Sunday, July 29, 2007
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Friday, July 06, 2007
July 6 Senate Bldg. Mt. Vernon
I really hate it when I spend 40 minutes putting my thoughts down on paper all to have them not save.
Maybe I'll come back to it when I'm in the mood again.
Below is a quote from George Washington's Rules of Civility;
110th Labour to keep alive in your Breast that Little Spark of Celestial fire Called Conscience.
Thursday, July 05, 2007
July 4 Parade Floating the Potomac
What an interesting 4th. It started out when I went to the parade. I took the Metro to 12th and Constitution and watched the parade atop a sidewalk flower. It was a special experience, but I do wish I could have spent it with family. The crowds are huge. I was probably watching it from about 10 rows back from the sidewalk. Some of the marchers were from Texas, Louisana, and the South. Since I arrived at the parade early I had the time to go uptown and get a burger. It was actually pretty pleasant as the stress was not there since I knew where I was at and knew which subway to get back... at least until next time. I bought a red, white, and blue hat since I had left my other one in the room.
Linda called and said that they would be here to pick me up at my hotel at 2:00 so I left early so as not to keep them waiting. Bob, Linda, and Chris arrived at about 1:45. It was good to see them. Next, we drove about 45 minutes to Bob's house and loaded up some kayaks. They planned something for me that they knew I would like to do. They took me geocaching on a trail about 30 minutes from Bob's house that was actually part of the Appalachian Trail that goes from just above Florida to Maine. We met a hiker that had been on the trail since April and had started in Georgia. The cache site was near a rock outcropping that overlooked the Potomac River and Harpers Ferry. Chris (Littlefoot) found the cache after looking under a few overhanging rocks. It rained on us and so we were wet the rest of the time. It was very much like Crescent City since it like a rain forest except for the fact that it was much warmer. Next we put the kayaks in and floated down the Potomac River. The Potomac is the same river that flows by Washington, DC and separates West (?) Virginia. The upper is much less developed of course. It probably flowed at about 1-2 miles per hour. It was probably 200 yards wide, but we could see the bottom at 3-4 feet. We took a couple of the side channels and it reminded me a lot of floating down Mill Creek with all the overhanging trees. It was a great float in an area with a lot of history. Chris and Bob kept Linda and I entertained with their water gun antics. Chris won.
Linda called and said that they would be here to pick me up at my hotel at 2:00 so I left early so as not to keep them waiting. Bob, Linda, and Chris arrived at about 1:45. It was good to see them. Next, we drove about 45 minutes to Bob's house and loaded up some kayaks. They planned something for me that they knew I would like to do. They took me geocaching on a trail about 30 minutes from Bob's house that was actually part of the Appalachian Trail that goes from just above Florida to Maine. We met a hiker that had been on the trail since April and had started in Georgia. The cache site was near a rock outcropping that overlooked the Potomac River and Harpers Ferry. Chris (Littlefoot) found the cache after looking under a few overhanging rocks. It rained on us and so we were wet the rest of the time. It was very much like Crescent City since it like a rain forest except for the fact that it was much warmer. Next we put the kayaks in and floated down the Potomac River. The Potomac is the same river that flows by Washington, DC and separates West (?) Virginia. The upper is much less developed of course. It probably flowed at about 1-2 miles per hour. It was probably 200 yards wide, but we could see the bottom at 3-4 feet. We took a couple of the side channels and it reminded me a lot of floating down Mill Creek with all the overhanging trees. It was a great float in an area with a lot of history. Chris and Bob kept Linda and I entertained with their water gun antics. Chris won.
June 3 Washington DC
June 3 Washington, DC
Today we had two workshops at a place called Decatur House which is just around the corner from the White House. One was about the history of children writing letters and the different ways that Presidents’ respond. The other was about how to use the lesson plans about the White House in the classroom. That was too much like school and I was wishing that someone, anyone would call me and I would have to leave the room. They didn’t, I did. I walked around until it was time for lunch. I bought HB a really pretty scarf. See, I did put my time to good use.
