The Big Apple is the old New Orange

 

Before it became known as New York City, it was called New Amsterdam and New Orange. Say what? Funny how New York is now famously called Big Apple when it was previously called New Orange, huh?

It appears that the territory where New York City now lies was discovered by the Dutch (Not counting the original Indian settlers). The discovery was a result of an attempt by the Dutch to find a short cut to India for the Dutch East India Company. The territory was called New Netherland and its capital was called New Amsterdam. Local trade flourished making it attractive to other European colonial powers, including the English.

In 1664, English frigates invaded the territory, prompting the Dutch to cede power to England and led to the fall of New Amsterdam. Under English rule, the territory was named New York City, after the Duke of York (later King James II), who was the brother of King Charles II.

Not the kind to back down, the Dutch reclaimed power and renamed it New Orange in 1673.

Probably tired of all the squabble and diminishing fund, a treaty was signed and the city was relinquished to the English and was named New York again.

Interesting history for an equally interesting megacity!

 

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DISCLAIMER: I am not a historian. Travel just opened up my world and  New York's history just happened to get my attention. I do not ensure accuracy of the facts stated herein, so please confer to official publications for a complete historical overview.

Main Source: http://bit.ly/bIpLYY

 

Skyline: New York, NY

The city of superlatives. When asked to describe NY, one cannot help but use every superlative in the dictionary. It is big - the largest city in the US. It has the most number of high-rise buildings in America - second in the World. It is exciting - tagged as the "City that never sleeps." It is the capital of business - home to Wall Street. It sets the trend in fashion - host of the Fashion Week. The list goes on. Clearly, New York City is so much more than its skyscrapers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo Wednesday: Grandparents' Stardust

 

 

Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do.
Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of little children.
- Alex Haley

 

 Unknowingly, our grandparents influence us one way or another.  For those of us whose grandparents were physically there for us, they could mean supporter, role model, mentor, playmates, or travel buddies. For those geographically impossible to be together, emotional presence is just the same significant.

My grandfather was my travel buddy when I was younger. I remember how my cousins and I  would make a bee line towards his car whenever he would go visit the farm. It is too bad that we didn't have pictures from all those little field trips. I am definitely a recipient of those stardusts.

The same is true with my niece. On one of her regular check ups, my niece who was 4 years old at that time told her doctor, "My problem is that my mama and papa are going home to the Philippines." aaaw.

 

 (Photo: Central Park, NY, 2005)

New York in a day

 

 

Five years ago, someone convinced me to visit New York before I go back to the Philippines. I really was not set on going. Having set foot in America was enough for me. Little did I know that I would be falling in love with the city and will have a chance of coming back. 

The first time (2005) that I visited New York, I stayed for one week. One day of "orientation" and I was on my own for the rest of the week. Some people would think that traveling alone is lonely or even dangerous especially in New York, but from all my travels, the most memorable and most fun were the ones where I traveled by myself. In the case of New York, the danger that came with the territory made it more exciting. So, on my second visit (2009) to New York, I knew where to take my teammates. 

We were training in Charlottesville, Virginia, so weekends were our only free time. New York is so near that it would be a waste not to visit. Our solution: a weekend road trip! 

 

Touristy spots you should not pass up when you are in New York for just one day: 

1. St. Patrick's Cathedral
2. Philippine Consulate
3. Rockefeller Center - NBC Studio
4. Time's Square - Radio City/Broadway
5. Grand Central Terminal
6. Liberty Island - Statue of Liberty
7. Ellis Island
8. Ground Zero
9. Wall Street - New York Stock Exchange
10. Brooklyn Bridge
11. Chinatown
12. Little Italy
13. Empire State Building 

  

St. Patrick's Cathedral

Said to be the largest Catholic Church in the United States. Of course, this would not compare in size to our churches here in the Philippines, but keep an open mind. The Philippines is predominantly Catholic, while the U.S. is not. It is impressive nonetheless.  A simple prayer is good to start a day of adventure in the Big Apple. Keep in mind: "Travel with an open mind." 

 

Philippine Consulate

This was really not in our itinerary, but we walked right into it. So, while in the area why not pass by. "To appreciate home, travel." 

 

 

Rockefeller Center

A visit of New York is not complete without seeing Radio City and the GE Building, which are both located in the complex. 

 

 

Time's Square

Times Square is like the "Crossroads of the World," and has been called as such by some.  It has achieved the status of an iconic world landmark and has become a symbol of New York City.  People flock this major intersection during New Year's Eve for the countdown. On regular days, you can see the hustle and bustle of people amidst the colorful neon signs. Trivia: there is a zoning ordinances requiring building owners to display illuminated signs in Time's Square. 

 

 

Grand Central Terminal

Aside from being picturesque, there are several restaurants and fast-food outlets below the main concourse. 

