Tamon Charles-Activity # 8

Activity # 8

It was a beautiful sunny day for the meeting up of two excited groups from our Urban Life class in order that we participated in two tours in two different boroughs. Sunday April 11th at 1pm was the designated date and time for the ladies of “SoHo Flaneurs” as well as “Urban Fever” to assemble near the cubical structure at Astor Place in the East Village. Our group; the “SoHo Flaneurs” were responsible for the first tour in the East Village that was lead by Johanna, whilst “Urban Fever” covered the DUMBO area of Brooklyn.

Our immediate places of interest that I recalled will waiting on our group members included the private Cooper Union University to our left and a Starbucks to our right. We started our exploration on St. Mark’s Place which had some very interesting boutiques, restaurants (I remembered one that served vegetarian cuisine), as well as an amusing outdoor vendor who meant business as he tried to persuade all passers by to purchase bracelets and sun glasses. There was much representation of various European cultures in some of the authentic restaurants as well and these spots were quite filled with citizens that were out enjoying their lunches in the lovely weather.

As we walked and talked we came to the end of street at Avenue B to Tompkins Square Park which was crowded with many people engaged in different activities. Some couples enjoyed each other’s company laying in the grass and soaking up the sun while others were taking a stroll holding hands. To the far left of the park was a gated area that was a mini dog park for pets to also enjoy themselves without the contraption of a leash but with their owners standing closely by and conversing without other owners. Leaving Tompkins Square Park, we headed towards the community gardens that the area had also contained for the purpose of neighbors coming together and taking turns to maintain freshly grown fruits and vegetables. Johanna also informed us that the community kept the garden under control by the use of gates and so everyone who has a membership would have a copy of their own key to these gardens. Shortly after, we were brought to view the only Polish Cathedral in the New York City area and I took note of how beautiful the detailing was on its architectural structure. We were also made aware of another nearby private church that also had a school (St. Joseph’s); however, this church was privately owned and one can see how quickly the gates are closed shortly after parishioners are existed. From then one, Johanna was ecstatic to share one of her favorite eat out places to try falafel which was a well seasoned vegetarian dish served in a roll and this chic place even offered student discounts upon producing your student identification card.

Afterwards, we then headed towards the Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall stop via the six train line to continue our exploration in DUMBO, Brooklyn. For this part, shortly after we exited the train, we had a great excursion on the historical Brooklyn Bridge. I observed that the walking trial on the Bridge was separated by a white line for pedestrians as well as cyclists. At the other end of the Bridge was the ever hectic Brooklyn Heights that we quickly walked passed to get to DUMBO.

I have realized that Maya was taking us along a more deserted part of Brooklyn with buildings that were once used as factories and to our surprised were a few crews of people with models that we capturing the remainder of these buildings of which some had very artistic graffiti works. As we left the secluded area (intersection of Pearl Street and Water Street) we arrived at Old Fulton Street and later on, the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory that boosts of its very delicious homemade ice cream. I believed in their slogan based on the massive line that took us forty five minutes before we arrived at the counter to order our cold treats. The location overlooked the water and New York City water taxis were heavily in use that day while others came to take photos of celebrated events that day—a bridal party could have been seen as they try to include the beautiful New York City skyscrapers in the background on a memorable day.

As the our field trip came to an end and we kept on enjoying the warm weather, I was fascinated to learn about parts of Brooklyn that I have never experienced before as well as the historical events that are attached to it—for instance, we were informed by our guide Maya that the ice cream factory was once a light house for incoming tug boats hence the obvious external structure of the building. “Extraordinary changes of scale took place in the masses of buildings” (Kunstler, 35). In all, it was an amazing experience with friendly classmates and indeed an enjoyably spent Sunday afternoon.