We were lucky to have a friend to share her apartment with us for a few days! This allowed us to better get to know the city with her first hand knowledge as well as explore a different part of the city as she lived in Washington heights in the north of Manhattan.
What was more evident to me on this trip was the huge disparities in incomes and how people lived. We arrived in to NY at night and changed buses in Harlem. As it was a hot summer day many people were sitting on the front stoops and children were playing on the sidewalks. It felt like we had stepped into a film! It was great to get to see the diversity and vibrancy of the different neighborhoods but equally saddening to see how huge the gap is between the rich and the poor in this city.
We left Manhattan for a bit to explore Prospect park in Brooklyn and were surprised about how much we missed grass and space after a day of wandering in Manhattan. The park wasnt extraordinary and we walked a bit too much but we were happy to get to wander around a bit and get a feel of where my sister was living for awhile.
We walked across the Brooklyn bridge and rode on the Staten Island Ferry, we searched for China Town, had an amazing Mexican dinner at a friend's restaurant, and visited the Stonewall Inn. Two things that really stood out for both of us was the 9/11 Memorial and the High Line park.
The 9/11 Memorial was really beautifully made. I wasn't sure what to expect but was incredibly impressed with the fountains. There were two enormous fountains made into the ground where the towers once stood. It really impacted me to see the space and how the water seemed to disappear far below. I felt that the artists who created the memorial really created a space for reflection and emotion that everyone could relate to. I feel emotional now thinking of standing there touching the names of so many lost
and thinking about the tragedy that broke so many hearts.
The High Line was a totally different but equally New York experience. Lina and I both fell in love with this urban park built on an old train line. It felt like a place with some breathing room in an otherwise gray and concrete landscape. There were loads of exotic plants, places to rest and chill, and interesting bits of art all along the way. We took our time exploring and taking pictures and it was definitely one of out favorite parts!
All in all, on this trip we impressed ourselves by not shopping, not exploring anything super touristy, and really just spending our time taking photos, journaling, wandering, and being together! At the end we were ready to sleep in our own bed and get reaquainted with Brighton. I loved our time in Wisconsin and NY and look forward to our next American trip :)
No comments:
Post a Comment