Hey everyone!
Sorry for the lateness of my post again, we had yet another late-night excursion concerning the subway. I’m alright though!
By the time you read this, I will likely be outside of New York City and into Long Island!
Before I handle today’s post however, let’s have a recap of yesterday’s activities, shall we?
The Empire State Building
The Empire State Building was once the tallest building in the world, but it still casts an impressive shadow over the rest of Midtown Manhattan. It’s actually only 5 blocks away from our hotel, so thankfully not a major travel-breaker.
We entered from the base of our tower, and found a very long processing path.
Aside from the security checkpoints and all, this is a bit different from what it was a year ago, when we entered through the main lobby, and went on from there.
The hallways of this place are very grand indeed…
After taking an elevator to the higher levels (up several dozen floors out of the 102 floors), we were met with breathtaking views…
Looking west towards New Jersey. Seeing all of this activity in this gigantic city is simply stunning.
When this was being built, they built a story per day, until it was finished in 1931, nearly a year after it began construction… I don’t know how they did it…
Also looking west.
Looking south towards Lower Manhattan, where the tallest buildings are. The One World Trade Center is the tallest one visible, and the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.
Far off in the distance, one can see Liberty Island (and the Statue of Liberty!), and Ellis Island! We’ll be there in a bit!
We chuckled a bit at this.
We then proceeded to the 86th Floor, which had the official Observation Deck (which is out in the open, and is in the best of times windy and cold)!
There is a higher one on the 102nd Floor, but that’s reserved for special ticket advancements.
Looking out towards the Chrysler Building in the East (the one with the steeple on it). It also used to be the tallest building in the world, until other buildings like the Empire State Building popped up.
Looking up towards the pinnacle. This is so dizzying, because the clouds moving above make it seem like it’s moving.
I have slight irrational fear every time I look up at tall skyscrapers up close (or something of the like). So, I was clinging to the walls at most times.
Looking towards Central Park to the North, which is positively massive.
The wind is EVERYWHERE. The last time I came here was last year’s spring break, where after staying out for a bit, I couldn’t feel my facial muscles for a good hour or two until we got back to the hotel room. Thankfully it was warmer today, but still intense.
We departed down the elevator to the Main Hotel Lobby, ready to kiss solid ground again.
The Empire State Building, much like New York City itself, is visited by millions every year. It’s architecture is also a marvel to behold. Some of the ornaments in this building are made out of gold, which is fascinating. It’s simply amazing what human ingenuity could produce with the right drive and motivation.
And in case you were wondering, no. We didn’t see any gargantuan apes trying to climb the building. They would likely prefer the higher level of the One World Trade Center (hang on… why am I even talking about fictional primates? Sorry, let’s get back on track).
After eating at a nearby street vendor, we continued on a subway to the tip of Manhattan Island, where we would catch a ferry to a very special place, and one of the foremost symbols of America… The Statue of Liberty!
The Statue of Liberty
We soon arrived at the southern tip, and at “Battery Park”.
It’s a very nice green place on the edge of the bay.
Here is Castle Clinton, the reason why it’s called “Battery Park”. The fort served as a cannon battery installation early in the 1800’s, though it never saw any conflict.
It’s not an easy process to get a ferry to The Statue of Liberty OR Ellis Island. You have to go through a lot of screening and security checkpoints, and, if you do not have reserve tickets, you could be in the long line shown above which stretches from several meters to the left us, to around Castle Clinton and even further a ways. Thankfully, we were able to get reserve tickets beforehand, and could skip most of the line.
The ferries here can hold up hundreds of people… This particular ferry we were on served a crucial role of evacuating people from Ground Zero following the September 11 Attacks.
They really do pack you in like sardines here. Thankfully the ride is only a few minutes.
Looking back, one can see the full view of Lower Manhattan. No picture could truly capture the majestic scope of it.
Ellis Island in the distance. We’ll also be going there very soon!
There she is… Lady Liberty herself…
The boat took us around the island for a nice shot before it stopped at the docks on Liberty Island (which was originally called “Bedloe’s Island”, before the statue was created).
And here we are! Let’s get right to it!
