East Harlem
How much I felt like home here. I absolutely identified with East Harlem. This is an area going through gentrification…this is the "Bario"-an area populated by Latinos, just like home…
We started off by getting to understand a bit more about the Carver Houses, which is another name for section 8 houses. The idea of The Projects started in the 1950's. The idea was to put all the poor together into a really big space. This created a really problematic social pathology because it developed drugs, fights, crimes and teen pregnancies. It became a horrific area because of how it developed…very quickly its founders can see that this was not really the ideal way to deal with the poor.
The poor should learn from the values of the middle class and in order to do that it was necessary to create smaller areas of section 8 housing and integrate them into middle class neighborhood. (ENY-81)
We started off by getting to understand a bit more about the Carver Houses, which is another name for section 8 houses. The idea of The Projects started in the 1950's. The idea was to put all the poor together into a really big space. This created a really problematic social pathology because it developed drugs, fights, crimes and teen pregnancies. It became a horrific area because of how it developed…very quickly its founders can see that this was not really the ideal way to deal with the poor.
The poor should learn from the values of the middle class and in order to do that it was necessary to create smaller areas of section 8 housing and integrate them into middle class neighborhood. (ENY-81)
The next stop of our day was the Museum of The City of NY. Once there, we watched an amazing movie about the history of New York and how it all begun. I lived here for years and never knew any of what I learned, awesome, quick and fast way to get to know how everything came together. I heard many pieces of information, some were really intriguing like … the Dutch bought the land for $24 from the natives at the time… the Brooklyn Heights was the very first suburbs created… people no longer lived where they worked, that is what Wall Street helped start… the "Ladies' Mile" was the shopping paradise for women back then creating an outside mall experience for every taste...
Many things captured me in so many ways as we walked through the streets… We walked by a place that had a sign saying "Become your Dream"…and we were asked if we had become our dreams, if we were now what we had dreamed to be as children, what was our story? how is our personal story being told?
We also learned about the activism in East Harlem and the "Garbage Offense", where there was just so much trash in the streets of Harlem because of the lack of trash pick up. One night the residents of Harlem decided to act, to pick up all the garbage and put in the very middle of 3rd Ave so the government would take offense and get the message.
We also learned about the activism in East Harlem and the "Garbage Offense", where there was just so much trash in the streets of Harlem because of the lack of trash pick up. One night the residents of Harlem decided to act, to pick up all the garbage and put in the very middle of 3rd Ave so the government would take offense and get the message.
Community Gardens are a great part of the culture in East Harlem, it is like finding a space in nature in the middle of the chaotic city. This area used to be heavily populated by Porto Ricans, but this being the immigrant community that it is has embraced many Mexicans in the past 30 years. Many wandered how did the Porto Ricans and the Mexicans got along?
To answer that question, a garden was created to represent that communion. In this garden there is a painting on the wall named: "The strength of matriarc in the community", painted by Yasmina Hernandez. It depicts Frida Galo and Julia De Burgos (she died of heart failure on 6th st and only 34 years of age). The painting has 3 little fetuses, because each one of the women, including the artist that painted the mural lost a baby.
We were all invited to think deep about our community and what makes it so special to each of us. The people. The most important thing about a community is the people that makes it, we are all part of it.
To answer that question, a garden was created to represent that communion. In this garden there is a painting on the wall named: "The strength of matriarc in the community", painted by Yasmina Hernandez. It depicts Frida Galo and Julia De Burgos (she died of heart failure on 6th st and only 34 years of age). The painting has 3 little fetuses, because each one of the women, including the artist that painted the mural lost a baby.
We were all invited to think deep about our community and what makes it so special to each of us. The people. The most important thing about a community is the people that makes it, we are all part of it.
There is also the amazing story of Don Jorge. His little store named "Justo Botanica" was founded by his father, mother and aunt. He claims that the main business of the store is hope… we all go through changes, we must be strong and have strength, we should never forget our roots, we need to learn to speak out and listen to advice as well. His message is clear and to the point, it reaches home easily.
From there we headed to Central Park. Before this magnificent area came to be there was a lot of pollution, gangs and violence. The residents need a place to go, a place to scape from it all, to have peace. At first people seemed this resting place at cemeteries. When they wanted quiet, cemeteries were the place to go to hang out.
