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

 

Chicago, My Kind of Town

 

Frank Sinatra was not kidding when he sang "My Kind of Town, Chicago is."  And I bet more people will agree with him. After all, what's not to like about Chi-town. It has everything you look for in a big city (towering skyscrapers, international cuisine, world-class shopping, bright party lights), but has all the charm of a small town (amiable & artistic people, picturesque street scene). It is more of a big small town than a giant metropolis. Just my kind of town, too.

 

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Photo Wednesday: Think of him …

 

on Monday, May 10, Election Day.

 

 

While walking the streets of Binondo, we saw a baby sleeping soundlessly inside a shopping basket oblivious to his surroundings, while a man was standing over him withdrawing money from an ATM. It is an ironic and sad scene. Something to think about before Election day comes.

 

 

 

(Photo: Binondo, 2010)

Photo Wednesday: Stop and Listen to the Music

 

 

Everyday is always a rush - a routine almost. Everyday, on my way to and from work, I always have earphones plugged in my ears to block the street noise. I tried something different last week, which I intend to practice as often as possible. I tried to appreciate from a different perspective the noise created by the big city. It was empowering. I realized that the world we live in is a large playlist in itself. The honking of vehicles stuck in traffic, the murmurs of people talking, the loud bass of a videoke playing, and the occassional sound of the harmonica or guitar strings played by a blind musician in a street corner somewhere make a certain kind of music.

I share this realization to you. Sure, we may crave to hear our favorite song once in a while, but let's take off those earphones on our next route and stop and listen to the music for a change. 

Click here and here to sample the music of some "tunnel" musicians.

 

 

(Photo: New York, 2005)

Photo Wednesday: Shades in between

 

Life is like a good black and white photograph,
there's black, there's white, and lots of shades in between.
- Karl Heiner

 

I always get the most interesting shots from the less touristy spots of a place. When visiting a place for the first time, my first instinct is to go to its most popular attractions. I promised myself, that my second visits should be to go to where the locals frequent and capture the real life scenes. That is, the black, the white, and the shady parts of their life.

This photo was captured during my first time in Chicago, but having two weeks on my sleeve and a fully-charged camera battery, I was able to capture both.

 

 (Photo: Chicago, 2005)

Photo Wednesday: Lesson of Worship

                                                                                                                                                                                            

The happiest man is he who learns from nature the lesson of worship.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

Started as a pagan practice in the province of Aklan in the Philippines, Ati-atihan is now celebrated as a religious festival  held every third Sunday of January in honor of Santo Niño (Infant Jesus).

 

Photo Wednesday: Dark Light

 

In life, we are given choices. To go left or right, to go up or down, to do right or wrong, or to go with the light or remain in the dark. It is up to us.. How about you? Where do you go?

 

 

(Photo: New York, 2005)