New York - Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Buskers - July 22, 2012

My second and last paid for tour begins with the subway ride to Battery Park. We take the ferry to Liberty Island. No one can climb the Statue of Liberty, which is made of very thin copper that turned green a long time ago.

Here's a quote from the United States National Park Service website.

The lady who promises freedom

The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the people of the United States and is a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886, designated as a National Monument in 1924 and restored for her centennial on July 4, 1986.

The Statue of Liberty, along with Ellis Island, is site #93 on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Here's what the National Park Service  writes about Ellis Island.

They came seeking freedom, opportunity, new lives. More than 12 million immigrants passed through the doors of Ellis Island between January 1, 1892 and November 1954, hoping to achieve the "American Dream". These people have woven their way into the fabric of American life. They have helped create the America we know today.

Where those seeking opportunity waited for acceptance

As we ride the ferry to Ellis Island, I've made up my mind; the New York tours I've purchased are a waste of money. I'm giving our guide a tip; I'm leaving the group and going off on my own.

When we arrive at Ellis Island I do what I think is the right thing, I give the guide a five-dollar tip and let him know I'm leaving the tour. He asks, sort of insists, that I stay. I stay with the group for about five minutes, ask myself why I'm staying, and quietly leave.

I plan, and do, spend a long time on Ellis Island. As I walk through the various rooms I develop a sense of what is was like to enter the United States by way of this place. I'm certain I'm not alone in my learning experience. Through the use of photos, personal, anecdotal information from those who were actually went through, and a film, which is introduced by a park ranger, the museum does a good job of telling its story.

When I walked from room to room, as those who have arrived from Europe via steerage had once done, in the back of my mind I thought I would have travelled first class or second class. Those travelling first and second class did not need to go through Ellis Island. They were interviewed and examined on board ship.

When the ranger introduced the film, he asked how many of us had flown to New York first class. No one raised his or her hand. This put things into the right perspective. I would have been in steerage. I would have had to relinquish my luggage, risking its loss. I would have been subjected to an interview regarding my financial situation, my health both physical and mental and my ability to support myself. Really, not much different than today. Only, today the process is conduct in one's home country. As long as you arrive legally, you are not sent home.

At the turn of the 20th Century, it took approximately two weeks to travel from Europe to New York. Those in steerage awaiting admittance to Ellis Island might be in harbor for two weeks. Processing once on Ellis Island took from three to seven hours. Although some were turned away, most were welcome into the United States.

Ellis Island is a wonderful tribute and story of what those who desire a better life will go through in order to get it, and shows the best that America offers.

When I arrive back at Battery Park there is a free concert going on. The group is talented. In another area of the park, I find another busker he is playing a musical instrument I've never heard before, from the orient.  I travel by subway to Greenwich Village where a quartet is singing classic rock songs like My Girl. In front of another park there is a talented bagpipe musician accompanied by a drummer.

Further on, I think near Columbus Circle, there are a group of Tango dancers.

I take videos of all these performers and make a small movie called Sunday in New York.  This is my first attempt at producing a video clip. So, if you view it please try not to be too critical.

Meet-Up with Marcia at The Ramble - July 21, 2012

It took me a while, and some help from New Yorkers who are frequent visitors to Central Park, but eventually I find The Ramble. This is where I will meet up with Marcia Stone, who I know from Suite 101 where we both write articles from time to time. My temporary companions have a dog, and the dog has a disgusting habit. He eats grass and then vomits all over the sidewalk and himself. The mess he makes turns my stomach, but I don't let it show.

The couple that accompany me have a smart phone with a map. I will buy, out of necessity, a smart phone when I'm in Lucca ~ more about that another day ~ but for now I depend on this couple whose phone isn't as smart as they seem to think it is.

We wander around. Eventually, I believe, we are back where we met, and where I indicated a direction while making an enquiry. Now, we are heading in the direction I thought I should have been going.

This is all perfectly fine, they are pleasant companions and we discuss rent. How much rent people pay for the space they have is my favorite New York topic.

 In front of a washroom in The Ramble there is the bench Marcia described. I say goodbye to my companions. I take my Kindle out of my handbag. I begin reading and waiting for Marcia. I'm a little early. She will be a little late and apologetic for her negligible lateness.

Marcia, a microbiologist and medical researcher, has a passion for life. Today she has forgotten her peanut butter sandwich. Generally, she feeds the squirrels, pigeons and any other creatures in the woods that happen to come along.

We sit in a well-wooded area of Central Park. She is preoccupied with prions, which are small particles responsible for various diseases. I nod my head, momentarily understanding what she is saying, but know I won't remember a darn thing in a minute or two.

We wander to the lake where people can rent boats. She takes a photograph of me on the bridge. We visit Whole Foods where we have lunch.

Whole Foods is a food chain that has apparently taken New York by storm and is threatening the little neighborhood grocers who have so long held a monopoly. I marvel at the freshness of the fruits and vegetables, and the cleanliness and brightness of the store. I long for such a place in Mexico.

After lunch we hop a bus. My next stop will be 230 5th Avenue, which supposedly, offers one of the best views in the world. Obviously this is not a place Marcia would frequent.  She tries to talk me out of going. A young woman on the bus gives us a description of the bar. The more the young woman talks the more distasteful the bar becomes to Marcia.

I do not plan to pay for a trip up the Empire State Building or visit Top of the Rocks at Rockefeller Center. A bar offering a great view may work. Besides, this is one of the places that was recommended by my friend Margi.

I ride the elevator to the top of the building, look at the view, order a glass of wine, quickly drink it, and leave. Everyone is in groups, and there is no place for a single person to sit and I'm out of place.

The view was nice.