BODACIOUS BROOKLYN
PENNSYLVANIA STATION: Our first meeting for this great adventure began at Pennsylvania Station (Penn Station). The original train station was by the architects, McKim, Mead & White. Eventually, due to financial difficulties it was sold and rebuilt by 1962 . Penn station is the busiest station of the United States. More than half a million of people commute through this station during a regular week. This station serves to the Long Island railroad (LIRR), New Jersey transit and Amtrak passengers (BG p 195-196). If anyone is hungry, there is no need to go outside Penn station because this station has a variety of fast food restaurants. Not only that, Penn station has many choices for shopping on the go.
D TRAIN: After our brief introduction with professors and students, we went out of Penn station and took the D train via Brooklyn. The D train serves people traveling to the Bronx, Manhattan and Brooklyn. While in this train it was gross to see a gentleman spiting and stepping all over it.
CONEY ISLAND: It took us about an hour to arrive to Stillwell Avenue which is the last stop that leads into Coney Island. We walked to the beach and sat on the seashore. During this time, our instructors gave us instructions about the course work and also some history of Coney Island. The first people to come to Coney Island were the Dutch family. The first hotel was opened in 1829.
In 1897 three amusement parks were completed and operating. These parks attracted people of all ages and from everywhere to visit Coney Island. In hot summers people used to go to refresh themselves in the beach and also ride on the spectacular rides.
In the 1920s the Coney Island’s boardwalk was ready for people to enjoy. Eventually, by the 60s there was an influx of Hispanics, African Americans and older adults to Coney Island (BG p 491-492).
In the early 20th century land covered some parts of the island and Coney Island became a peninsula (BG p 491-492).
When we break up for lunch, my friend and I walked along the boardwalk looking for something to eat. Although Coney Island is famous because of the iconic hot dogs we did not have an appetite for hot dogs at this time. We found mainly fast food restaurants, such as Nathans, Mexican grill, and many more. We were disappointed because we wanted to eat “real meals” and decided to look for a restaurant. We found a Jamaican restaurant and we eat a good solid lunch. Then, it was getting late and we had to run back to meet with the instructors and the rest of the students.
The thing that impressed me the most about Coney Island was the many people hanging out on a regular week/working day. The security forces (police officers) surrounding Coney Island also caught my attention. I guess the policemen are there ensure the safety of the residents and visitors!
NEW YORK TRANSIT MUSEUM: After a long walk on Brooklyn Heights, we finally arrived to the New York Transit Museum.
I was really surprised about this museum. When we came to the entrance of this museum I thought that we were going to take the subway and to my surprise it was the museum!
I learned that this museum represents the first subway line in New York. This museum also exhibits different pictures portraying the labor of the people who built the subway lines.
Basically today we are standing on the sacrifices and hard work of all the people that risked their lives to give us comfort and easiness in transportation.
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS: We continued on to the Brooklyn Heights tour. As we walked we stopped at the Brooklyn Borough Hall. The architectural design of this building caught my attention, and our instructor explained that this building is an example of the Neo-classical Greek style.
Along the way we also observed different historical churches and buildings that are definitely some of the greatest assets of Brooklyn.
Another remarkable building that we passed by is the Brooklyn Historical Society. This organization was originally the Long Island Historical Society; it is open to the public as a library, museum and educational center (BG p 472).
As we advanced in our adventure, I was getting tired but it was so wonderful to explore the streets of Brooklyn Heights that my tiredness did not matter at all. The view from Brooklyn to Manhattan was spectacular. We continued on our long walk and I was looking forward to taste the best ice cream of Brooklyn, as our instructor said!!! Finally we got to the ice cream place and certainly the ice cream was delicious.
BROOKLYN BRIDGE: Our last and final destination was the Brooklyn Bridge. This bridge is one of the greatest bridges of New York. People love this bridge because it connects Manhattan and Brooklyn. Therefore, this bridge serves people to crossing in cars, bikes or just simply walking. The history of this bridge goes back to 1883 when it first opened. It took fourteen years to build the bridge, with approximately four thousand people working on it; spending $15 million to complete the work. Different politicians, including Kingsley, Slocum, and Stranahan were involved in the Brooklyn bridge project. Engineer Roebling and his son also joined to design this bridge (BG p 464-466). Working in this project was not easy many people died, including one of the designers. The most dangerous and risky work was when the people known as sandhogs had to work underwater. Due to hot weather and underwater pressure, the sandhogs suffer from itchy skin, nose bleeds and unstable heart rhythm. Definitely working as sandhogs was very dangerous for their health. Today we are so fortunate that everything is done for us to enjoy.
