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| Pastrami on Rye at Katz Deli |
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| Brooklyn Bridge at Sunset. |
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| Always good advice! |
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| Imagine all the people... |
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| In front of Strawberry Fields...forever. |
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| Beautiful Central Park |
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| The very common Irish Pirate. |
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| At the Yankees Game |
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| The Stoic Look |
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| Very Stoic. |
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
The last few days have been awesome. Keep that in mind while you are listening to my ramblings. In the last few days I have gone to places and eaten things that I never thought I would do. I also saw sights that are foreign, unexpected and different than anything I had hoped to see here in NYC.
In the last three days I have gotten the chance to really expand my cultural horizons. It was not always the easiest process. On Monday we got a chance to see the Tenement Museum. It was one of those moments when you can step back in time and live the life of another. The lives of those immigrants is something that is interesting, yet I would not want to live. Industrialisation was a period of change, of revolutionary proportions and it shows in the way that the tenement houses functioned. There was a simple elegance to the houses. Although at the same time there was a sense of the pride of the families and the cultural relevance of the period. The history of the houses and families was incredible and gives you real perspective into how life was lived a century ago. Our tour guide Dave Dallis (ZeDyallis) was amazing. He was a man passionate and dedicated to the history of not only the building, but New York in general. "Teachers don't work. Those guys work...(pointing to men hauling dry wall)" He was an amazing guide.
In the midst of this crazy day we went to Katz's Famous Deli. It was the greatest sandwich I have ever eaten. Over one pound of freshly made pastrami with spicy mustard and rye bread. I was salivating as I was looking at the walls to determine who all of the "celebrities" were. All sandwiches were piled high, delicious, mouth-watering delights. I only ate my own sandwich but the rest were worthy of eating. Everything from Pastrami, to Corned Beef to Tongue. They were all looking lovely and ready to be devoured.
That day we also went into Chinatown. It was a cultural shock (and awe). The stores were crazy, the streets full and the roadside stands sold fruits like Durian that are illegal in some areas because they smell so badly. I was surprised not to see people passed out around the stand. It was an interesting time. I ate candy that was flavored like "buttered corn" and it was the grossest thing I have ever eaten. It was a gelatinous, gross, mess of grossness. Then I also ate a candy in an nondescript cellophane wrapper that tasted like...gross. I did however eat dried crab, fish and kiwi which was amazing.
The following day we went to Harlem. It was one of the quietest, most quaint areas I have ever visited. There was a definite feeling of historical significance and the people were incredibly friendly (except for the crazy guy that yelled at us for getting in his space with a bag over his head). Looking at the hospital that Martin Luther King Jr. was rushed to after being stabbed and the YMCA that Malcolm X used to stay at was amazing. We also ate at Ms. Maude's restaurant and got authentic Southern food. Fried chicken, fried catfish, ribs, collard greens, yams, red beans and rice, corn bread and mac and cheese. We drank sodas, waters and lemonade out of mason jars...it was great. We also had got to eat potato pie and peach cobbler for dessert.
Later that day we went to Central Park. A Park amongst parks. Lots of people, its like a country within a city. Great experience to see the leisurely part of the busiest city in the world.
Today we went to Grant's Tomb. The Largest tomb in all of the Western Hemisphere. He may not have been the best president, but he has one of the largest tombs in all the world. Good for him!
In the last three days I have gotten the chance to really expand my cultural horizons. It was not always the easiest process. On Monday we got a chance to see the Tenement Museum. It was one of those moments when you can step back in time and live the life of another. The lives of those immigrants is something that is interesting, yet I would not want to live. Industrialisation was a period of change, of revolutionary proportions and it shows in the way that the tenement houses functioned. There was a simple elegance to the houses. Although at the same time there was a sense of the pride of the families and the cultural relevance of the period. The history of the houses and families was incredible and gives you real perspective into how life was lived a century ago. Our tour guide Dave Dallis (ZeDyallis) was amazing. He was a man passionate and dedicated to the history of not only the building, but New York in general. "Teachers don't work. Those guys work...(pointing to men hauling dry wall)" He was an amazing guide.
In the midst of this crazy day we went to Katz's Famous Deli. It was the greatest sandwich I have ever eaten. Over one pound of freshly made pastrami with spicy mustard and rye bread. I was salivating as I was looking at the walls to determine who all of the "celebrities" were. All sandwiches were piled high, delicious, mouth-watering delights. I only ate my own sandwich but the rest were worthy of eating. Everything from Pastrami, to Corned Beef to Tongue. They were all looking lovely and ready to be devoured.