The White House Tour was not as good as I expected. I think that it took me longer to fill out all the paperwork I had to submit than the actual tour lasted. But, I did get to see the inside. Evidently the President was there, but we weren’t a large enough group of supporters. I think that as an organization teachers are for the most part Democrats, but that doesn’t mean that Mrs. Bush couldn’t have made an appearance. Observation: Guys are for the most part big boys. As we were leaving the White House grounds there was a very muscular security guard that was about 7’ tall carrying a small arsenal. Machine gun with sight, side arm, flak jacket, a belt full of….whatever. For the next hour that’s all that these two guys were talking about, they didn’t mention one thing about the White House.
Again we were treated to a nice lunch; build your own sandwiches, chips, drinks. After that we went to the National Archives to listen to another talk about field trips there. I don’t think that the lady realized that we were from California. She was going on an on as if we may really bring our classes there.
Anyway, I left because my feet were getting tired and I wanted to put them up at the hotel for awhile… right in front of the air conditioner. I got on the correct line, but managed to get off on the wrong stop. I don’t think there are too many people that can stretch a 3 minute bus ride into a 30 minute walk. I did. I think that I’ll throw my socks and shoes away before I get home. They’re defiled. Remember those dress clothes (slacks, button up shirt, shoes, belt) I brought to go to the White House? You don’t? I did. Anyway, they’re still in my luggage and I still haven’t worn them. All I’ve been doing is lugging them around. Now I understand where the term luggage comes from. I would really have felt bad if I’d brought a suitcase and a suit.
Van, the guy I’m rooming with came in about 6:00 and heard that there was going to be a dress rehearsal of the entertainment at the steps of the Capital Building. It was in preparation for the entertainment on the 4th. Anyway, we got there and you had to go through a security checkpoint to get into the viewing area. We got some great seats on the steps of the Capital, but of course it was so far back that the performers looking like ants on the stage. Tony Dantzman was the MC. There were some bands playing and singers singing. We were there for only about an hour, but it was really cool. The Washington National Philharmonic Orchestra played about three pieces and they ended the night with Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture complete with real cannon fire. At the very end of it the rain started falling. We decided it was one of the things, either that piece has the power to change the elements, or all the musicians were cleaning their pipes on the final note.
Today we had two workshops at a place called Decatur House which is just around the corner from the White House. One was about the history of children writing letters and the different ways that Presidents’ respond. The other was about how to use the lesson plans about the White House in the classroom. That was too much like school and I was wishing that someone, anyone would call me and I would have to leave the room. They didn’t, I did. I walked around until it was time for lunch. I bought HB a really pretty scarf. See, I did put my time to good use.
The White House Tour was not as good as I expected. I think that it took me longer to fill out all the paperwork I had to submit than the actual tour lasted. But, I did get to see the inside. Evidently the President was there, but we weren’t a large enough group of supporters. I think that as an organization teachers are for the most part Democrats, but that doesn’t mean that Mrs. Bush couldn’t have made an appearance. Observation: Guys are for the most part big boys. As we were leaving the White House grounds there was a very muscular security guard that was about 7’ tall carrying a small arsenal. Machine gun with sight, side arm, flak jacket, a belt full of….whatever. For the next hour that’s all that these two guys were talking about, they didn’t mention one thing about the White House.
Again we were treated to a nice lunch; build your own sandwiches, chips, drinks. After that we went to the National Archives to listen to another talk about field trips there. I don’t think that the lady realized that we were from California. She was going on an on as if we may really bring our classes there.
