6/8/10
This morning we walked across the Brooklyn Bridge. What an amazing experience, especially since we read McCullough’s book. Ed pointed out where Washington Roebling and his wife were able to overlook the construction site. He would give the orders and Emily would deliver them to the workers. The fact that men actually listened to a woman during this time in history is remarkable. Ed said that the use of steel in the 19th century was equivalent to the silicon chip of the 20th century. Of all the bridges that have been built in the New York City area, the Brooklyn Bridge is still the most cost-effective in terms of maintenance and upkeep. They just don’t build them like they used to! The views from the bridge were awesome; I was just sorry we couldn’t see the top of the spire of Trinity Church, which was the only other landmark that was anywhere near as tall when the bridge was constructed. There’s nothing like seeing things up close and personal. The Brooklyn Bridge experience has been one of the highlights so far. Amazingly, we all made it across without being run over by the bicyclists that came speeding by us frequently! This is one of those times when I am glad for the work we do prior to going on these trips. Having the background knowledge helps me to appreciate the marvel of this bridge in its time and now.
The African American Burial Ground Museum is a story that most tourists probably wouldn’t be aware of. When constructing a new federal building in the 1990’s, the remains of hundreds of Africans were found. One estimate said there were possibly upwards of 20,000 buried there. Construction was halted and a huge controversy developed. The contractor wanted to get the job done and the African-American community was appalled and outraged. A compromise was reached when it was decided that testing would be done to determine the bones’ age, sex, etc., and as many details as possible, and then the remains would be re-interred and a memorial placed upon the property. This northern slavery ground is the only one of its kind and revealed much about slavery in the north. It was not just a “peculiar institution” confined to the south.
Central Park, the “lungs of the city” was breathtakingly beautiful. It is definitely a world away from the streets of Manhattan, and no wonder it is popular with residents and tourists alike. The Northeast is quite the contrast to our arid Southwest; everything is so lush and green with vibrant flowers because of all the moisture. We have been lucky with the weather- low humidity- YES!
Ed has consistently shown us various images throughout our walking tours, which is a constant reminder of their power. Central Park is a man-made paradise available to all; he showed us images of the proposed lay-out of the park and the barren, desolate, land it once was- littered with makeshifts shacks that had been homes for the poor. The comparison was remarkable.
We saw numerous nannies (somehow you could just “tell” with some of them), skateboarders, people rollerblading, bicycling, horse-drawn carriages, young lovers, whole families, people trying to master rowing a boat, and several weddings and/or wedding picture shoots. Marie speculated that perhaps Tuesday was a lucky day to get married in some Asian cultures. A young woman who apparently aspired to be a model, was being followed by a young photographer, and they stopped in various spots, hoping to snap the picture that could change her life. My favorite part of the park was the part that was in a more natural state – winding paths that led in different directions, up and down hills and forked numerous times. We waited for a few minutes for Brent and Jed who had been left behind, and had to guess which way the rest of our group had gone as the area is so thickly wooded and quiet, there was no trace of their direction.
When I see all of the sightseeing buses, I wonder how many tourists only experience New York City from the upper deck of a bus as the driver merely points out various famous sites. I probably have mentioned it before, but I knew coming on this trip with Matt and Jonathan as our guides, and Scott taking care of us, I would experience New York City in a way I would not know how to schedule on my own. Immersing ourselves in the history and cultures of New York has been beyond my dreams, and one I will never forget. My teaching style has always been one of enthusiasm, but thanks to these trips, I have gained added knowledge and confidence that will definitely benefit my students for years to come.
