The End

I think this is the beginning for me, a new place. There are actually places in the city that are quiet and refreshing and I forgot FREE of charge . I think people need to know  the culture and history that is right in the backyard . I have learned and enormous amount from this class, history, culture and commodorie. For all the places I didn't blog forgive me its too much .I'm going on vacation with the bb in my bag . Thanks so much !

Knee deep in Manhatten

The Famous New York Stock Exchange the bb calls it a "Temple" No longer open to visitor's because of 9/11 but it doesn't scar anyone, the area was flooded with tourists. This is Classic architectue1903 well known for all important building at that time.(bb70) It was formally organized in1817!

Federal Hall , where George Washing took his oath for president1789is another free,cool hide away.One of the treasury  vaults was open for display. My favorite was the fire place with George Washington's picture above it.There is a visitor center with an abundance of information  pamphlets and such about events  the national parks and New York Harbor.
St.Paul's chapel was next this is Manhattans oldest colonial church. It was built because of an overflow of worship  from the Trinity Church .It was a church that British offices used to worship.It survived  a fire of 1776 where water had to be carried from the Hudson River.Historians say this might be the beginning of New York City's thirst for water, but that's another story (LiQuid Assets).It was also a refuge for workers of ground zero. the burial grounds in the back for the church were peacefuland show wear and tear of a time and of beauty and history.

China Town,small streets busy people plenty of shops selling Asian wares and cheap souvenirs. Restaurants line the streets along with the aromatic smell of seafood and decaying trash. To the north is a historic area that was once a Jewish ghetto now a mix of synagogue sand Chinese inhabitants.The aura and food are enough to entice and visitor.(bb 196) China town remains poor and a hub for illegal sweat shops and immigration. Its also a great place to shop for almost anything including faux bags and clothing.
I especially like the Church of Transfiguration for obvious reasons once a Zion Episcopal Church now a Roman Catholic church with masses in Cantonese,Mandarin and Englishbb112)

Battery Park and Chelsea

Battery Parkis a 23 acre landfill ( you would never know bb46) the gardens and view of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are beautiful

Poet's House sits on the banks of the Hudson River in lower Man hatten.Its features everthing poetry. Its in sections,  such as travel poetry , food poetry , culture poetry and even has a section for children.It offers a quiet retreat form the hussle and bussel of the city where you can relax read and look at the views.

From here we walked to the Word Finacial Center (my first, bb61) towering 5 stories and build in 1985-88.It has huge glass windows and palm trees. Through the glass windows you can see the World tradeCenter , it took my breath away.

Chelsea Market was once the heart of the Nabisco Bisket Company. Its filled with shops and resurants .We had lunch at the fish market it was great.We also couldn't resists the cup cake bakery and split one threeways.In the 1920s the Bisket company occupied  five blocks and was the biggest baking factory in the world.
The Chelsea art galleries is a plethora of art galleries .Its a wonder ful walk for anart lover. I was amazed there was no charge another little get away form the hussel and bussel and loose yourself ina world  or oil ,paint and imagination

Eastside part 2

The Met(bb326)
The Met is enormous and and breathtaking . I think if I went every day for a  year I still sould not see the whole thing. Don took us t see Richarrd Serra. Richard Serra did things on wood and metal and he aslo did drawins and sulpture.

My favorite was panstick  on Hiromi paperThe things he does are  huge He did that on purpose so his paintings could be displayed at a museum. We saw imprssionists these are a few of my favoritesClark ,Monet Pissaro. Vincent Van Gough the picture of the shoes simplistic  lines and color.

 Gogan and his women of Tahiti
Alice and wonder land is a 11 foot stature created by Jose de Creet. It was deticated by a man named Delacorte for his wife.
Central Park's boatpond at the south east corner of the pond is a surreal place It instantly gives you a feeling of peace and quiet.

Walking up toCentral park west72nd st is Strawberry feilds to honor John Lennon It was my fiest time .The mosaic center in cement was a gift from Naples Italy.I didn't relize how many places you could fond in N.Y that are quiet and peaceful away from the noise of the streets.

 Dakota(bb19) Apartments were John Lennon was shot where Yoko still resides. This was once owned by a man named Edward S. Clark  Singer sewing machine heir.This land was surrounded by shanties and empty lots. Its was nicknamed Clark's folly so far out that it might as well be in Dakota Territory! so the architect decorated ears of corn and arrow heads and an Indian head at the main gateway.I think the apartments are beautiful and something Ill never forget.Fence railing were decorated with sea monsters and heads of Poseidon.(bb414)
The shopping on Fifth ave Tiffany's FAO Swartz is the most expensive in the world.It really made you feel part of the city. Window shopping in New York City.
New York Public Library is the third larges library and most important a research library with both global and local issues.It is privately managed and a non profit organization with a public mission. @lions guard the the library called patience and fortitude named by mayor LaGuardia..