Anyway, I left because my feet were getting tired and I wanted to put them up at the hotel for awhile… right in front of the air conditioner. I got on the correct line, but managed to get off on the wrong stop. I don’t think there are too many people that can stretch a 3 minute bus ride into a 30 minute walk. I did. I think that I’ll throw my socks and shoes away before I get home. They’re defiled. Remember those dress clothes (slacks, button up shirt, shoes, belt) I brought to go to the White House? You don’t? I did. Anyway, they’re still in my luggage and I still haven’t worn them. All I’ve been doing is lugging them around. Now I understand where the term luggage comes from. I would really have felt bad if I’d brought a suitcase and a suit.
Van, the guy I’m rooming with came in about 6:00 and heard that there was going to be a dress rehearsal of the entertainment at the steps of the Capital Building. It was in preparation for the entertainment on the 4th. Anyway, we got there and you had to go through a security checkpoint to get into the viewing area. We got some great seats on the steps of the Capital, but of course it was so far back that the performers looking like ants on the stage. Tony Dantzman was the MC. There were some bands playing and singers singing. We were there for only about an hour, but it was really cool. The Washington National Philharmonic Orchestra played about three pieces and they ended the night with Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture complete with real cannon fire. At the very end of it the rain started falling. We decided it was one of the things, either that piece has the power to change the elements, or all the musicians were cleaning their pipes on the final note.
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Gettysburg June 2
June 2 Gettysburg
After we left Philadelphia we had about a 2-1/2 hour bus ride to Gettysburg during which we watched the DVD Gettysburg. This entire area is a historical area. It’s really disheartening to think that of all the people that we’ve lost in battle throughout our nation’s history, we did so fighting against ourselves, brother and against brother, countrymen against countrymen.
To see the scope and size of the battlefield at Gettysburg makes me sad. Of course, that is the only really battlefield I’ve ever seen. But this is American soil. They spoke the same language, they had the same ancestors, they were the descendents of those that had fought side by side against the British for their freedom.
The NPS tour guide met us a the motel and gave us an interesting and entertaining talk prior to going to the battlefield. What surprised me the most was the fact that leading up to this conflict Gettysburg was even not the top choice to do battle on. It was just circumstance that led to both sides being there. Also, the Confederates were 8-0-1 and so they came into the battle with a lot of confidence. While most of the monuments we stopped at did not mean much, there were so many that it helped put into perspective the size of the conflict. Also, we were there on the eve of the anniversary, July 1-3, 1863.
After we left Philadelphia we had about a 2-1/2 hour bus ride to Gettysburg during which we watched the DVD Gettysburg. This entire area is a historical area. It’s really disheartening to think that of all the people that we’ve lost in battle throughout our nation’s history, we did so fighting against ourselves, brother and against brother, countrymen against countrymen.
To see the scope and size of the battlefield at Gettysburg makes me sad. Of course, that is the only really battlefield I’ve ever seen. But this is American soil. They spoke the same language, they had the same ancestors, they were the descendents of those that had fought side by side against the British for their freedom.
The NPS tour guide met us a the motel and gave us an interesting and entertaining talk prior to going to the battlefield. What surprised me the most was the fact that leading up to this conflict Gettysburg was even not the top choice to do battle on. It was just circumstance that led to both sides being there. Also, the Confederates were 8-0-1 and so they came into the battle with a lot of confidence. While most of the monuments we stopped at did not mean much, there were so many that it helped put into perspective the size of the conflict. Also, we were there on the eve of the anniversary, July 1-3, 1863.
The Battle of Gettysburg (July 1 – July 3, 1863), fought in, and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, as part of the Gettysburg Campaign, was the battle with the largest number of casualties in the American Civil War[1] and is frequently cited as the war's turning point.[2] Union Maj. Gen. George Gordon Meade's Army of the Potomac defeated attacks by Confederate General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia, ending Lee's invasion of the North.
Following his success at Chancellorsville in May 1863, Lee led his army through the Shenandoah Valley for his second invasion of the North, hoping to reach as far as Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, or even Philadelphia, and to influence Northern politicians to give up their prosecution of the war. Prodded by President Abraham Lincoln, Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker moved his army in pursuit but was relieved almost on the eve of battle and replaced by Meade.