As we approached to cross the bridge, I was so excited because this experience was absolutely new for me. I have been living in New York for many years and I always wanted to have this adventure and finally I did it. The view to the water and the city was unforgettable. I, of course, took some pictures and showed to my children that are dying to have this experience. The only thing that I did not like was the fact that there are no separating bars for the bikers. I felt a little scary of the bikers because they pass to such a great speed that it seems that they would crash anyone on their way. Finally, our adventure was completed when we reached to the other side of the bridge. It was starting to rain and I was tired. At this point I could only think about getting home and resting.
D TRAIN: After our brief introduction with professors and students, we went out of Penn station and took the D train via Brooklyn. The D train serves people traveling to the Bronx, Manhattan and Brooklyn. While in this train it was gross to see a gentleman spiting and stepping all over it.
CONEY ISLAND: It took us about an hour to arrive to Stillwell Avenue which is the last stop that leads into Coney Island. We walked to the beach and sat on the seashore. During this time, our instructors gave us instructions about the course work and also some history of Coney Island. The first people to come to Coney Island were the Dutch family. The first hotel was opened in 1829.
In 1897 three amusement parks were completed and operating. These parks attracted people of all ages and from everywhere to visit Coney Island. In hot summers people used to go to refresh themselves in the beach and also ride on the spectacular rides.
In the 1920s the Coney Island’s boardwalk was ready for people to enjoy. Eventually, by the 60s there was an influx of Hispanics, African Americans and older adults to Coney Island (BG p 491-492).
In the early 20th century land covered some parts of the island and Coney Island became a peninsula (BG p 491-492).
When we break up for lunch, my friend and I walked along the boardwalk looking for something to eat. Although Coney Island is famous because of the iconic hot dogs we did not have an appetite for hot dogs at this time. We found mainly fast food restaurants, such as Nathans, Mexican grill, and many more. We were disappointed because we wanted to eat “real meals” and decided to look for a restaurant. We found a Jamaican restaurant and we eat a good solid lunch. Then, it was getting late and we had to run back to meet with the instructors and the rest of the students.
The thing that impressed me the most about Coney Island was the many people hanging out on a regular week/working day. The security forces (police officers) surrounding Coney Island also caught my attention. I guess the policemen are there ensure the safety of the residents and visitors!
NEW YORK TRANSIT MUSEUM: After a long walk on Brooklyn Heights, we finally arrived to the New York Transit Museum.
I was really surprised about this museum. When we came to the entrance of this museum I thought that we were going to take the subway and to my surprise it was the museum!
I learned that this museum represents the first subway line in New York. This museum also exhibits different pictures portraying the labor of the people who built the subway lines.
Basically today we are standing on the sacrifices and hard work of all the people that risked their lives to give us comfort and easiness in transportation.
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS: We continued on to the Brooklyn Heights tour. As we walked we stopped at the Brooklyn Borough Hall. The architectural design of this building caught my attention, and our instructor explained that this building is an example of the Neo-classical Greek style.
Along the way we also observed different historical churches and buildings that are definitely some of the greatest assets of Brooklyn.
Another remarkable building that we passed by is the Brooklyn Historical Society. This organization was originally the Long Island Historical Society; it is open to the public as a library, museum and educational center (BG p 472).
As we advanced in our adventure, I was getting tired but it was so wonderful to explore the streets of Brooklyn Heights that my tiredness did not matter at all. The view from Brooklyn to Manhattan was spectacular. We continued on our long walk and I was looking forward to taste the best ice cream of Brooklyn, as our instructor said!!! Finally we got to the ice cream place and certainly the ice cream was delicious.
BROOKLYN BRIDGE: Our last and final destination was the Brooklyn Bridge. This bridge is one of the greatest bridges of New York. People love this bridge because it connects Manhattan and Brooklyn. Therefore, this bridge serves people to crossing in cars, bikes or just simply walking. The history of this bridge goes back to 1883 when it first opened. It took fourteen years to build the bridge, with approximately four thousand people working on it; spending $15 million to complete the work. Different politicians, including Kingsley, Slocum, and Stranahan were involved in the Brooklyn bridge project. Engineer Roebling and his son also joined to design this bridge (BG p 464-466). Working in this project was not easy many people died, including one of the designers. The most dangerous and risky work was when the people known as sandhogs had to work underwater. Due to hot weather and underwater pressure, the sandhogs suffer from itchy skin, nose bleeds and unstable heart rhythm. Definitely working as sandhogs was very dangerous for their health. Today we are so fortunate that everything is done for us to enjoy.
As we approached to cross the bridge, I was so excited because this experience was absolutely new for me. I have been living in New York for many years and I always wanted to have this adventure and finally I did it. The view to the water and the city was unforgettable. I, of course, took some pictures and showed to my children that are dying to have this experience. The only thing that I did not like was the fact that there are no separating bars for the bikers. I felt a little scary of the bikers because they pass to such a great speed that it seems that they would crash anyone on their way. Finally, our adventure was completed when we reached to the other side of the bridge. It was starting to rain and I was tired. At this point I could only think about getting home and resting.