Waking
up on Friday I was excited to discover and learn more about Brooklyn. I have
been to Brooklyn before but have only visited Coney Island so I knew there was
much more to learn about. I took the train to Penn Station where I met with the
class and we were off to Coney Island.
In the
popular imagination Coney Island survives as an archetype of American
honky-tonk, the birthplace of the hot dog and home of the worlds most
terrifying roller coaster, a place remarkable for high energy and dubious taste
(BG, 491-492.) When I hear the words Coney Island I automatically think of The
Cyclone and Nathan’s Famous. I have been to Coney Island many times; I have
attended the mermaid parade that takes place there on the first day of summer
every year, and have also been to a Brooklyn Cyclones baseball game. When we
got off the subway we got to walk around and explore the boardwalk. The
boardwalk was pretty empty compared to how it usually is during the summer and
when the amusement park is open. Three classic rides have been landmarked and
cannot be destroyed: the Parachute Jump, which is not operative, the Cyclone,
and the Wonder Wheel (BG, 492.) I was bummed that I wasn’t going to get a
chance to ride the Cyclone since I haven’t in a few years. Even though the
boardwalk was not crowded it still had a positive upbeat vibe. For lunch I got
a hot dog and fries from Nathan’s, the iconic hot dog stand founded in 1916
(BG, 492.) My hot dog was deliscious as usual. After lunch we took the subway
down to Brooklyn Heights, a place where I have never been before.
Brooklyn
Heights, sometimes called New York’s first suburb, has also become its first
designated historic district (BG, 466.) Our first stop in Brooklyn Heights was
to The New York Transit Museum. This two level subterranean museum, located in
an unused subway station, was created in 1976. Run by the Metropolitan Transit
Authority, it includes exhibits on buses, bridges and tunnels but the emphasis
is on the subway (BG, 468.) We began our tour by learning about the history and
construction of the first subway system. Our tour guide told us about all the
different jobs that went into making the subway system and how dangerous they
all were. One of the jobs I would hate to having was blowing up the concrete
with a lot of dynamite then poking the fallen rocks with long sticks to make
sure everything exploded and fell. I would also hate to carry out the fallen
rocks in wheelbarrows all day long. I could only imagine how many people got
sick or died during the making of the subway. Another fact I was surprised to
hear was how it took four years for them to complete the subway system back
then, but now it takes four years to just make one stop. I would think with all
of the technological advances we would be able to make it much quicker. After
the tour was over we were able to explore the rest of the museum. My favorite
exhibit was being able to walk through all of the old subway cars. It was cool
to see how much the cars change overtime; I really enjoyed looking at all of
the old advertisements that were in the subway cars as well. The old subway
cars are much more appealing then the ones now a days but I do enjoy having air
conditioning on the subway I don’t know how people were able to deal with a
crowded subway car on a hot day with just fans. I also enjoyed looking at the
bus exhibit since my father is a bus driver mainly in Brooklyn.
After
leaving the Transit Museum our next stop was to the Brooklyn Historical
Society. This site was founded in 1863 as the Long Island Historical Society.
The society maintains a library, a museum, and an educational center dedicated
to Brooklyn history and culture (BG, 472.) we started off by looking at old
paintings and photographs and it was interesting to see how much the community
has changed over time; what was once open land is now filled with buildings. I
also enjoyed seeing all the different movies and T.V shows take took place in
Brooklyn. We then took a walking tour on Montague St. this tour didn’t really
peak my interest, I found it hard to pay attention while there was so much
going on around me. Once again it was cool seeing how much buildings and landmarks
have changed over time. I did however love the brownstones wishing I could live
in one of those apartments right on the river with the amazing view of the
city.
After
walking along the river we made our way to Dumbo, which stands for down under
the Manhattan Bridge overpass. What were once many factories, old warehouses
and filth is now a beautiful place for people to go and enjoy the outdoors, and
there is even a merry-go-round. The view at Dumbo is also beautiful, a very
peaceful place one can go to relax. Finally we made our way to the Brooklyn
Bridge. I was excited to walk across the bridge because I have never done it
before. The Brooklyn Bridge is one of New York’s greatest landmarks. The bridge
opened on May 25, 1883, it was justly considered one of the world’s greatest
wonders. It was the largest suspension bridge in existence, with a single span
arching 1,595 feet across the East River (BG, 464.) During our tour at the
Brooklyn Historical Society our guide told us John Roebling designed the bridge
but he fell sick and was unable to leave his home so he would share all of the
plans with his wife, Emily, who would deliver them to the workers. Emily was
the first to walk over the bridge. Walking over the bridge gave me a feeling
like I was on top of the world as I saw the cars pass beneath me. The view was
amazing and it was relaxing to feel the wind hit you. I did not enjoy the bicyclists speeding past
me however; they were very mean and hostile if you got in their way. After
crossing the bridge we made our way back to Penn Station.
I
really enjoyed my experience of Brooklyn, and I can now say I have officially
walked over the Brooklyn Bridge. Even though I was exhausted by the end of the
day it was totally worth it. I am really
enjoying this class and the experiences it is given me that I might of never
had.
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