XLIV: Skateapolooza and More Farewell Tour Events
Here we go again with yet another update as the flurry of farewell tour events winds down. My mother responded to the last update by saying that she knew one was arriving in her inbox because Jimmy and I had attended a sporting event. Which begs the question, do I only send updates after sporting events, or do we only go to sporting events to occupy our time? The answer scares me. So, here is an update resplendent with more farewell tid-bits, but devoid of any references to sporting events or my attendance thereof. On Thursday, the Florham Park Roller Skating Rink hosted the 2007 Skateapolooza, alternatively titled "Jimmy's Absurdly Early 9th Birthday Party and Good-Bye to Friends Colloquy." The event was attended by 47 of the 53 members of the Assumption 2006-2007 2nd grade class. With my aunt Jane's help, each participant received a specially designed, pre-addressed, stamped postcard to send to Jimmy at a later date. Needless to say the proceedings were wildly successful.
Just a few days later, on Father's Day, Jimmy was gracious enough to accompany his father on a trip to Liberty State Park, NJ, where the two of us set off to visit Ellis and Liberty Islands. This was Jimmy's third trip to the Statue of Liberty and my first. It makes little sense that one of my last sites to see while living here was the one that so many immigrants to this country saw first. But why start making sense now? The tour to the Islands began on a ferry from Liberty State Park, in Jersey City. In an effort to maintain the authenticity of the experience of the millions of immigrants arriving at the Federal Immigration Station from 1893 to 1954, Jimmy and I were the only English-speakers on board. The ferry ride is impressive, offering incredible views of the Manhattan skyline. The first stop was Ellis Island, where the National Park Service provides an audio tour of the facility, administered through a personal headset. Having participated twice previously, Jimmy opted out of the headset tour and instead talked to me about things that the "annoying lady on the headset" was about to say. After listening to the lady (and Jimmy talking over the lady) for the first 20 minutes, I realized his version of the tour was more interesting and just as accurate. I picked up a job application for him on the way out. Most interesting to me about Ellis Island was the examination area, where immigrants were herded in to receive medical exams, each averaging approximately 6 seconds, and mostly to attempt to diagnose trachoma, a highly contagious eye condition that is potentially blinding. There was also a series of mental dexterity exams administered, in attempts to determine whether a person was crazy. Judging by the population of this country today (e.g., our new friend Buff), these examinations were woefully unsuccessful.
After that tour, we boarded another ferry and headed to the much smaller Liberty Island, just south in the harbor from Ellis Island. Here we were treated to breathtaking views of the 22-story landmark that welcomed so many of our ancestors to this country. While I tried to take pictures, there are none that justly capture what a strange and wonderful sight the statue is. The mammoth skyscrapers that dot the New York skyline today skew the perspective of the giant sculpture until you make it to the island, and there you realize the enormity of a 150-foot tall woman with a torch. Say what you will about the French, they know how to build tall stuff out of copper and iron.
On Tuesday evening, Regis and I had dinner with some friends at Vento, an Italian restaurant situated at 14th street, Hudson Street, and 9th Avenue, in the West Village section of Manhattan. It was a nice meal, preceded by drinks at the Spice Market (because the rooftop bar at the Hotel Gansevoort was closed). This section of the West Village is also known the "Meatpacking District," and runs from West 15th Street south to Gansevoort Street, and from the Hudson River east to Hudson Street. It earned this nickname because it was formerly the center of the City's slaughter and meatpacking industry. And because it is easier to say than "Gansevoort District." I like to say "Gansevoort." I think it would make a wonderful name for a baby boy. I think Jill and Patrick should have considered naming Andrew, "Gansevoort." As part of the City's overall transformation in the early 1990s, the area now has several high-end clothing stores and restaurants. For those of you that read swanky publications, you'll no doubt recall that in 2004, "New York" magazine called the Meatpacking District "New York’s most fashionable neighborhood." That same magazine will be doing a feature on my visit to the area titled "Fish Out of Water."
Hope you are all doing well.
Just a few days later, on Father's Day, Jimmy was gracious enough to accompany his father on a trip to Liberty State Park, NJ, where the two of us set off to visit Ellis and Liberty Islands. This was Jimmy's third trip to the Statue of Liberty and my first. It makes little sense that one of my last sites to see while living here was the one that so many immigrants to this country saw first. But why start making sense now? The tour to the Islands began on a ferry from Liberty State Park, in Jersey City. In an effort to maintain the authenticity of the experience of the millions of immigrants arriving at the Federal Immigration Station from 1893 to 1954, Jimmy and I were the only English-speakers on board. The ferry ride is impressive, offering incredible views of the Manhattan skyline. The first stop was Ellis Island, where the National Park Service provides an audio tour of the facility, administered through a personal headset. Having participated twice previously, Jimmy opted out of the headset tour and instead talked to me about things that the "annoying lady on the headset" was about to say. After listening to the lady (and Jimmy talking over the lady) for the first 20 minutes, I realized his version of the tour was more interesting and just as accurate. I picked up a job application for him on the way out. Most interesting to me about Ellis Island was the examination area, where immigrants were herded in to receive medical exams, each averaging approximately 6 seconds, and mostly to attempt to diagnose trachoma, a highly contagious eye condition that is potentially blinding. There was also a series of mental dexterity exams administered, in attempts to determine whether a person was crazy. Judging by the population of this country today (e.g., our new friend Buff), these examinations were woefully unsuccessful.
After that tour, we boarded another ferry and headed to the much smaller Liberty Island, just south in the harbor from Ellis Island. Here we were treated to breathtaking views of the 22-story landmark that welcomed so many of our ancestors to this country. While I tried to take pictures, there are none that justly capture what a strange and wonderful sight the statue is. The mammoth skyscrapers that dot the New York skyline today skew the perspective of the giant sculpture until you make it to the island, and there you realize the enormity of a 150-foot tall woman with a torch. Say what you will about the French, they know how to build tall stuff out of copper and iron.
On Tuesday evening, Regis and I had dinner with some friends at Vento, an Italian restaurant situated at 14th street, Hudson Street, and 9th Avenue, in the West Village section of Manhattan. It was a nice meal, preceded by drinks at the Spice Market (because the rooftop bar at the Hotel Gansevoort was closed). This section of the West Village is also known the "Meatpacking District," and runs from West 15th Street south to Gansevoort Street, and from the Hudson River east to Hudson Street. It earned this nickname because it was formerly the center of the City's slaughter and meatpacking industry. And because it is easier to say than "Gansevoort District." I like to say "Gansevoort." I think it would make a wonderful name for a baby boy. I think Jill and Patrick should have considered naming Andrew, "Gansevoort." As part of the City's overall transformation in the early 1990s, the area now has several high-end clothing stores and restaurants. For those of you that read swanky publications, you'll no doubt recall that in 2004, "New York" magazine called the Meatpacking District "New York’s most fashionable neighborhood." That same magazine will be doing a feature on my visit to the area titled "Fish Out of Water."
Hope you are all doing well.
posted by Watts at 8:54 PM
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