Central Park was built on settlements and slams. Many Africans and Irishes were removed from the area in order to clear space so this park could be here today. Designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, this marvelous beuaty in the middle of chaos reigned in the past with grace and still does till today.
From there we headed to Central Park. Before this magnificent area came to be there was a lot of pollution, gangs and violence. The residents need a place to go, a place to scape from it all, to have peace. At first people seemed this resting place at cemeteries. When they wanted quiet, cemeteries were the place to go to hang out.
Central Park was built on settlements and slams. Many Africans and Irishes were removed from the area in order to clear space so this park could be here today. Designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, this marvelous beuaty in the middle of chaos reigned in the past with grace and still does till today.
West Side
We started off by walking through Broadway and time Square. Broadway was originally an indian trail… one of the most important streets of NY, it runs diagonally (different from the straight patterns of all other streets). ENY 32. Originally being used mainly for cars, this street was not really used by pedestrians, however, under Bloomberg administration, there was a shift on the way Broadway worked. The stretch of Broadway became a pedestrian zone, the shopping areas were created and it brought many people to experience Broadway in a different way. Originally people thought that the idea was going to be a complete disaster. They saw the pedestrian zones as threatening to businesses however, the opposite happened. ENY33. The lingering pedestrians increased the economy in the area. People would stop to hang out, eat, increasing the influx of people in and out of stores.
Time Square is just a really busy area. It originally was called Long Acre Square, taking after the London's Carriage Center. ENY33. A very dangerous area in the 1980's. However, in the 1920's it was a city attraction, growing and improving really fast. Then the Great Depression hit and the area became a center for sex, prostitution, and drugs. ENY33-34
Mayor Giuliani came in to power in the middle 1990' and was determined to change all of that. Turning Time Square into a "tourist wanna see" area. I was brought back to glory and became a very safe and developed area of NY City.
The international style buildings are predominant and have set backs, the reason for that is so that it does not create areas of complete shade without any sunlight due to the massive height of these buildings. Creating set backs allowed the buildings to be taller and taller. Also created area of common hang out for pedestrians because in order to build more and be higher in altitude, the buildings were forced to create plazas for pedestrians.
Time Square is just a really busy area. It originally was called Long Acre Square, taking after the London's Carriage Center. ENY33. A very dangerous area in the 1980's. However, in the 1920's it was a city attraction, growing and improving really fast. Then the Great Depression hit and the area became a center for sex, prostitution, and drugs. ENY33-34
Mayor Giuliani came in to power in the middle 1990' and was determined to change all of that. Turning Time Square into a "tourist wanna see" area. I was brought back to glory and became a very safe and developed area of NY City.
The international style buildings are predominant and have set backs, the reason for that is so that it does not create areas of complete shade without any sunlight due to the massive height of these buildings. Creating set backs allowed the buildings to be taller and taller. Also created area of common hang out for pedestrians because in order to build more and be higher in altitude, the buildings were forced to create plazas for pedestrians.
We ventured into the GE Building as well. In the very center of Rockefeller, is the home and base for NBC. A true ArtDeco masterpiece. Built with chromo details, in the 1950's. The inspiration for the design of this building was the thought of what the future was going to look like. Although I am not an NBC kind of person, I know that it features many shows such as "The Tonight Show" and "The Voice". There are amazing murals on the ceiling of the building representing men's search for the eternal truth the guidance go God ENY36.
MOMA was the next stop. I can't stress enough the fact that I just don't get it.ENY 39 As much as I tried, I do not understand Modern Art and I just don't like it. MOMA is the house to an impressive collection of important works of art from the 19th and 20th centuries. ENY39.
As it was said during our visit, drinking was a way to open up ones mind, therefore many of the artists were heavy drinkers. Some facts about the artists were interesting, however, their actual work was hard for me to understand.
Kooning, an European artist, from the Cubism paintings, was very poor. His paintings were many times done with house paint because it was cheaper. instead of canvas, cardboard was used. Anything to be able to express and create pieces of art. There were also the paintings of the atomic age, after the atomic bomb happened. the Bullseye painting for example is from this time period (early 60's). People at the time thought they were nothing more than targets, there was a lingering anxiety….some of the paintings are done with pieces of newspapers from the time and the use of wax and oil..collage.
