Activity 8.2
Carmen Lam
Group 1 have decided to take us Group 2 to explore central park. I lived in New York City all my life and this is only my 4th time visiting central park. During this tour I found out that Central park is a private, not for profit organization in a public private partnership with the city of New York. As we continue to explore the park I saw the “Trump” ice skating rink and couple of minutes away there is a zoo. Most people that do no want not pay admission to go inside the zoo can enjoy watching the sea lion by the benches. Walking around the park I notice that most of the visitors are either walking their dogs or exercising. This was a fun experience because I get to observe and know some history of this well known Central Park.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Activity 8.1, Matt Blank
So I had the interesting pleasure of taking a bunch of people who hadn't been to Roosevelt Island there.
People always seem to be struck by how different it is. It's a very disorienting experience to come out of a subway onto a small strip of an island parallel to Manhattan. Roosevelt Island is of course, right by the water, and it has some really lovely views. We discussed how as we went farther north and away from the tram and train station, the island became less nice. You could practically see the sliding scale of wealth descending the farther away from the transportation we were.
People always seem to be struck by how different it is. It's a very disorienting experience to come out of a subway onto a small strip of an island parallel to Manhattan. Roosevelt Island is of course, right by the water, and it has some really lovely views. We discussed how as we went farther north and away from the tram and train station, the island became less nice. You could practically see the sliding scale of wealth descending the farther away from the transportation we were.
Activity 8.1
In this activity we, being Group 2, decided to take Group 1 on the first field trip to Roosevelt Island. Matt led the tour starting from E. 68th St and we walked to the E train at 63rd. It only took a few minutes to get there because it was only one stop away.
Upon arrival there what we saw was instantly beautiful. As soon as you step out the train station the first thing you see is the water and what I believe to be Cherry blossoms. Looking out from the water you can see the Queensboro bridge, the FDR drive, and the Tram. To begin our tour, Matt told us the basics of the Island. Once upon a time there was an insane assylum there. He told us that the way the island worked- there was a lighthouse near the end of the island, the further north we went the more we came across middle class and lower class residents,etc. We started walking through Roosevelt Island and we saw the stores they had. It seemed like they weren't even apart of Manhattan. It was more like a little town in itself. Next we went to a residential area but it was private property. This made me think back to Private vs. Public spheres. Although the island seemed to be like a tourist attraction it did indeed have its private spaces. Next we saw the theater. It was reminded me of the outdoor theater in Central Park. It was just a small space with an elavated area(the stage) and concrete bleachers. As we began to leave we passed a Japanese restaurant that I definitely plan on going back to. Lastly we saw the Tram. Unfortunately it was out of service but when it would be working again, if I decided to go back the Tram runs from Midtown to Roosevelt Island. It even works with a normal metrocard.
I really liked going on this activity. Our tour guide knew how to keep the tour running smoothly and interesting. Even if going alone, Roosevelt Island is a great place to explore because they even have a tourist center. I would definitely go back.
Upon arrival there what we saw was instantly beautiful. As soon as you step out the train station the first thing you see is the water and what I believe to be Cherry blossoms. Looking out from the water you can see the Queensboro bridge, the FDR drive, and the Tram. To begin our tour, Matt told us the basics of the Island. Once upon a time there was an insane assylum there. He told us that the way the island worked- there was a lighthouse near the end of the island, the further north we went the more we came across middle class and lower class residents,etc. We started walking through Roosevelt Island and we saw the stores they had. It seemed like they weren't even apart of Manhattan. It was more like a little town in itself. Next we went to a residential area but it was private property. This made me think back to Private vs. Public spheres. Although the island seemed to be like a tourist attraction it did indeed have its private spaces. Next we saw the theater. It was reminded me of the outdoor theater in Central Park. It was just a small space with an elavated area(the stage) and concrete bleachers. As we began to leave we passed a Japanese restaurant that I definitely plan on going back to. Lastly we saw the Tram. Unfortunately it was out of service but when it would be working again, if I decided to go back the Tram runs from Midtown to Roosevelt Island. It even works with a normal metrocard.