The two armies began to collide at Gettysburg on July 1, 1863, as Lee urgently concentrated his forces there. Low ridges to the northwest of town were defended initially by a Union cavalry division, which was soon reinforced with two corps of Union infantry. However, two large Confederate corps assaulted them from the northwest and north, collapsing the hastily developed Union lines, sending the defenders retreating through the streets of town to the hills just to the south.
On the second day of battle, most of both armies had assembled. The Union line was laid out in a defensive formation resembling a fishhook. Lee launched a heavy assault on the Union left flank, and fierce fighting raged at Little Round Top, the Wheatfield, Devil's Den, and the Peach Orchard. On the Union right, demonstrations escalated into full-scale assaults on Culp's Hill and Cemetery Hill. Across the battlefield, despite significant losses, the Union defenders held their lines.
On the third day of battle, July 3, fighting resumed on Culp's Hill, and cavalry battles raged to the east and south, but the main event was a dramatic infantry assault by 12,500 Confederates against the center of the Union line on Cemetery Ridge. Pickett's Charge was repulsed by Union rifle and artillery fire at great losses to the Confederate army. Lee led his army on a torturous retreat back to Virginia. Between 46,000 and 51,000 Americans were casualties in the three-day battle. That November, President Lincoln used the dedication ceremony for the Gettysburg National Cemetery to honor the dead, both Union and Confederate, and redefine the purpose of the war in his historic Gettysburg Address.
-Wikipedia
It was sad to see the very ground that men and women had died in such a horrific war. The conditions were terrible at best; hot, humid, exhausted troops, little to no rations, trying to lie down where they could without being bitten by the snakes. The bravery that these men exhibited was amazing. They both totally believed in their cause. If the Confederates had won, there very well be slavery alive and well in what is now the United States.
I stood on the very ground where Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address. Again, it was as if I were standing in the presence of greatness. It really is a hallowed ground. The very blades of grass are nourished by the blood spilled on these grounds. It really makes me believe that there are people called to do things that are beyond a normal human capacity. This trip makes me realize how much sacrifice has been given to allow the freedom we have today. It is only in our small window of time that we equate what we have, and in reality, we are only the beneficiaries of the freedoms that others have died for. It so easy to say, but there is so much to comprehend.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
June 30 Philadelphia Liberty Bell
As you can see by my last post I had a lot of time to write. Don’t worry, I’ll correct it later. Bus rides are kind of anti-climatic, so I’ll not even go there. I suppose one who is an astute observer of man…and woman-kind could find something salient and interesting to write about it, but personally I don’t like to type.
Now, Philadelphia of course, was very interesting. We were able to go in and see the real Liberty Bell. It is testament of history that pealed its message to the founders of our nation. It was, like at St. Paul's in New York, as if I were standing in the presence of greatness. Such a young country we are, and yet we have so much history. It seems like every age has its apex, the period at which it is at its height, and its low period, the age at which people question its direction. I think that we are at its low point, and we are about to strike out in a new direction. I wonder what direction it will be. The only thing that is constant, is change.
I was able to tour through our nation’s first capital, before it was moved to DC. What struck me as most memorable was the fact that the Congress and Senate were in the same building, the Congress on the first floor, and the Senate on the second floor. Great men with high ideals made big directions that we attempt to abide by today.
The Philadelphia Convention (now also known as the Constitutional Convention, the Federal Convention, or the "Grand Convention at Philadelphia") took place from May 25 to September 17, 1787, to address problems in The United States of America following independence from Great Britain. Although it was purportedly intended only to revise the Articles of Confederation, the intention of many of the Convention's proponents, chief among them James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, was from the outset to create a new government rather than "fix" the existing one. The delegates elected George Washington to preside over the convention. The result of the Convention was the United States Constitution. The Convention is one of the central events in the history of the United States.
-Wikipedia
I suppose any country can lay claim to “God’s will,” but I wonder if he doesn't really just bestow greatness to any that are moving in the right direction.