That day we also went into Chinatown. It was a cultural shock (and awe). The stores were crazy, the streets full and the roadside stands sold fruits like Durian that are illegal in some areas because they smell so badly. I was surprised not to see people passed out around the stand. It was an interesting time. I ate candy that was flavored like "buttered corn" and it was the grossest thing I have ever eaten. It was a gelatinous, gross, mess of grossness. Then I also ate a candy in an nondescript cellophane wrapper that tasted like...gross. I did however eat dried crab, fish and kiwi which was amazing.
The following day we went to Harlem. It was one of the quietest, most quaint areas I have ever visited. There was a definite feeling of historical significance and the people were incredibly friendly (except for the crazy guy that yelled at us for getting in his space with a bag over his head). Looking at the hospital that Martin Luther King Jr. was rushed to after being stabbed and the YMCA that Malcolm X used to stay at was amazing. We also ate at Ms. Maude's restaurant and got authentic Southern food. Fried chicken, fried catfish, ribs, collard greens, yams, red beans and rice, corn bread and mac and cheese. We drank sodas, waters and lemonade out of mason jars...it was great. We also had got to eat potato pie and peach cobbler for dessert.
Later that day we went to Central Park. A Park amongst parks. Lots of people, its like a country within a city. Great experience to see the leisurely part of the busiest city in the world.
Today we went to Grant's Tomb. The Largest tomb in all of the Western Hemisphere. He may not have been the best president, but he has one of the largest tombs in all the world. Good for him!
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Well what a day! After waking up to finish my paper for EDU 715, you're welcome Professor Kopetski, I had a hearty and healthy breakfast down with my fellow teachers and we were off to learn and discover...like a child turned loose on the world. Our guides Ed O'Donnell and Charles C. Calhoun are incredibly insightful, humble, terrific men that dropped knowledge on us and inspired us to want to learn more.
After a brief walk, we boarded a ferry around the Statue of Liberty, she is quite lovely by the way, and then were on to Ellis Island. Ellis Island was an experience I will never forget. You cannot help but think of the immigrants that came to the country, after 3 or 4 weeks on the sea, to a land they didn't know and having to face the possibility that they would not make it through customs and would have to go back. The building itself has a strange inexplicable aura of eeriness. There is a quality of the sanitary feeling of the building that is haunting, hauntingly beautiful. It makes you think of the lives that started and those that were not allowed to continue in this country. The journeys that started, and those that came to a screeching halt. It was amazing. I spent hours walking alone, learning, reading, getting lost in the ambiance and beauty of the stories and the heartbreaking photos and details of the travels that stopped and the difficulties of these poor individuals.
After a great lunch which I was patted down by one colleague (thanks Ken), told I was a piece of meat (Thanks Matt), and told to "eat a cookie" because I looked malnourished (thanks Nicole). I really blame Tony Horton and P90X for that...for making me so svelte and awesome. It's a curse.
After returning to Manhattan we had a tremendously long, informational, amazing walk through and around Wall Street, a 14 foot tall George Washington, Alexander Hamilton's grave (he should have ducked), St. Paul's Church, the Bull, and eventually to the 9/11 Memorial.
The 9/11 Memorial is something I will never forget. It was somber, inspirational, quiet, tranquil and hopeful. There is a distinct beauty in the design and a indescribable quality of the companionship and togetherness that you feel with everyone else that is there. Yet, it feels like you are there alone in your own temple or shrine to not only those lost, but for America as a people. Again, I will never forget the time I was there. I was fortunate enough to find the name and commemoration for my cousin that was lost that day, Maile Hale. It was nice to see how well the memory of her and all others were preserved, it is classy, and approached in an elegant and respectful way.
It was a good, long day and I cannot wait for tomorrow. I get to see the tenement museum, and eat a sandwich at Katz Deli that will probably weigh 2 pounds. Bring on the Pastrami, Bring on the Corned Beef!