I really liked going on this activity. Our tour guide knew how to keep the tour running smoothly and interesting. Even if going alone, Roosevelt Island is a great place to explore because they even have a tourist center. I would definitely go back.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Activity 8.1
Activity 8.1
Carmen Lam
Group 2 have decided to take Group 1 on a tour to
It was very interesting to see that when we continue walking around the neighborhood we came upon this neighborhood frontier that have video stores, public safety department, outdoor theater, coffee shops, restaurants, and a playground.
There was this particular local bus that cost only 25 cents and it takes you around
It was a great first time experience in Roosevelt Island and I will be expecting myself to visit Roosevelt Island more frequently, because I get to experience the suburban side of border line Manhattan and Queens.
Activity 7, Matt Blank
I went to a Plaza a couple times, on 53rd and Lexington.
The first time I went, I saw that a lot of people used it as a gathering space, there were people who met there regularly to play chess, or to do homework, and some to play a large group game. There were also people who were sleeping in the space, but they were regularly woken by the security guards. The security guards were very odd. They kept doing things that didn't make any sense to me. There were outlets on the floor but people weren't allowed to use them. Sometimes, they would ask people to move chairs back to tables, but other times they would not. Finally, they kicked people out of the space 30 minutes before the signs said it was closed. The whole thing felt very policed.
I came back another day, and it happened to be raining. This was very interesting, a lot of people who I'd seen before were huddled in the far back corner of the space, playing and talking like nothing was going on, while a lot of people stayed near the door out of the rain. It was like a subway car, where everyone was crowded by the doors and there was plenty of space inside.
The first time I went, I saw that a lot of people used it as a gathering space, there were people who met there regularly to play chess, or to do homework, and some to play a large group game. There were also people who were sleeping in the space, but they were regularly woken by the security guards. The security guards were very odd. They kept doing things that didn't make any sense to me. There were outlets on the floor but people weren't allowed to use them. Sometimes, they would ask people to move chairs back to tables, but other times they would not. Finally, they kicked people out of the space 30 minutes before the signs said it was closed. The whole thing felt very policed.
I came back another day, and it happened to be raining. This was very interesting, a lot of people who I'd seen before were huddled in the far back corner of the space, playing and talking like nothing was going on, while a lot of people stayed near the door out of the rain. It was like a subway car, where everyone was crowded by the doors and there was plenty of space inside.
Activity 6, Matt Blank
I found no areas labeled as Gendered Spaces, in my neighborhood, but I did find a few unofficially gendered spaces.
Some spaces were accidentally gendered, specifically some businesses that cater to certain genders.
I actually found a very gendered space completely accidentally, although not in my neighborhood. I'm going to include it here because I found it very interesting.
A friend of mine's birthday was at a karaoke club in Brooklyn. We did not know that a gay football league was having a karaoke contest at the bar at the same time. We ended up having about 12 people and there were about 40 gay football players. It was a fantastic time, everyone was very nice and encouraging to us at least. They had a panel of judges and they rated the people in their contest on a scale of 1 - 5 while they rated other people 1 - 10. We all had a great time, and in fact one person with us got a standing ovation and an invitation to play some football!
Some spaces were accidentally gendered, specifically some businesses that cater to certain genders.
I actually found a very gendered space completely accidentally, although not in my neighborhood. I'm going to include it here because I found it very interesting.
A friend of mine's birthday was at a karaoke club in Brooklyn. We did not know that a gay football league was having a karaoke contest at the bar at the same time. We ended up having about 12 people and there were about 40 gay football players. It was a fantastic time, everyone was very nice and encouraging to us at least. They had a panel of judges and they rated the people in their contest on a scale of 1 - 5 while they rated other people 1 - 10. We all had a great time, and in fact one person with us got a standing ovation and an invitation to play some football!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Activity 6, Mousumi Haider
In Activity 6, we were asked to find the difference between a gendered space and a queer space in our neighborhood. Gendered space is where genders are separated into different place and a queer space consider a space where populated by gay, lesbian, bisexual people.