I had a Philly Cheese Sandwich, and I can say, with all honesty, that HB makes them better than the one I had. Now, that’s not to say that I got to all of them, but I ate until my stomach said “NO.” I really did get a feel of patriotism and love of country while in Philadelphia. I would imagine that on the 4th, it really breaks loose there. There was a great multi-media presentation (great speaker) about our country that was very moving.
Now, Philadelphia of course, was very interesting. We were able to go in and see the real Liberty Bell. It is testament of history that pealed its message to the founders of our nation. It was, like at St. Paul's in New York, as if I were standing in the presence of greatness. Such a young country we are, and yet we have so much history. It seems like every age has its apex, the period at which it is at its height, and its low period, the age at which people question its direction. I think that we are at its low point, and we are about to strike out in a new direction. I wonder what direction it will be. The only thing that is constant, is change.
I was able to tour through our nation’s first capital, before it was moved to DC. What struck me as most memorable was the fact that the Congress and Senate were in the same building, the Congress on the first floor, and the Senate on the second floor. Great men with high ideals made big directions that we attempt to abide by today.
The Philadelphia Convention (now also known as the Constitutional Convention, the Federal Convention, or the "Grand Convention at Philadelphia") took place from May 25 to September 17, 1787, to address problems in The United States of America following independence from Great Britain. Although it was purportedly intended only to revise the Articles of Confederation, the intention of many of the Convention's proponents, chief among them James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, was from the outset to create a new government rather than "fix" the existing one. The delegates elected George Washington to preside over the convention. The result of the Convention was the United States Constitution. The Convention is one of the central events in the history of the United States.
-Wikipedia
I suppose any country can lay claim to “God’s will,” but I wonder if he doesn't really just bestow greatness to any that are moving in the right direction.
I had a Philly Cheese Sandwich, and I can say, with all honesty, that HB makes them better than the one I had. Now, that’s not to say that I got to all of them, but I ate until my stomach said “NO.” I really did get a feel of patriotism and love of country while in Philadelphia. I would imagine that on the 4th, it really breaks loose there. There was a great multi-media presentation (great speaker) about our country that was very moving.
June 29 Bus Tour St. Paul's GZ
June 29 Bus Tour St. Paul’s Cathedral GZ
Life doesn’t change much, my breakfast the last three mornings have been pretty much the same; a muffin and cup of coffee. It seems like the shops are pretty much form a repetious pattern. I go to the corner, buy from a street vendor and sit down and eat on the steps. I watch the people go by and think how much different their life is from mine. I am in my own world and so are they.
Culture, by definition, are the behaviors, habits, and that make up a group of people. I had always thought of culture as in different countries, but now I must re-define that conception. I see there are indeed cultural differences in a microcultural level, area to area of a city, as well as on a broader scale. Cities, especially, have their own culture, but we do not see that as a culture, but rather our own perception of how we feel there. I would think that even a person growing up in one city may feel a sense of disconnect when going to another city. Their learning curve may be much quicker, but I would think that they too do not feel intirely comfortable.
That culture and feeling really come across when walking around the neighborhoods. There is a sense of belonging and identity to the people that live there. They do the same things that we do in a small community; go to work, shop, and find ways to entertain themselves. They may do it differently than I do, but they go through the same motions. They feel comfortable in there surrounding as I do in mine. I especially like the feeling of community in these small neighborhoods. It’s not that I don’t feel it in mine it’s just that I see it easier here. I see small stores every 30’ with individual owners that must provide a service to the people in their neighborhood. If they do not fulfill that service they go out of business. These owners have much to lose, much more, than say, a person that works at a large store and therefore has little to no responsibility to the success or failure of the store. These large stores have been the death knell for the sense of community and neighborhood. That is not to say that we do not have those, only that their definition is evolving. The only thing constant is change.