After a brief walk, we boarded a ferry around the Statue of Liberty, she is quite lovely by the way, and then were on to Ellis Island. Ellis Island was an experience I will never forget. You cannot help but think of the immigrants that came to the country, after 3 or 4 weeks on the sea, to a land they didn't know and having to face the possibility that they would not make it through customs and would have to go back. The building itself has a strange inexplicable aura of eeriness. There is a quality of the sanitary feeling of the building that is haunting, hauntingly beautiful. It makes you think of the lives that started and those that were not allowed to continue in this country. The journeys that started, and those that came to a screeching halt. It was amazing. I spent hours walking alone, learning, reading, getting lost in the ambiance and beauty of the stories and the heartbreaking photos and details of the travels that stopped and the difficulties of these poor individuals.
After a great lunch which I was patted down by one colleague (thanks Ken), told I was a piece of meat (Thanks Matt), and told to "eat a cookie" because I looked malnourished (thanks Nicole). I really blame Tony Horton and P90X for that...for making me so svelte and awesome. It's a curse.
After returning to Manhattan we had a tremendously long, informational, amazing walk through and around Wall Street, a 14 foot tall George Washington, Alexander Hamilton's grave (he should have ducked), St. Paul's Church, the Bull, and eventually to the 9/11 Memorial.
The 9/11 Memorial is something I will never forget. It was somber, inspirational, quiet, tranquil and hopeful. There is a distinct beauty in the design and a indescribable quality of the companionship and togetherness that you feel with everyone else that is there. Yet, it feels like you are there alone in your own temple or shrine to not only those lost, but for America as a people. Again, I will never forget the time I was there. I was fortunate enough to find the name and commemoration for my cousin that was lost that day, Maile Hale. It was nice to see how well the memory of her and all others were preserved, it is classy, and approached in an elegant and respectful way.
It was a good, long day and I cannot wait for tomorrow. I get to see the tenement museum, and eat a sandwich at Katz Deli that will probably weigh 2 pounds. Bring on the Pastrami, Bring on the Corned Beef!
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Well day one is officially coming to a close. A very tired close. It was an amazing day to start our journey throughout the streets of New York. It was a good, long 8 hour drive into the city where I had tremendous conversations with a fellow teacher (Ken) about life, baseball, children, traveling, food and at times our rambling chaotic minds racing and zipping from topic to topic with little rhyme or reason behind it. It was great!
Once in the city we were able to take the New York subway into Brooklyn, which was much nicer than I expected (the subway that is...I expected Brooklyn to be great, and it was!) We toured a park, saw a great monument to prisoners from the Revolution and walked around the city until we discovered Chateau Calhoun; one of the hidden gems of the city. From it's rich mahogany smell, it's many leather bound books and it's great ambiance in the garden area, we could not have asked for a better rest in our day. He truly is a scholar and a gentleman.
To end our night, we had a great sushi dinner at a restaurant that is so close to our hotel you could literally throw a rock and hit it if you were so inclined. I am not so inclined, so I will refrain.
Tomorrow is going to be a full day. Full of travel that is! Breakfast at 7am, on the road by 7:30 to see Ellis Island (Thinking of the Godfather II the whole way), then the 9/11 memorial amongst other sites. It will definitely be a fun-filled day with a group of great teachers and friends.
The history and culture of the city is apparent from every view, sight, smell and person that you encounter. Having never been to NYC before, I had high expectations; so far they have all been exceeded! I look forward to the next 5 days.
Once in the city we were able to take the New York subway into Brooklyn, which was much nicer than I expected (the subway that is...I expected Brooklyn to be great, and it was!) We toured a park, saw a great monument to prisoners from the Revolution and walked around the city until we discovered Chateau Calhoun; one of the hidden gems of the city. From it's rich mahogany smell, it's many leather bound books and it's great ambiance in the garden area, we could not have asked for a better rest in our day. He truly is a scholar and a gentleman.
To end our night, we had a great sushi dinner at a restaurant that is so close to our hotel you could literally throw a rock and hit it if you were so inclined. I am not so inclined, so I will refrain.
Tomorrow is going to be a full day. Full of travel that is! Breakfast at 7am, on the road by 7:30 to see Ellis Island (Thinking of the Godfather II the whole way), then the 9/11 memorial amongst other sites. It will definitely be a fun-filled day with a group of great teachers and friends.
The history and culture of the city is apparent from every view, sight, smell and person that you encounter. Having never been to NYC before, I had high expectations; so far they have all been exceeded! I look forward to the next 5 days.
Pictures of our Excursion! Day One.
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| Charles dropping some knowledge on us. |
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| The Streets of New York |
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| The Hustle and Bustle |
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| The Gardens at Chateau Calhoun. |
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