Looking down the plaza towards the new Liberty Island Museum! Believe it or not, this museum is only 8 days old. It was opened just over a week ago, and I remember on our last visit that the site was covered by scaffolding and construction. Well not any longer! We’ll check this out later.
A beacon of hope to many immigrants and citizens of the United States alike, Lady Liberty was given as a gift to the U.S. by France, in accordance to the centennial of the nation’s founding.
Hello there.
Accessing the security checkpoint at the base of the tower (with our advanced reservations), we began to climb up… and up… and up…
This giant bolt holds the statue down onto it’s pedestal. Just look at the size of it!
Arriving at the pedestal’s balcony, we looked up at Lady Liberty… it was a very tight space, and being this close to the statue was absolutely exhilarating.
A view of Ellis Island to the northwest, with many of it’s facilities and out-buildings. Most of these, which previously served as barracks and storage rooms, have now fallen into dipilation and decay.
The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge connects the boroughs of Brooklyn and Staten Island. Beyond of course, lies the Atlantic Ocean, and beyond.
Looking down the plaza towards the museum. It really is a very well laid-out design.
Don’t look down…
Down below are some other exterior levels that one can go on, which we’ll see in just a moment!
Mom’s having a bad hair day. You can’t really blame her though, considering the high winds up here.
A selfie of us in front of the Manhattan skyline in the distance.
Back inside, one can see through the glass ceiling the interior of the statue itself! Those with the right tickets (placed months in advance) can climb this spiral staircase, and enter the observation deck located in the Crown of the statue!
Down on the lower platform in the pedestal, one can see an impressive view of both the pedestal and the statue. I can’t remember if I said it before, but the statue actually used to be a copper-brownish color when it was first unveiled! As time aged however, exposure to the elements has caused massive oxidation to take effect, leading the metal to rust and obtain the greenish-tint that it has today!
Now let’s head in the museum!
Though small, the museum was very well put together, not only conveying the history and structuring of the building, but also analyzing various interpretations of what the statue stands for.
An original wooden brace from it’s constrution in France.
Original models of the Statue of Liberty, varying in size.
These HUMONGOUS FEET (again, a model of the real deal),
And the original torch that Lady Liberty held in the first set of years!
This torch was made of reflective glass and had lightbulbs in it to convey a brilliant light. Before, people could come out into this balcony for a terrific view of the skyline, but because of structural issues, it was replaced with it’s current torchhead (one with a pure-gold flame).
Looking back down the plaza towards the Statue of Liberty.
So, why does this statue continue to pique our interest? It is certainly for as much as the symbolism behind it as it is for it’s physical stature. But what is that symbolism? In the modern world, this concept can become convoluted, and easily lost on us… Is it a symbol of ignorant imperfection, or one of true resounding liberty? It could perhaps be both, but we can never forget the eyes of the immigrants that came to this place, who would become the very essence of our spirit.
Many immigrants’ first sight was indeed the Statue of Liberty, which welcomed them to the new world… to them, that torch held aloft by Lady Liberty was a beacon of hope… a burning passion for opprotunity and greater freedoms that perhaps were lacking in their country… it was one that perhaps encouraged them to strive to improve the United States as a nation. Few landmarks have such an immense and inspiring power as this. It’s a sign that I believe is reassuring… if that inspiration is still there, then hope will endure too. We can only hope.
Ellis Island
Departing on the last ferry to Ellis Island, we finally arrived at the massive complex, which once processed millions of foreign immigrants from all walks of life.
These massive halls are impressive…
Different medical tools that doctors used to examine each individual. They were very particular on any kind of diseases or deformaties.
A sideways picture of masses of incoming immigrants waiting to be processed. The entire ordeal lasts several months, and not all are lucky enough to be accepted.
Mind games and intelligence tests were very critical to an immigrant’s chance in the new world, which tested their ability to properly give meaningful contributions to society.
All had different backgrounds, ethnicities, relationships, and dreams… and those dreams united them all here… for a chance to live again.
The system was never perfect of course. Literacy Tests were designed to be difficult for even capable individuals. Tests like these were influenced by anti-immigration propaganda and political influence.
Original graffitti writing on the wall, which still remains to this day…
Chalk-marks were put onto people who had some form of further inquiry, such as a mental disorder, physical ailment, or anything else out of the usual.
