricans who have since made this place their own. Crime and unemployment crippled the neighborhood during the 60s and 70s, but it has since turned around and even shows signs of gentrification. In the 90s there was a Caribbean influx which has increased the diversity.
Our first stop was the Museum of the City of New York, located across from Central Park on 5th avenue between 103rd and 104th streets. Entering, I was taken by
surprise by the beautiful chandelier that hung in front of a small winding staircase. We first explored an art exhibit on the ground floor by Janet Ruttenberg. A majority of the pieces were very beautiful and vibrant paintings of Central Park which I thought captured the essence of the park quite well. Next, we moved upstairs to an exhibit on the activism that has taken place throughout NYC’s history. Everything from slavery, gay rights, women’s suffrage and preserving city landmarks was documented here. One of the most recent incidents that caught my attention instantly was the protest to build an Islamic center called Park 51 near the World Trade Center site. The project was intended to help foster interreligious communication and understanding, but many felt that building a mosque near Ground Zero was offensive to the victims who died on September 11th. I think the outrage over building the Islamic Center would not have been so great had the planners waited maybe a few more years. The pain and suffering of that day remains strong in many New Yorkers.
Next, we viewed a thirty minute movie called Timescapes that gave a brief history of New York City. It was almost unbelievable to see the images of New York City comprised of just grass and trees. I was also surprised to see just how fast the city seemed to expand and grow after it was colonized by the Dutch and then the English. It seems as though the City has always been a place of rapid change and great economic expansion. I was also shocked to see how very different the lives of people were during the 19th and early 20th century. The poor immigrants had very difficult lives compared to the wealthy. Another part that caught my attention
was the rapid decline of the city that occurred during the 60s and 70s. The clips showing the rows of burnt building in the South Bronx were tough to face. At the end, the video wrapped up by emphasizing the great resilience of the City after facing 9/11 and the great change that is happening as a result of increased immigration and diversity. Overall, I enjoyed the movie and though it highlighted the history of the city without being boring.
Our next stop was at the Museo del Barrio, just a few blocks down on 5th avenue. Here, we met with our tour guides and split into two groups. My group’s guide, Manuela, first gave us a brief history of the museum. Originating in a classroom during the Civil Rights era, the goal of the museum was to give Puerto Rican youth a sense of their culture. The museum moved around many places until it settled in its current location at the Heckcher building, which used to be an orphanage. We then ventured to 106th and Park Avenue to the Graffiti Hall of Fame located in a school playground. The works were done legally by a graffiti crew and is protected from outside vandalism. It reminded me very much of 5Pointz. The pieces were very colorful and wild.
Next, we stopped at a beautiful mosaic of Julia de Burgos done by Manny Vega in 2006. Julia de Burgos was a Puerto Rican poet and political activist who died in East Harlem in 1953. She remains one of the most important figures in this community. Manny Vega is an artist of Puerto Rican descent who lived in El Barrio. His choice of doing mosaic pieces was done so that the elements of nature would not alter his work significantly. We also viewed another one of his pieces a few blocks away from the first one which showed different Gods from various religions. All of the mosaics are very intricate and have interesting textures. It is quite obvious that a lot of patience and artistic vision went into doing each one. The last place Manuela took us was a community garden dedicated to the women of El Barrio. A mosaic fountain shaped like fallopian tubes stood at the center. I thought it was a very creative way to symbolize the femininity of the garden. At the back of the park on the side of a building, was a painting done by artist Yasmin Hernandez of Julia de Burgos and Frida Kahlo, a famous female painter from Mexico. We were very fortunate to bump into Yasmin Hernandez who happened to be giving a tour of her own at the very same time.
To end our tour of El Barrio, Mike took us to a religious shop called La Botanica. Inside the tiny space, the walls were filled with statues of different Gods, candles, incense, oils, beads and other strange objects. The owner of the shop told us that he and his family have been serving the area for many years, providing holistic remedies for the Hispanic population. Unfortunately, due to high prices for rent, he has been forced to move from one place to the next. Although I do not personally believe in such remedies and practices, I respect the work that the owner has done in helping the members of El Barrio and hope that his shop survives the massive gentrification that will soon envelop this place.
At this point, we all split up for lunch. Mike recommended a Caribbean place called El Nuevo Caribeno Restaurant that had reasonable prices. I went in with several of my classmates who seemed excited at first, but were frightened by the unusual cuisine, and left. I decided to stay behind and give it a try, and I was quite happy with that decision. I ordered a plate of beans and rice with rotisserie chicken and it was absolutely one of the best things I have eaten! I saw that they had some stews and other assortments, but I decided chicken would be the safest. I would love to come back some time and try other items on their menu.
After lunch, I headed to Central park before meeting with my class back at El Museo del Barrio. Plugging in my headphones and turning on Pandora, I took several snapshots of the serene water and soaked in some rays while letting my food digest. Finally gathering with my class, we then headed off on our journey through Central Park. The park was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead. According to the Blue Guide, “The design of Central Park embodies this social consciousness, and the belief in a common green space accessible to all…” His vision was to have a place for people to come and relax that everyone could enjoy. (p. 284).
Our first stop was at the Conservatory Garden which is adorned at the entrance by the exquisite Vanderbilt gate. This is one of my absolute favorite places in Central Park because it is so peaceful and quiet (most of the time). In addition to the beautiful flowers, there are benches in every crevice of the space which make it cozy and romantic. I also love the fountain in the center which always seems to have a photographer hovering around it.
Moving along, we made our way to the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir. Mike told us that this used to be the main source of water for the City, but is now kept just as a backup. Supposedly, it can supply the entire city for about 2 weeks. Walking around the perimeter of the reservoir, we took in the great views of the park and the water. We all got a good laugh from the bird who decided to take a poo in the water as we watched him (or her?).
As we continued, we made a quick stop at a restroom past the Shakespeare Garden and headed over to the west side of the park. On 72nd street, we stopped in front of the Dakota building which was where John Lennon resided and was murdered. The Park designated a portion of its space called Strawberry Field after a Beatles song to honor him.
With only a few more blocks until we completed the entire length of the Park, many of us, including myself were getting tired. Taking a break in our makeshift classroom on the grass, Mike inquired as to our feelings about the day so far. Many agreed that the tour of El Barrio and the video of the history of New York were pretty interesting and definitely made up for last week.
Finally, we arrive at the end of the park at 59th street. I often go to Central Park, but this was the first time I traversed the entire length of it and more! Our day
was not over yet though. We made our way over to midtown and viewed the grand Plaza hotel, Tiffany's, and FAO Schwarz. By this point, I honestly did not have
the energy to appreciate the grandeur of any of these places. Perhaps I’ll have to come back on my own time when I’m not so tired to fully appreciate them. We
ended our class at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, which sadly was undergoing some kind of maintenance or construction, so we could not see the real thing.
As the group split up once again to head home, I decided to take a pit stop at Starbucks before heading on the F train home. Sipping my pumpkin spice latte, I pondered the events of the day on my journey back to Queens.
I really enjoyed this day and learned a lot about the culture and history of El Barrio. Although I thought I knew the neighborhood, it turns out that I had much to understand about this dynamic place. Walking through the entirety of Central Park has given me a great sense of pride as a New Yorker, just as crossing the Brooklyn Bridge did in the second class. I hope the next class is just as adventurous as this one.