There is also the book with all the pins and needles. "Pin Cushion" was found by a housekeeper at the time and put in the garbage. Later on that day, one of the artist's friend was walking outside and saw the piece of art out in the curb in a garbage bag. The actual artist thought it was funny and that it was the perfect response to his art.
As it was said during our visit, drinking was a way to open up ones mind, therefore many of the artists were heavy drinkers. Some facts about the artists were interesting, however, their actual work was hard for me to understand.
Kooning, an European artist, from the Cubism paintings, was very poor. His paintings were many times done with house paint because it was cheaper. instead of canvas, cardboard was used. Anything to be able to express and create pieces of art. There were also the paintings of the atomic age, after the atomic bomb happened. the Bullseye painting for example is from this time period (early 60's). People at the time thought they were nothing more than targets, there was a lingering anxiety….some of the paintings are done with pieces of newspapers from the time and the use of wax and oil..collage.
There is also the book with all the pins and needles. "Pin Cushion" was found by a housekeeper at the time and put in the garbage. Later on that day, one of the artist's friend was walking outside and saw the piece of art out in the curb in a garbage bag. The actual artist thought it was funny and that it was the perfect response to his art.
Morningside Heights was our next stop. Guided by Jim who was able to explain and define areas for us. The Cathedral of St. John the Divine was breath-taken and unreal. So far my favorite of all stops since the class started. As Jim explained, the Cathedral keeps on building through the generations, as a work in progress…The inside was surreal and so was all the columns and sculptures outside. ENY71
It is so grandiose, it can seat up to 3000 people at any given time. ENY70 The church brought me back in time to the churches back home, because my country is over 500 years old and all the churches were kept and restore from centuries ago, just like this Cathedral. Was also interesting to know that Harry Potter movies were filmed here as well as Elton John's 60th birthday celebration.
It is so grandiose, it can seat up to 3000 people at any given time. ENY70 The church brought me back in time to the churches back home, because my country is over 500 years old and all the churches were kept and restore from centuries ago, just like this Cathedral. Was also interesting to know that Harry Potter movies were filmed here as well as Elton John's 60th birthday celebration.
We explored Columbia University after. My mind went wild. I wish I had applied myself enough to be able to attend that University. Amazing to just be there to look I can't imagine what it must feel like to be a student there. I always hear "Columbia University" and now I know what everyone is talking about. Breath-taking. Originally stabilized in Manhattan at 1754 as King's College and after the Revolution changed its name to Columbia. ENY 72The campus was designed by McKim, Mead and White.
After we walked to General Grant National Memorial. A beautiful tomb built out of white granite. "Let us have peace" ENY74 is written at the very top of the structure. Not only Grant but his wife was also placed here after their death. From here we walked to the Riverside Church, which really did not compare at all to St. John's Cathedral. Riverside Church is the tallest in United State. I was built in 1927 and was based on the Notre Dame de Laon in France ENY75
Ending our day, we walked to Hamilton Heights. There we visited the City College of New York. Built in 1847, it was the first free academy in the country and has received the most Nobel Prizes in the world. The buildings have the locals stones that were extracted from the subways lines as they were being built. The college is now part of the CUNY (City University ofNew York) educational system and is recognized for being the first free public institution of higher education in the United States. ENY, PDF
After we walked to General Grant National Memorial. A beautiful tomb built out of white granite. "Let us have peace" ENY74 is written at the very top of the structure. Not only Grant but his wife was also placed here after their death. From here we walked to the Riverside Church, which really did not compare at all to St. John's Cathedral. Riverside Church is the tallest in United State. I was built in 1927 and was based on the Notre Dame de Laon in France ENY75
Ending our day, we walked to Hamilton Heights. There we visited the City College of New York. Built in 1847, it was the first free academy in the country and has received the most Nobel Prizes in the world. The buildings have the locals stones that were extracted from the subways lines as they were being built. The college is now part of the CUNY (City University ofNew York) educational system and is recognized for being the first free public institution of higher education in the United States. ENY, PDF
Lower Manhattan
The lower Manhattan! Well the Dutch West India Company started it all…ENY13 That becomes clear once we start walking throughout the streets of lower Manhattan. Religion was profit, not only praying. Once we get out of Pen Station we start our walk down thru Broadway were we see the very first building that gets the tittle of "The Tallest" back in 1913. "The Woolworth Building opens, becoming the world's tallest building." ENY27
Down a little further on Broadway we stop at Saint Paul's Episcopal Chapel of the Trinity Parish, very interesting site. It gives a mixed feeling of being a church and a memorial at the same time. Once we walked in we saw enourmous amounts of 9/11 memorabilia and other artifacts that remembers those who were lost. This Chapel was opened in 1764 and it is the oldest working building in NY. It was designed by architect McBean and now is a landmark. When 9/11 happened, rescuers would come to rest at this chapel. The only reason why everything around the chapel got destroyed but not the church itself was an old sycamore tree. The chapel and every grave stone around was untouched, the roots of this tree are at display now on Trinity Church. It has been casted in bronze to preserve it.