Unfortunately, as I write this the only thing that really sticks out in my mind towards the end of the bus tour. We did drive through the city seeing the sights. We stopped at a house that George Washington lived in when he was a general of the Union forces. The house sat on a hill that was at the highest point on the land as well as having a commanding view of the channels that come up on either side of it. We didn’t go in the house, just walked around it.
We stopped at a beautiful bridge that had a commanding view of the New York skyline as well as a dramatic view of the Statue of Liberty. While walking across there were comments by others of, “wow, what a beautiful skyline.” I didn’t quite feel that way. It was very photographic to me, but not necessairly beautiful. Beautiful to me is a mountain range of a sunset over the ocean,. To each his won. Lynn Wood had purchased some spaghetti bowls at a place called Little Italy. She had carried them quite awhile and it looked as if her arms were getting tired so I offered to carry them for her. Pretty soon everyone started asking me to carry their items too. I declined. But, I know that anything carried for a time can become tired, so we ended up switching off and on for the remainder of the trip.
We then walked about 2 blocks to St. Paul’s Cathedral, a beautiful church built in about 1762. Of course it was built with the large granite blocks as well as the spires reaching for the sky. Someone asked me why I thought they had tall spires on old churches. Personally, I think that they built these churches this way because in a sense the prayers of the people were being directed to God. While on this trip I try to remember to show respect to those that have gone on before as well as to what the church or building has witnessed through the ages. There aren’t too many churches that I walk in and I feel of presence of something. Most churches to me are just buildings where I show respect because of the use of that building. When I walked into St. Paul’s I had the feeling that something very important had happened there. It was a sense of power, of solemness, of reverence. Of course it was a church, but to me it exuded power. During 911 it had been used as a rest and replenishment area for the rescue firemen working to find people. There were candles burning, to which I found out later were to take the prayers of people to heaven. There were mementoes, heart-wrenching letters and pictures to and from those who had lost their lives.
There was a bench that George Washington had sat in while attending the church. Just writing about this makes these emotions wail up in me again. I walked up near the pulpit to get a view of what the minister might have had of George Washington as he was sitting there. It’s hard to explain, but I do feel as if I were in the presence of power and greatness. No, not really just that, but maybe it can best be explained by the lingering fragrance of a beautiful perfume, but with a sense of power and not smell.
Next, we walked to the back of the church and listened while Ken, the tour guide told us about 911 and the buildings that had been across the street. The church was an oasis in the middle of a concrete jungle. High-rises rose on three sides and had been on the 4th side prior to 911. The church and graves, and old shady trees were a stark contrast to the past and the present.
The Twin Towers site looked somewhat like any new construction site. There were workers in bright vest and yellow hard hats scurrying around the site. They had the area, which was about 100 yards square, cut deep into the earth preparing it for a memorial that will go up there. While I know that many people died here, I did not feel the power here. Maybe it was because it was all concentrated at the church.
Anyway, at that point about 4 of us left the group and made our way to the subway and our hotel as we had to go there and get the tickets for the Yankees vs. As game. Sue Pass, Janet Parker, Charity, and I basically followed the crowd to the entrance. It’s neat to feel the excitement of the game especially since we were in one of baseball’s special places. What made it more important was the fact that this was the last season here as they are already building a new stadium across the parking lot. As soon as we walked on the grounds I bought a hotdog as I was really hungry since I hadn’t eaten anything for about 6 hours. I really didn’t know where my seat was but rather than try to find it I walked to the field levels seats to ask an attendant. Of course I took my time and relished the moment and the view prior to asking and being informed that my seat was “up there, way up there.” He was right, we were behind home plate, and well, well, out of the range and hopes of any foul balls. I only wish that my family had been there to enjoy the experience. That would have made it a 12 instead if a 7. The As lost, but I walked away on cloud 9. I was amazed how fast the stadium cleared out and everyone made their way to the subway. I was very impressed how efficently that masses of humanity went their own separate ways. I was so tired that I don’t remember if I called or emailed, but I do know that as soon as my head hit the pillow I was out.