The West Side

Time Square once known for its drug and prostitution is a far cry from what it is now. Now it is more the theater district.Thanks to Mayor Giuliani . When your standing in Times Square you know why they call it the Crossroads of the world( bb217)

Time square was also known as "Long acres square" in 1904, it was once filled with horses, carriages and factories. Time square is named after a newspaper.

MOMA Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art designed by Yoscho Taniguchi. The blue book states that modern art was not considered art at all it's up there with chocolate and shopping. It first started with three society people; one is Abby Rockefeller who founded a small museum on 5th avenue. It featured Cezanne and  Van Gough. It was a huge success. It wasn't until 1932 they added graphic collections and more exhibits.

125th Street Harlem
The Museum studio of Harlem, its a small but not lacking in abundance of black artists. It has a long standing feature of African American artists. Interesting but not my favorite.

Towards the Hudson River we stoped to see Grants tomb "Let us have peace" he stated when he accepted the presidential nomination in 1868. He was the commander of the union forces in the civil war. The Tomb contains the bodies of Grant and his wife. (bb435).

We walked through Colombia University to St John the Divine nicknamed the unfinished. At the edge of Harlem it's the largest Gothic church 1892. Many chapels throughout the cathedral reflect different ethnic group and traditions. It was one of the most beautiful churches I have ever seen, I will never forget it and I was moved by it.

Brooklyn

It opened in 1883 and it considered on of the world's wonders(BB464) Brooklyn has the largest population 2.5 million. It is the second largest borough. Three bridges link Brooklyn to the city Brooklyn ,Manhattan, and the Williamsburg Bridges(BMW). The Brooklyn Bridge was by far my favorite. The walk across this magnificent landmark was unforgettable( I wish I bought the T-ee shirt  I WALKED ACROSS THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE) The views of Lower Manhattan and New york Habor were breath taking .The beginning starts on Adams and Tillary St,the staircase is on Prospect. The bridge made of stone and steel walk way  is divided into two lanes pedestrian and  bike and Don't walk in the bike lane.

Coney Island
Honky tonk and the birth of the hot dog (BB492).Coney Island was named after rabitts by the Dutch(1829)It was an amusement park of rides and fun houses and still is . With the invention of the car ,and parks and beaches Robert Moses has diverted peoples attention to other places. The amusement park remains an icon in history and culture of New York

The transit museum (corner Boerum Place,Schermerhon st) the Transit museum has a  plethora of maps and drawings  relating to the New York City  Transportation history . The museum was sub terrains located in an unused  subway station.Alot the the exhibits were subways since 1904. I think my favorite part were the mosaics that translated to what was happening at the time.

The East Side

The Museum of  The City of New York founded in1923 contains more than 3 million artifacts(bb376)I especially liked the exhibit of the Green Market .I t contained candid pictures of fruit stands all over the city. The faces and cultures reflect in the choice of fruit ,how its displayed what it looks and smell like . You know that's the last thing you think about when you come to New York . Grimmy City, dirt ,pollution hot dog stands  and Guess what? surprise? there is fresh fruit  on almost every corner.

We also went through Central Park which has 843 acres. It was man made by a man named Fredrick law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux(bb279) Squatters once grazed the park with there goats and pigs even a bone boiling works. Now its fresh air and beautiful gardens are a little oasis for the apartment dwellers of the city. The blue book says it was built just for that, it was meant for the people who worked in sweat shops and lived in tenements(281). It still is a sanctuary from the asphalt jungle for visitors and the city's permanent inhabitants.
Central Park Conservatory Park was worth visiting .Its the only formal park and has 6 acres of quiet serrenity. I found it very interesting that it was a WPA, work progress administration. That meant it employed millions of unskilled workers and created jobs  to build roads, clear slums and help with restoration of the city during the 1935 depression.

I also enjoyed the Jackquline Kennedy Onasis Resevior.This reservoir supplied by the Croton Reservoir at one time supplied water to New York City(bb 296) It was named after her because of her contributions and she liked to jog there.

The Gugenheim Museum was part of the " Museum Mile" . The most impressive thing was the way it was built. Its was designed in the shape of a spiral and curvy walls ,it was very interesting.It was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.The Museum Mile contains 9museums at the present time(bb364) Even though the Gugenheim wasn't my favorite I enjoyed the walk and sites.

Madison Avenue named after the fourth president is known as the advertising cluster.History has shown that this is the meca of industry activity.One of the industries is Brooks Brothers ,one of the oldest retailers is among some of the great shopping in the world(bb281).

I want to say something about  Rockefeller Center also very impressive18 building including the GE building a 70 story art deco building that has many forms of entertainment from ice skating to shopping and restaurants .NBC studios are there including Radio City Music Hall.