City Hall is the next stop, however on our way there we see the NY City Municipal Building... The very first skyscraper. This French Renaissance Revival architecture building took my breath away. It was built by William Kendall, and as it shows on the pictures above, there is a very large statue (the third largest in NY) representing Manhattan, its called "The Civic Fame". She holds a crown that has five prongs that represents the five boroughs. We did not get to go inside of the building however, we walked underneath its arches and admired the beautiful tiles on the ceilings of its arches. Called Guastavino.
The City Hall. Here we meet a guide that takes us inside. Our first room to check it out is the Governor's Room. Amazing! Completely painted with french green colors, the room still has all the furnishings from the 1800's. The walls are surrounded by enourmous portraits painted by John Trumbull. Before all other buildings were constructed around it used to have views of the Atlantic Ocean…
The building is a landmark now for the city of NY and its easy to see why. The room is so magnificent that it is used as a reception hall for extremely important occasions. George Washington's desk still in the room as well. The next room we saw was the City Council Chamber room. Here there are active hearings that are conducted in order to pass or push bills through that are of public interest. Thomas Jefferson statue is located at the left of the build, it is life size and made of paper marche...
The stair case, the floors, the dome above as we walk the stairs are overwhelmingly beautiful and it looks like as if from a move set.
The building is a landmark now for the city of NY and its easy to see why. The room is so magnificent that it is used as a reception hall for extremely important occasions. George Washington's desk still in the room as well. The next room we saw was the City Council Chamber room. Here there are active hearings that are conducted in order to pass or push bills through that are of public interest. Thomas Jefferson statue is located at the left of the build, it is life size and made of paper marche...
The stair case, the floors, the dome above as we walk the stairs are overwhelmingly beautiful and it looks like as if from a move set.
We headed to the 9/11 Memorial, which I had seen before. The new Freedom Tower being built is going to be the tallest building in NY city. The reflexion pools as they are called represent the emptiness left in place of those who were lost. A very crowded site as all tourists are interested in finding out what it was done to honor those that were lost.
Wall street was also on the agenda as we walked our way into the financial district. We passed thru the Zucotti Park where there was a really big protest happening not too many years ago where the residents were advocating about the inadequate and unequal finances of the population.
Trinity Church we got to see the actual sycamore tree roots in bronze located on the left side of the building. This church was the very first skyscraper of NY - kind of hard to believe if you actually see it, because its not tall at all compared to the surrounding buildings). The very first church that stood there was burnt, the second was destroyed by a storm and the third still erected for now.
We then went to take a ferry to Governor's Island, which by fa was my very favorite so far in this class. It took us about 10 minutes to get there. Used before as a military base the island is beautiful and has the cannons to remind us of its past. Me and my nursing friends were crazy enough to rent this cool bike/car as you can see in the pictures below. I never laughed so much! We had an amazing time. We had some lunch and then we got to lay on the hammock garden on the sun….I didn't want to leave.
Back into the city we passed through Battery Park, which at one point was home to a battery of cannons used to protect the shores of NY.
Our last stop wasn't really my favorite. It was the Fraunces Tavern on Pearl St. Here George Washington proclaimed his very last words to his man. On the first floor it was a restaurant and second floor had some memorabilia and on the very last floor there women dressed to represent the era. they were acting and singing. Mike really liked as per the picture bellow where he is tapping his shoes as the lady sang.