I live in Briarwood. Briarwood is very residential area, where lot of houses and apartments are there. Briarwood is convenient to highways, the subway, LIRR, and buses for the families who residence there. The LIRR stations in downtown Jamaica and Kew Gardens are also fairly convenient because it is 20 minutes walk from Briarwood. The subways and transportation options is one of the main point in Briarwood. The express F-subway stops at Hillside and Parsons, again at Hillside and Sutphin, and at the Van Wyck/Briarwood station at Queens Boulevard and Main Street. The E train stops at the Van Wyck station late at night and on weekends.
There aren’t any major stores in Briarwood. To go to mall, you have to take Q60 buses or train to Queens’s central mall. Briarwood neighborhood doesn’t have much of stores that divide into gendered spaces and queer spaces. There are some 24 hours “Delis” and some grocery stores which can be indentify for both gendered spaces and queer spaces. Right on corner on 84th drive, there is a Dunkin Donuts which also for both gendered spaces and queer spaces. The Dunkin Donuts is open 24 hours, which is very convenient for everyone. On the other side of 84th drive, there is a 99-cent store. Beside Dunkin Donuts, there is another store call “Pani Dolce”. Personally, I love this store. Pani Dolce is located on Queens Boulevard at Main Street. It is the best bakery for Italian-style cookies, pastries and loaves. There is a Key Food on Queens Boulevard, which has a small parking lot in the back. The Key Food is open until 8pm on weekdays but weekends they close it very early.
There is one beauty parlor name “Ayina Beauty Salon”. It is an Indian beauty salon where all type races women go there. This salon is space for women. On Manton Street, there is another women gender space. There is a “Neil” salon where, women go and get their neils done. There is a barber shop for male gender.
Briarwood neighborhood has a small library that perches over the Van Wyck at Queens Boulevard and Main Street. Across the library, there is a small park for kids. The park is initially for the kids but older people also use the space. The park calls “Briarwood Park”. Archbishop Molloy High School, a private Catholic high school, is on Main Street near Queens Boulevard which is right next to the park. These all the spaces can be identify as gendered.
I am living there past 9 years but never knew there is a bar until I have this walk. The bar is located at the corner of 84th road and 164th street. It is very place that most of the people prefer to go to next neighbor which is Forest Hill, in the Austin Street area, for a drink. These places are open pretty late and also get packed on weekends.
I am not sure how to identify a space as queer. I have not seen any place in Briarwood which is for queer people. Briarwood is very quiet residency area, where private activities don’t take place in public spaces. Although most of the stores aren’t open for 24 hours but it is open until 10 pm at night. Briarwood is very safe for family, children or single people to live. Everything is very close by making convenient for a person who works.
I live in Briarwood. Briarwood is very residential area, where lot of houses and apartments are there. Briarwood is convenient to highways, the subway, LIRR, and buses for the families who residence there. The LIRR stations in downtown Jamaica and Kew Gardens are also fairly convenient because it is 20 minutes walk from Briarwood. The subways and transportation options is one of the main point in Briarwood. The express F-subway stops at Hillside and Parsons, again at Hillside and Sutphin, and at the Van Wyck/Briarwood station at Queens Boulevard and Main Street. The E train stops at the Van Wyck station late at night and on weekends.
