Quixotic Queens

                  Waking up on Friday I was excited to discover what this class really was all about. I was eager to learn more about the sites queens had to offer because the only times I’ve been to queens was to watch the Mets play, and more times then not that usually ends in disappointment and heartache. I took the train from Wantagh to Penn Station to meet with everyone. Luckily Jennie, my friend since high school, was able to take this class with me so I felt more comfortable meeting up with a group of people who I didn’t know. Once our class came together at Penn we made our way to Queens, which is the largest borough in the city and the second most populous borough. It is the nation’s most diverse, having more then 130 different languages spoken (BG, 493).

                  We took the 7-subway train to Queens, which has been named the “International Express” because it passes through so many different ethnic communities (BG, 493).  I’ve taken this subway multiple times before when attending Met games so the experience was nothing new to me. However I have never experienced the U.S Open taking place so it was interesting to see the large crowd of people attending the game. I also couldn’t think of a better way of starting this class other than Mike getting into an argument with someone.  Our first stop was to Flushing Meadows Park. Mike and Meritta informed us that this park was originally a salt marsh and dumping ground, but during the 1930’s Robert Moses converted the marshland into the grounds for the 1939-40 World’s Fair (BG, 497). I’ve heard of the World’s Fair before but never really knew what it was, but thanks to Mike explaining to us to picture the Epcot center in Disney I now understand. After walking trough the park we finally reached the

Unisphere, originally stated as “Man’s Achievements on a Shrinking Globe in an Expanding Universe.” The Unisphere is 700,00 lbs of stainless steel, 12 stories high, and 120ft in diameter (BG, 497.) I have seen the Unisphere in pictures but I never knew what it was for or where it was located so it was nice to gain some information about it. Overall the park was well maintained and seemed to be a very peaceful place where one could hang out and enjoy themself.

                  Our second stop was to The Queens Museum of Art. The museum occupies the former New York City Building built for the city’s exhibition in the 1939-40 World’s Fair and later used by the United Nations General Assembly before its permanent headquarters were built (BG, 497). While inside we look at the Watershed model, which showed the city’s water supply. After, we went to the see the Panorama. The Panorama was commissioned by Robert Moses for the 1964 World’s Fair and updated in 1992. It contains 895,000 buildings-every buildings constructed before 1992 in each of the five boroughs (BG, 497-498.) seeing the city laid out like that in front of you I though was amazing. I was able to compare difference between the boroughs and really get a sense of how the city was planned out. What I liked most about that panorama was that they kept up to date with changes in buildings and other important structures. After the museum we got back on the subway and headed toward lunch in Jackson heights at the Jackson diner, which is Indian food. I chose to go to McDonalds because I am a picky eater when it comes to American food and the smell alone of the restaurant was too much for me. I did find it interested although that you were able to turn the block and it would be populated by a whole other culture.

                  After lunch we jump on another subway and made our way to Astoria. The Astoria section of Queens is still the place outside Greece with the largest number of people of Greek heritage, though today it also has growing Arab and Latino populations (BG, 499.) When we first got off the subway Astoria didn’t see to be that high class of a neighbor but then we turned the corner and the atmosphere seemed to change. While walking we passed many places that I would eat at and also a school was letting out that seemed to show diversity among the kids. I did think to myself this seems like a nice place to live. In Astoria we made our way to the Museum of the Moving Image, which is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Queens (BG, 499). Before the tour, we learned that the studio next door was used to film popular movies. This museum showed us all the work and time that go into making a movie or a television show. Some displays I enjoyed seeing some of the costumes, makeup, and props that were actually used in making some movies. I really enjoyed seeing how much technology has advanced over the years that go into making movies and T.V shows, such as the cameras they use and the props. I remember I was looking at a huge record player that people used to keep in their house and I thought to myself how crazy it is that people now have iPods for their music and it could fit in your jean pocket. I really enjoyed being able to look back on some the moves and T.V shows I grew up watching and understand further what went into creating them. I’m very glad I took this class because I never knew this museum existed and I really enjoyed my time there.

                  After the museum we took another subway to reach our next destination, 5 Pointz. I was very excited to go here because I have heard and seen pictures of this spot because and thought how cool it looked and how badly I wanted to go. 5 Pointz is an outdoor exhibit in Long Island City, where graffiti artists from all over the world come to display their art. It was incredible to see all the different graffiti. I loved how colorful and creative each design was. I was captivated by the graffiti and would honestly rather look at different graffiti designs all day then have a chance to see the Mona Lisa. I loved every minute of 5 Pointz.

                  Finally we ended our day in Queens at Gantry Plaza State Park. I learned that this park was originally a warehouse in the past but with the help of mayor Bloomberg it has transformed.  Now the park is a beautiful riverfront overlooking the city, I thought to myself I would like my boyfriend to take me here for a romantic date. After taking in the beautiful view we made our way back to Penn Station

                  This class completely changed my view of Queens. I really enjoyed every stop we made and would not mind going to visit again and sharing the knowledge I learned with friends and family. Without this class I would of never know that some of these places even existed.