Wall street was also on the agenda as we walked our way into the financial district. We passed thru the Zucotti Park where there was a really big protest happening not too many years ago where the residents were advocating about the inadequate and unequal finances of the population.
Trinity Church we got to see the actual sycamore tree roots in bronze located on the left side of the building. This church was the very first skyscraper of NY - kind of hard to believe if you actually see it, because its not tall at all compared to the surrounding buildings). The very first church that stood there was burnt, the second was destroyed by a storm and the third still erected for now.
We then went to take a ferry to Governor's Island, which by fa was my very favorite so far in this class. It took us about 10 minutes to get there. Used before as a military base the island is beautiful and has the cannons to remind us of its past. Me and my nursing friends were crazy enough to rent this cool bike/car as you can see in the pictures below. I never laughed so much! We had an amazing time. We had some lunch and then we got to lay on the hammock garden on the sun….I didn't want to leave.
Back into the city we passed through Battery Park, which at one point was home to a battery of cannons used to protect the shores of NY.
Our last stop wasn't really my favorite. It was the Fraunces Tavern on Pearl St. Here George Washington proclaimed his very last words to his man. On the first floor it was a restaurant and second floor had some memorabilia and on the very last floor there women dressed to represent the era. they were acting and singing. Mike really liked as per the picture bellow where he is tapping his shoes as the lady sang.
Lower East Side
This area was originally occupied by massive amounts of Germans, Irish people and also Italians. Once the Williamsburg Bridge was completed in the area it became the Jewish Highway because all the Jews from Lower Manhattan came over to the East side. All these people needed a place to live so they all settled into Dalancey St and Essex St. Into the streets the immigrants settled into what it was called tenements which were nothing more than : "a room or a set of rooms forming a separate residence within a house or block of apartments" (google). One of the buildings were the tenement was located became what is known today as the Tenement Museum on 105 Orchard St. A tour guide then showed us around. I got to see the residence of a German family and a residence of a Italian family.
The tenements had no running water and no bathrooms. Also for most of the years, no electricity as well. The only source of water was out back of the building in between two bathrooms that were shared by all the families occupying the tenements. The only form of heat was the coal burning stoves. Air quality was very poor in the building because they only had one window per tenement and the rooms were very small and dark. There were 20 families sharing the building and the horrible leaving conditions.
After some years passed there was a law put in place in 1901 that required that the tenements all had indoor plumbing, and 2 bathrooms per floor. Also, fire ladders to scape were mandated. Every floor had to have them. 1900's they added another criteria to be complied by the landlords, the rooms must have windows.
The tour guide shared with us the story of the two families and how they came to the US in search for better lives and ended up living in the tenements. Two amazing stories reminding me of my own and the reasons why I left my country at the age of fifteen.
The tenements had no running water and no bathrooms. Also for most of the years, no electricity as well. The only source of water was out back of the building in between two bathrooms that were shared by all the families occupying the tenements. The only form of heat was the coal burning stoves. Air quality was very poor in the building because they only had one window per tenement and the rooms were very small and dark. There were 20 families sharing the building and the horrible leaving conditions.
After some years passed there was a law put in place in 1901 that required that the tenements all had indoor plumbing, and 2 bathrooms per floor. Also, fire ladders to scape were mandated. Every floor had to have them. 1900's they added another criteria to be complied by the landlords, the rooms must have windows.
The tour guide shared with us the story of the two families and how they came to the US in search for better lives and ended up living in the tenements. Two amazing stories reminding me of my own and the reasons why I left my country at the age of fifteen.
After the Tenement museum we were given directions on what to do.... the instructions took us all thru China Town where we got to smell the fish stands and savor the most amazing fruits...I was in heaven because the fruits I bought were just like the ones back in Brazil.
As you can see from the pictures, I really enjoyed walking thru this area. We ended up at a Buddhist Temple, where the smell of burning incenses was overwhelming but I kind of liked it! There were many Buddha Statues and little fortune scrolls. Also was very quiet in there...until we showed up that was.
We then headed to the restaurant called "Congee" where we sat on a round table with a "lazy Susan" in the middle. There we were fed to our hearts' content an array of many different dishes. From there we met guide Jim who took us for a tour of the East Lower Side.
We walked around and stopped at the very First Settlement house on Eldridge st. It was established in 1886. Passed by the Synagogue on Rivington st... built by Emery Roth, it looked completely abandoned and no longer in use.