The next morning we took about a 1-1/2 bus ride to the home of Theodore Roosevelt at place called Saga no (sp) and toured his home where he spent 4 months of the year. I really didn’t know too much about him and can only now appreciate all he did for wildlife and conservation. He loved the outdoors and cared about the future of the wild areas of our country. Also, he was very family oriented another thing that I admire about a person. I think that he would’ve been a person I would have voted for President. We then went to see a huge model of the City of New York. I was probably the size of a professional basketball court. No, about 1-1/2 times as large. There was also a huge sculpture of Earth set in the middle of a huge concrete shallow pool that is used as an ice skating rink in the winter and skateboarding place in the summer. Upon leaving we saw the unique skywriters. There were 6 planes flying side by side and at just the correct moment they would emit smoke which between all six of them formed letters in the sky. Very cool. They were advertising something about US Tennis Open and tickets. There weren’t too many people on the bus because some had opted out of the trip rather than sit on the bus again all day so I was able to scoot around getting the best view.
When we got back Janet and Mary felt like they wanted to stretch their legs so we walled around the neighborhood until we good place to eat Thai food.
Life doesn’t change much, my breakfast the last three mornings have been pretty much the same; a muffin and cup of coffee. It seems like the shops are pretty much form a repetious pattern. I go to the corner, buy from a street vendor and sit down and eat on the steps. I watch the people go by and think how much different their life is from mine. I am in my own world and so are they.
Culture, by definition, are the behaviors, habits, and that make up a group of people. I had always thought of culture as in different countries, but now I must re-define that conception. I see there are indeed cultural differences in a microcultural level, area to area of a city, as well as on a broader scale. Cities, especially, have their own culture, but we do not see that as a culture, but rather our own perception of how we feel there. I would think that even a person growing up in one city may feel a sense of disconnect when going to another city. Their learning curve may be much quicker, but I would think that they too do not feel intirely comfortable.
That culture and feeling really come across when walking around the neighborhoods. There is a sense of belonging and identity to the people that live there. They do the same things that we do in a small community; go to work, shop, and find ways to entertain themselves. They may do it differently than I do, but they go through the same motions. They feel comfortable in there surrounding as I do in mine. I especially like the feeling of community in these small neighborhoods. It’s not that I don’t feel it in mine it’s just that I see it easier here. I see small stores every 30’ with individual owners that must provide a service to the people in their neighborhood. If they do not fulfill that service they go out of business. These owners have much to lose, much more, than say, a person that works at a large store and therefore has little to no responsibility to the success or failure of the store. These large stores have been the death knell for the sense of community and neighborhood. That is not to say that we do not have those, only that their definition is evolving. The only thing constant is change.
Unfortunately, as I write this the only thing that really sticks out in my mind towards the end of the bus tour. We did drive through the city seeing the sights. We stopped at a house that George Washington lived in when he was a general of the Union forces. The house sat on a hill that was at the highest point on the land as well as having a commanding view of the channels that come up on either side of it. We didn’t go in the house, just walked around it.
We stopped at a beautiful bridge that had a commanding view of the New York skyline as well as a dramatic view of the Statue of Liberty. While walking across there were comments by others of, “wow, what a beautiful skyline.” I didn’t quite feel that way. It was very photographic to me, but not necessairly beautiful. Beautiful to me is a mountain range of a sunset over the ocean,. To each his won. Lynn Wood had purchased some spaghetti bowls at a place called Little Italy. She had carried them quite awhile and it looked as if her arms were getting tired so I offered to carry them for her. Pretty soon everyone started asking me to carry their items too. I declined. But, I know that anything carried for a time can become tired, so we ended up switching off and on for the remainder of the trip.