There aren’t any major stores in Briarwood. To go to mall, you have to take Q60 buses or train to Queens’s central mall. Briarwood neighborhood doesn’t have much of stores that divide into gendered spaces and queer spaces. There are some 24 hours “Delis” and some grocery stores which can be indentify for both gendered spaces and queer spaces. Right on corner on 84th drive, there is a Dunkin Donuts which also for both gendered spaces and queer spaces. The Dunkin Donuts is open 24 hours, which is very convenient for everyone. On the other side of 84th drive, there is a 99-cent store. Beside Dunkin Donuts, there is another store call “Pani Dolce”. Personally, I love this store. Pani Dolce is located on Queens Boulevard at Main Street. It is the best bakery for Italian-style cookies, pastries and loaves. There is a Key Food on Queens Boulevard, which has a small parking lot in the back. The Key Food is open until 8pm on weekdays but weekends they close it very early.
There is one beauty parlor name “Ayina Beauty Salon”. It is an Indian beauty salon where all type races women go there. This salon is space for women. On Manton Street, there is another women gender space. There is a “Neil” salon where, women go and get their neils done. There is a barber shop for male gender.
Briarwood neighborhood has a small library that perches over the Van Wyck at Queens Boulevard and Main Street. Across the library, there is a small park for kids. The park is initially for the kids but older people also use the space. The park calls “Briarwood Park”. Archbishop Molloy High School, a private Catholic high school, is on Main Street near Queens Boulevard which is right next to the park. These all the spaces can be identify as gendered.
I am living there past 9 years but never knew there is a bar until I have this walk. The bar is located at the corner of 84th road and 164th street. It is very place that most of the people prefer to go to next neighbor which is Forest Hill, in the Austin Street area, for a drink. These places are open pretty late and also get packed on weekends.
I am not sure how to identify a space as queer. I have not seen any place in Briarwood which is for queer people. Briarwood is very quiet residency area, where private activities don’t take place in public spaces. Although most of the stores aren’t open for 24 hours but it is open until 10 pm at night. Briarwood is very safe for family, children or single people to live. Everything is very close by making convenient for a person who works.
Activity 7, Mousumi Haider
The Greenacre Park
Have you ever heard about Greenacre Park? I never did. When this activity was given to us, I choose the Greenacre Park because I liked the name. Although I wasn’t sure the Greenacre Park was located but I was excited to check out a new place. As not knowing where is Greenacre Park, I google search the location. Surprisingly, The Greenacre Park is located in Midtown Manhattan, on East 51st Street between Second and Third Avenues. It is very close by Hunter College. If you like walking, the park is around the corner. Greenacre Park might be new to some of us, but the park opened 1971 and has been maintaining it since.
I went inside the park amazed by the quite atmosphere. First, I sat upper label because I wanted to look at people. I went there around 6pm which is after office hour. That day, 2 or 3 tables were fill number of people but most people where alone. There were mostly elderly people with coffee and others were having their snacks. There is also a café, where you can buy coffee, sandwiches. I had coffee which was good and the price for food is reasonable. In Greenacre Park, there are movable chairs and tables so people can be comfortable and can have some control over where they sit. “The possibility of choice is as important as the exercise of it. If you know you can move if you want to, you feel more comfortable staying put. This is why, perhaps, people so often move a chair a few inches this way and that before sitting in it, with the chair ending up about where it was in the first place. The moves are functional, however. They are a declaration of autonomy, to oneself, and rather satisfying” (Whyte, William. The Social Life of Small Urban Spaces, Pg 35).
The Greenacre Park consider as good public space. So, here my question comes. If Greenacre Park is a public space, why we are not allowed to take pictures? I was taking pictures of the fall in the Greenacre Park. I got one or two photos when a guy (I think, he works in the café) comes up to me and told me not to take pictures. I informed him, I was taking picture for my class project. He said, “It doesn’t matter”. If it is a public space, why there isn’t any permission to take pictures?