Just when we were all exhausted and thought we could not go on anymore on that heat, 108 Rivington st came to the rescue. Economy Candy store was a paradise to eyes and so much to chose from. From there we walked to the Red Square apartments that featured a statue of Russian Lenin. We got to see the old Baptist Church - The Norfolk Riverside Church, we went thru Clinton st to see the St. Mary's Church. Interesting enough there was a butterfly that really acted different at this church...as you can see by the picture taken below, it liked Mike a lot.
St. Augustine Episcopal Church and 265 Henry St settlement were also on the agenda. This settlement had Lillian Wald a pioneer nurse helping to care for the sick. Lillian Wald was studied in detail by me and any other nurse student that have ever been thru Molloy College. she started the visiting nurse idea that is used till today's age.
This was a great course and I recommend to all my fellow students that have not yet been able to enjoy it!
As you can see from the pictures, I really enjoyed walking thru this area. We ended up at a Buddhist Temple, where the smell of burning incenses was overwhelming but I kind of liked it! There were many Buddha Statues and little fortune scrolls. Also was very quiet in there...until we showed up that was.
We then headed to the restaurant called "Congee" where we sat on a round table with a "lazy Susan" in the middle. There we were fed to our hearts' content an array of many different dishes. From there we met guide Jim who took us for a tour of the East Lower Side.
We walked around and stopped at the very First Settlement house on Eldridge st. It was established in 1886. Passed by the Synagogue on Rivington st... built by Emery Roth, it looked completely abandoned and no longer in use.
Just when we were all exhausted and thought we could not go on anymore on that heat, 108 Rivington st came to the rescue. Economy Candy store was a paradise to eyes and so much to chose from. From there we walked to the Red Square apartments that featured a statue of Russian Lenin. We got to see the old Baptist Church - The Norfolk Riverside Church, we went thru Clinton st to see the St. Mary's Church. Interesting enough there was a butterfly that really acted different at this church...as you can see by the picture taken below, it liked Mike a lot.
St. Augustine Episcopal Church and 265 Henry St settlement were also on the agenda. This settlement had Lillian Wald a pioneer nurse helping to care for the sick. Lillian Wald was studied in detail by me and any other nurse student that have ever been thru Molloy College. she started the visiting nurse idea that is used till today's age.
This was a great course and I recommend to all my fellow students that have not yet been able to enjoy it!
My final thoughts...
What a journey this one was…many exhausting days, hot, humid, but definitely worth the experience.I saw so much and I learned things I never imagine about New York. "There are so many interesting historic, cultural, and artistic sites in New York City that even longtime residents probably haven't experienced all that the city has to offer."ENY9
So many of the places we passed I can't wait to share with my family, The Tenement Museum held a big spot in my heart…perhaps because I to am an immigrant that came into the US trying to make a better life and I too went through so many struggles and ended sharing a room with many people in "hostels" before I was able to make it. The grass seems greener on the other side, however the truth tends to always be very different then what we think.
NY city is charming, inviting, and perhaps it kind of hugs a bit too tight. I say that because although it always has something to offer, something to do, it can become intoxicating. The go, go, go non-stop, 24-7 is great to come and visit and enjoy it for the day…but I could never in a million years live like this. I need to stop and take the time to smell the roses, sip my coffee and not see people surrounding me every where I look.
I am thankful that I had the opportunity to get to know all the "essentials of New York" but I am also happy I don't live in the ,idle of it.
So many of the places we passed I can't wait to share with my family, The Tenement Museum held a big spot in my heart…perhaps because I to am an immigrant that came into the US trying to make a better life and I too went through so many struggles and ended sharing a room with many people in "hostels" before I was able to make it. The grass seems greener on the other side, however the truth tends to always be very different then what we think.
NY city is charming, inviting, and perhaps it kind of hugs a bit too tight. I say that because although it always has something to offer, something to do, it can become intoxicating. The go, go, go non-stop, 24-7 is great to come and visit and enjoy it for the day…but I could never in a million years live like this. I need to stop and take the time to smell the roses, sip my coffee and not see people surrounding me every where I look.
I am thankful that I had the opportunity to get to know all the "essentials of New York" but I am also happy I don't live in the ,idle of it.