We then walked about 2 blocks to St. Paul’s Cathedral, a beautiful church built in about 1762. Of course it was built with the large granite blocks as well as the spires reaching for the sky. Someone asked me why I thought they had tall spires on old churches. Personally, I think that they built these churches this way because in a sense the prayers of the people were being directed to God. While on this trip I try to remember to show respect to those that have gone on before as well as to what the church or building has witnessed through the ages. There aren’t too many churches that I walk in and I feel of presence of something. Most churches to me are just buildings where I show respect because of the use of that building. When I walked into St. Paul’s I had the feeling that something very important had happened there. It was a sense of power, of solemness, of reverence. Of course it was a church, but to me it exuded power. During 911 it had been used as a rest and replenishment area for the rescue firemen working to find people. There were candles burning, to which I found out later were to take the prayers of people to heaven. There were mementoes, heart-wrenching letters and pictures to and from those who had lost their lives.
There was a bench that George Washington had sat in while attending the church. Just writing about this makes these emotions wail up in me again. I walked up near the pulpit to get a view of what the minister might have had of George Washington as he was sitting there. It’s hard to explain, but I do feel as if I were in the presence of power and greatness. No, not really just that, but maybe it can best be explained by the lingering fragrance of a beautiful perfume, but with a sense of power and not smell.
Next, we walked to the back of the church and listened while Ken, the tour guide told us about 911 and the buildings that had been across the street. The church was an oasis in the middle of a concrete jungle. High-rises rose on three sides and had been on the 4th side prior to 911. The church and graves, and old shady trees were a stark contrast to the past and the present.
The Twin Towers site looked somewhat like any new construction site. There were workers in bright vest and yellow hard hats scurrying around the site. They had the area, which was about 100 yards square, cut deep into the earth preparing it for a memorial that will go up there. While I know that many people died here, I did not feel the power here. Maybe it was because it was all concentrated at the church.
Anyway, at that point about 4 of us left the group and made our way to the subway and our hotel as we had to go there and get the tickets for the Yankees vs. As game. Sue Pass, Janet Parker, Charity, and I basically followed the crowd to the entrance. It’s neat to feel the excitement of the game especially since we were in one of baseball’s special places. What made it more important was the fact that this was the last season here as they are already building a new stadium across the parking lot. As soon as we walked on the grounds I bought a hotdog as I was really hungry since I hadn’t eaten anything for about 6 hours. I really didn’t know where my seat was but rather than try to find it I walked to the field levels seats to ask an attendant. Of course I took my time and relished the moment and the view prior to asking and being informed that my seat was “up there, way up there.” He was right, we were behind home plate, and well, well, out of the range and hopes of any foul balls. I only wish that my family had been there to enjoy the experience. That would have made it a 12 instead if a 7. The As lost, but I walked away on cloud 9. I was amazed how fast the stadium cleared out and everyone made their way to the subway. I was very impressed how efficently that masses of humanity went their own separate ways. I was so tired that I don’t remember if I called or emailed, but I do know that as soon as my head hit the pillow I was out.
The next morning we took about a 1-1/2 bus ride to the home of Theodore Roosevelt at place called Saga no (sp) and toured his home where he spent 4 months of the year. I really didn’t know too much about him and can only now appreciate all he did for wildlife and conservation. He loved the outdoors and cared about the future of the wild areas of our country. Also, he was very family oriented another thing that I admire about a person. I think that he would’ve been a person I would have voted for President. We then went to see a huge model of the City of New York. I was probably the size of a professional basketball court. No, about 1-1/2 times as large. There was also a huge sculpture of Earth set in the middle of a huge concrete shallow pool that is used as an ice skating rink in the winter and skateboarding place in the summer. Upon leaving we saw the unique skywriters. There were 6 planes flying side by side and at just the correct moment they would emit smoke which between all six of them formed letters in the sky. Very cool. They were advertising something about US Tennis Open and tickets. There weren’t too many people on the bus because some had opted out of the trip rather than sit on the bus again all day so I was able to scoot around getting the best view.
When we got back Janet and Mary felt like they wanted to stretch their legs so we walled around the neighborhood until we good place to eat Thai food.
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