 

Statue of Liberty

A visit of New York would not be complete without a visit of Liberty Island. The Statue of Liberty was given by the people of France to the United States as a gesture of friendship established between the two countries during the American Revolution. Today, it has become the symbol of freedom and liberty. 

 

 

Ellis Island
 
Millions passed through the island in the 1800s. It was witness to the immigration boom of Europeans to America. The island used to be the port of entry of people wanting to immigrate into the US. Today, the old facility was transformed into a museum.

 

 

Ground Zero
 
The site of the former World Trade Center has now become a part of tourists itinerary. A memorial is under construction (as of 2009), so there is not much to see. A bit of imagination is necessary.
 
  

Wall Street
 
This is where all the action is... for stocks at least. Most US stock exchanges are headquartered in this neighborhood, including NYSE,  AMEX, and NASDAQ. You always hear them on the news, why not see them for yourself.

 

 

Brooklyn Bridge
 
Another most photographed part of the big city. The bridge connects Manhattan and Brooklyn. This is just one of New York's many suspension bridges. Hence, a visit to one should not be missed.

 

 

Chinatown
 
The largest chinatown in America. It's our version of Binondo in the Philippines. It is sprawling with restaurants, fruit and fish markets, and souvenir shops. Much like our own Binondo, it is crowded, so do not be surprised. 

 

 

Little Italy
 
Get the feel of Italy in New York. You could go for an Al fresco dining experience or just walk the narrow, cobble-stoned street and immerse yourself with Italian culture. If you forgot to buy a souvenir in Chinatown, there are also a few shops in Little Italy.
 
 

Empire State Building
 
One of my teammates cousin lives in an apartment that has a great view of the New York skyscrapers, so we chose this over the viewing deck of the Empire State. No entrance fee, no long lines, no crowd. Just us and the city. What a great way to end a beautiful day. 

 

 

One week was not enough, more so one day. Making the most out of what time you have is the only way to go. 

 

for more photos

2004 visit

2009 visit

 

 

 

New York stories

At the JFK Airport, I tried to pull one of the push carts from a line of carts. With all my force, I attempted without success to pull one out. (I never had a problem getting one in L.A. and in Chicago) A teenage girl approached me and  said that I have to drop some pennies in the machine. (meron pala magnet to control the release of the push carts) Hehehe nakakahiya!

At the security line.. right before boarding the ferry for Liberty Island (This is the island where the Statue of Liberty is located and just walking distance from where the World Trade Center used to stand ..now known as Ground Zero, so the security is pretty much at the highest level. The World Trade Center was the target of a terrorist attack last 9/11/2001.).. when it was my turn for the security check, (same with the security checks in airports, we we’re required to take off our shoes, jackets, belts, metal accessories, etc.) first came off my shoes ..then my jacket.. I went under the metal detector.. toot toot toot. Uh oh.. "Belt", said the guard. I wasn't wearing any. I went under the machine again (a long line was behind me).. the mischievous machine went.. toot toot toot again! ..the guard said in his serious face, “You’re in trouble.” If I was with somebody, my heart wouldn’t have stopped for a second or so, but then I was by myself at that time.. detained in New York? What will I do?.. my heart unfroze only when the guard said.. “Just Kidding”.. hay naku!.. tama ba naman yan, wrong timing and wrong place naman ang joke nya. Hahaha

While riding the subway from Manhattan to Queens, my attention was captivated by this middle-aged black man in business suit. Sobrang maamo ang mukha, I can’t help but stare at him. ( I knew I might get in trouble for it, as people in the US usually don’t want to be stared at, but I just couldn’t help myself at that time. ) In came a black teenaged boy in grungy clothes with a few of his buddies. He took the seat beside this black businessman. (They were both sitting across me) The businessman was just sitting idly the whole train ride. When the teenaged boy finally disembarked from the train, the black businessman checked his back pocket to see if he’s wallet was still there. Hahaha Sila-sila rin pla eh, wary sa isa’t isa. I guess, dapat lang naman talaga. Especially in NY.

This one, was not so pleasant or it was at least when the day started. My relative, Loudette, gave me a tour of Manhattan. NBC Studio, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, 5th Ave., Tiffany & Co., Central Park… When lunch time came.. we ended up at The Boat House (an upscale restaurant right beside a beautiful lake in the middle of Central Park. Loudette said there was a not-too-well-known-celebrity sitting just a few tables from us. We were the only asians around) We finished eating and were just talking over coffee, when the waiter asked us to transfer to another table. The nerve! (We had a nice view from where we sat) Now, we didn’t want them to intimidate us that easily. We we’re paying customers as well. Loudette talked to the manager. But he just apologized for the incovenience and repeated the waiters first plea. He didn’t even offered to let us stay at this coveted table for as long as we wanted or even just to finish our coffee. Ang bastos! Syempre, tinapos pa rin namin ang coffee namin. Ano sila.. sinswerte. When I related this story to others, they said it was a classic story of discrimination. In this age and time, it is so sad to think that racial discrimination still persist.