These people, roughly 10% of incoming individuals, were questioned in this inquiry-hearing room. It was here that the court could decide whether to vindicate a person, or deport them back to their home country.
Even if we spent a limited amount of time here, it was still fascinating to learn about the policy of immigration back in the day. Perhaps it is a prime example that freedom is never easy, and that sometimes, fate is not favorable to some. Yet those that persevere will, with a bit of luck, prevail and accomplish what their hearts desire.
Sights of Wall Street/Ground Zero
The southern tip of Manhattan is unique compared to the other parts of the island, as everything tends to be so much more closer together, and more easy to comprehend. As such, we set about exploring assorted locations in the deepest part of this mega-city.
The U.S. Customs House, once one of the most corrupt establishments in the country, has been converted into the “National Museum for the American Indian” ! The place was about to close however, so we couldn’t explore further.
On Wall Street, one can find the entrance to the New York Stock Exchange, which is one of the largest financial hubs in the world. It was also here that the disastrous Market Crash of 1929 occured, creating a Great Depression that left scars upon the land and it’s people.
Federal Hall, located here, is the site of the first Presidential Inauguration, where George Washington was sworn in as the 1st President of the United States. It’s on the spot of that statue where he stood, and recited the oath, famously adding the precedent lines: “So help me God.”
Unfortunetly, the building was closed. Which was a real shame, because the very bible that George Washington was sworn on was located right inside! The bible is usually never in one place, and is loaned to Federal Hall for certain periods of time from the Masons Society.
The Spire of Trinity Church is an odd sight amid all the tall skyscrapers, but it is still a very impressive and historical building nonetheless!
Why do I say historic? Well, there are several famous people buried here… as the cemetery courtyards were closed however, we could only look through the fence.
First, there is Robert Fulton, the inventor of the Steamboat! He was an excellent engineering mind, and before you can say it, yes, it’s spelled “Fvlton” on his tombstone. This was a tradition done to many older buildings with chisilled letters in them, where the letter U was likely very hard to carve.
The other, and most famous grave of the lot however, is Alexander Hamilton, Founding Father, First Secretary of the Treasury, Signer of the Constitution, and the creator of our federal banking system. It’s his face that we see on the $10 dollar bill, and Aaron Burr, whose grave we saw a few days ago in Princeton, was the one to shoot and kill him in a famous duel.
We’ll come back later to get a picture of the front of the monument inside the courtyard.
No picture could truly picture the awesome scale of The Oculus! This very futeristic style was adapted after the September 11 Attacks, and the Oculus itself is a major transportation and shopping venue for thousands of people.
It’s inside looks like the inside of a Whale’s skeleton (or something of the like), doesn’t it? Though nowhere near as busy as other hubs in New York City, this serves as the main destination for those travelling in Downtown.
Once again, we come to the base of the One World Trade Center… looking up at it’s pinnacle is quite dizzying…
Our last stop on this day was, of course, a testament to the darkest hour of American History, which only occured 18 years ago…
The 9/11 Memorial.
For decades, the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center dominated the entirety of New York City and their surrounding area. Those who have seen it in person could well testify to their terrific height…
But now of course, none of that remains. Following the September 11 Attacks, the landscape has dramatically changed. Buildings have been torn down and rebuilt, debris removed, and in the very footprints of the twin towers, two memorial pools pour tears of water into two square gashes in the ground…
The names of every soul who was lost on that horrible day are inscribed on the black plaques surrounding both pools…
Nearly 3,000 lives that were lost to the hateful acts of extremists…
Those with a white flower on their name signifies that today is their birthday. This poor woman here is an example.
Waiting around until relative darkness, we looked at the place again…
The names are illuminated by posterior light, and the waters flicker like the crackle of a candle, or a fire.
It is sad that things like this have to happen… but they always will.. it will be our job to make sure that we remain strong, and stay on the course of hope.
Thank you very much for once again tolerating my lateness. Soon enough the post for the day after this will come around! In case that doesn’t happen soon, tomorrow will be an entire day dedicated to the ROOSEVELTS! Various sights throughout New York will explore two of the most prominant presidential figures in American History… I’m bursting with excitement!
I’ll see you soon, whether it be tomorrow or the next, take care!
Mark's Historical Roadtrips! 