5. el barrio/Central park
6. midtown/morningside heights
7. lower manhattan/governor's island
On Wednesday July 23, 2014, the class returned to
Lower Manhattan as Mike pointed out, ’The Bowel of the City’, this is Battery
Par. We arrived here via subway from our famous place of departure, Penn
Station. This area was considered the uptown in 1700s. The class gathered on
the ground of the oldest church in the city, St Paul’s Chapel, product of the
famous Manhattan schist. Mike held his lecture next to the fading headstones
directly in front of the chapel that has miraculously survived two disasters,
the Great Fire in September, 1776 and the September 11, 2001 terrorist act.
What a coincident? Both tragedy happened in the month of September. Mike
mentioned that he chapel was protected from the 9/11 attack by a large tree which
we will see later. We walked further into the Bowel of the City where we were
surrounded by several architectural styles (Federal, Greek Revival, Gothic Revival,
Beaux/Classical Revival, Modernist/post-Modernist) from the 1600s to 1900s
including Woolworth building, the tallest building then, the City Hall that
being renovated, Federal Court House, Federal Building 1with the classical
Guastavino's titles that Mike would die for. The Guastavino tiles were used in the 1800s to
hold up the building's arch and sometimes roofs. It can be found in Coney Island and under the 59th street bridge. Mike made sure that everyone in the class recognized
at least one architectural style. The Molloy page that you presently see was
taken in this very spot (five point) in front of the Federal Court House. Mike also mentioned that this is where
thousands of Africans died and buried. There is a monument in the middle of
five point that depicts the slave ship. Mike also mentioned the riot that took
place between the Irish and blacks as well as the Jazz music that derived right
at five point from a mixture of Irish and African blend.
We headed across the street to Duane Street by the African Burial ground. I recall in the early 1990s there was a very controversial issue brought to the public’s attention the remains of African slaves was found during the excavation. There was an outrage and protest to stop the federal building. During that time, I did not thought much of it but here I am today, twenty four years later, given the opportunity by the Molloy Gotham Class to experience such an awesome yet emotional experience. I was deeply saddened by the 20 minutes documentary that presented the horrible and brutal lives of the Africans people who were considered non-human. Historians approximated 15 – 20 thousands Africans died and buried on this location (http://www.nps.gov/afbg/index.htm).
Our next stop was ground zero, another sad memory but quite different from the first. This senseless act of terrorist left me with sense of empowerment. The city bonded in numbers and rebuild stronger than ever. Kathy and I took pictures by the two memorial fountains and by the only surviving tree. The Freedom Tower stand tall for everyone to see from near and far. This is a classical display of strength, courage and bravery NOT defeat. This will be long remembered. The class took a break to have lunch in the Battery Park Market. It was way less chaotic than Chelsea Market but Chelsea Market gets an A+ for my lobster sandwich over my Battery Park burrito.
On our way to Governor’s Island, Mike pointed out more Architectural styles along the way. I would hope by now each person can recognize at least the Modernist style verses an Art Deco style. We stopped by the Trinity Church that house the great big root of the tree that protected St Paul’s Chapel during 9/11 attack. From there we rushed to catch the 4 o’clock ferry to Governor’s Island. On the Island, Emily our guide gave us brief history of the old Amy fort. Kathleen was disappointed she didn’t get her bike however we utilized our short time relaxing in the hammocks. The day’s experience ended at the Battery Marine Building where we dispersed to our individual destination, home.
We headed across the street to Duane Street by the African Burial ground. I recall in the early 1990s there was a very controversial issue brought to the public’s attention the remains of African slaves was found during the excavation. There was an outrage and protest to stop the federal building. During that time, I did not thought much of it but here I am today, twenty four years later, given the opportunity by the Molloy Gotham Class to experience such an awesome yet emotional experience. I was deeply saddened by the 20 minutes documentary that presented the horrible and brutal lives of the Africans people who were considered non-human. Historians approximated 15 – 20 thousands Africans died and buried on this location (http://www.nps.gov/afbg/index.htm).
Our next stop was ground zero, another sad memory but quite different from the first. This senseless act of terrorist left me with sense of empowerment. The city bonded in numbers and rebuild stronger than ever. Kathy and I took pictures by the two memorial fountains and by the only surviving tree. The Freedom Tower stand tall for everyone to see from near and far. This is a classical display of strength, courage and bravery NOT defeat. This will be long remembered. The class took a break to have lunch in the Battery Park Market. It was way less chaotic than Chelsea Market but Chelsea Market gets an A+ for my lobster sandwich over my Battery Park burrito.
On our way to Governor’s Island, Mike pointed out more Architectural styles along the way. I would hope by now each person can recognize at least the Modernist style verses an Art Deco style. We stopped by the Trinity Church that house the great big root of the tree that protected St Paul’s Chapel during 9/11 attack. From there we rushed to catch the 4 o’clock ferry to Governor’s Island. On the Island, Emily our guide gave us brief history of the old Amy fort. Kathleen was disappointed she didn’t get her bike however we utilized our short time relaxing in the hammocks. The day’s experience ended at the Battery Marine Building where we dispersed to our individual destination, home.
8. jewish immigrant-delancy
9. my experience overview
As I reflect on my Gotham experience, I concluded
with a powerful sense of appreciation for the City of New York. It is rear, chaotic,
beautiful and interesting. It is incomparably to others cities I have visited. This experience have
taken me to places that I did not know exist, things I never dreamed to see. and emotions I never thought I would express. I
have gained a wealth of knowledge especially being able to recognize different
architectural styles, learning about gentrification (my famous new word) and
actually able to see evidence of it. I learn to appreciate every part of New
York City including the chaos in Chelsea Market to the busiest intersection in
the world, Time Square and to the most quiet and peaceful place like Brooklyn
Heights and Governor’s Island to the intimate community stories of El Barrio.
I learn that nothing should be taken for granted, every place, building and each community's story is important. Although the journey to some of these experience was challenging, it was worth the struggle. I did not share with anyone that I was afraid to cross bridges, however, crossing the Brooklyn Bridge has eradicated that fear. If you asked me to do it again, my answer would be, NO. I missed been hit by couple bikes while I struggled to stay on the white line that separates the pedestrians from the cyclists . I was desperately trying to stay away from overlooking the water. I kept focusing on the second tower on the Manhattan side until I finally I made it over. I never look back once during that walk. Hooray! I made it.
I am going the miss Mike’s daily phrases such as 'Oh my God! This is going to knock your sock off. This is going to blow your mind. Come closer, don’t block the sideway. Let’s wait for those slacker’. Thank you Mike and Damian for such a wonderful experience. This class was worth taking and I highly recommend it to anyone who needs a COR class at Molloy College.
I learn that nothing should be taken for granted, every place, building and each community's story is important. Although the journey to some of these experience was challenging, it was worth the struggle. I did not share with anyone that I was afraid to cross bridges, however, crossing the Brooklyn Bridge has eradicated that fear. If you asked me to do it again, my answer would be, NO. I missed been hit by couple bikes while I struggled to stay on the white line that separates the pedestrians from the cyclists . I was desperately trying to stay away from overlooking the water. I kept focusing on the second tower on the Manhattan side until I finally I made it over. I never look back once during that walk. Hooray! I made it.
I am going the miss Mike’s daily phrases such as 'Oh my God! This is going to knock your sock off. This is going to blow your mind. Come closer, don’t block the sideway. Let’s wait for those slacker’. Thank you Mike and Damian for such a wonderful experience. This class was worth taking and I highly recommend it to anyone who needs a COR class at Molloy College.