Monday, April 5, 2010
Activity 5
Carmen Lam
Activity 5
Attending the Community Board meeting 10 was something I never knew existed for everyone. The CB 10 main concerns was about Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights and Fort Hamilton which is located in Brooklyn. The main focus of the Community Board meeting 10 which I attended was about finding ways to solve some serious complaints and problems about the neighborhood due to lack of education, properties, teen pregnancy, healthcare, disturbing noises by the residential areas, and restaurants. Most of people at the meeting talked about problems with students dropping out of middle and high school. There was this white man that stood up during an open discussion and began to complain about a Chinese supermarket that is located in Fort Hamilton and he was shouting about how he thinks that “the supermarket should be shut down, because he believes that it is making Fort Hamilton’s community dirty with garbage and non local shoppers are damaging their properties“. But most of the people in the meeting disagree with the white man because attracting more non local customers meaning that more business for Fort Hamilton stores. Later the meeting discussed about some restaurants trying to request for permission to use the sidewalks for serving more customers by setting up tables outside of the restaurant. Before I attended this meeting I thought that if you bought a store you can open a outdoor café without any problems because it is your property. But I learned that opening a outdoor café you need permissions and the community meeting vote and decides if the stores location is appropriate for a outdoor café and setting limited seats and tables for outdoor availability. I assume that Fort Hamilton, Dyker Heights, and Bay Ridge are sort of a safe area because there was not many topic mention about need of having more cops or more surveillances. Everyone in the meeting seem friendly and are very involved with trying to maintain a safe and high education with the local children. It was interesting to learn that the community board meeting is about getting involved and trying to make our neighborhood a safe and better living place to live.
Activity 5
Attending the Community Board meeting 10 was something I never knew existed for everyone. The CB 10 main concerns was about Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights and Fort Hamilton which is located in Brooklyn. The main focus of the Community Board meeting 10 which I attended was about finding ways to solve some serious complaints and problems about the neighborhood due to lack of education, properties, teen pregnancy, healthcare, disturbing noises by the residential areas, and restaurants. Most of people at the meeting talked about problems with students dropping out of middle and high school. There was this white man that stood up during an open discussion and began to complain about a Chinese supermarket that is located in Fort Hamilton and he was shouting about how he thinks that “the supermarket should be shut down, because he believes that it is making Fort Hamilton’s community dirty with garbage and non local shoppers are damaging their properties“. But most of the people in the meeting disagree with the white man because attracting more non local customers meaning that more business for Fort Hamilton stores. Later the meeting discussed about some restaurants trying to request for permission to use the sidewalks for serving more customers by setting up tables outside of the restaurant. Before I attended this meeting I thought that if you bought a store you can open a outdoor café without any problems because it is your property. But I learned that opening a outdoor café you need permissions and the community meeting vote and decides if the stores location is appropriate for a outdoor café and setting limited seats and tables for outdoor availability. I assume that Fort Hamilton, Dyker Heights, and Bay Ridge are sort of a safe area because there was not many topic mention about need of having more cops or more surveillances. Everyone in the meeting seem friendly and are very involved with trying to maintain a safe and high education with the local children. It was interesting to learn that the community board meeting is about getting involved and trying to make our neighborhood a safe and better living place to live.
Activity 7
Finally there was a beautiful sunny day, on April 1st so I decided to take a quick gym run and head to Paley Park. Finding this park was actually really hard. It's located on E.53rd street. While I was looking for this "park" I asked an old man for directions. He began to walk with me to the park while telling me a story. He said that man who made the park wanted to give people a place to just sit and think. He said that the man also imported a part of the Berlin Wall to the park. Well that was all very interesting.
When we finally got there, I was really shocked on what I saw. It was so beautiful. It was about One O'clock when I got there. There were about 13 trees, a few plants, one water fountain, about four garbage cans, and tables and chairs. The walls were covered with vines and the wall in the center was a waterfall.
There were alot of people there in pairs of two and three. There was about 10 pairs at that time. People where eating and talking. Some listened to music while others read. Most of the men were located in the back of the park looking in. The women were more toward the front looking outwardly just as the movie said. The only women that were in the back were the ones that were paired with a male and a child. Most of the people looked about 24 years or up. Whenever someone wanted to smoke, they went to the front of the park in the left corner near the "Refreshments" sign. I only saw one pair of men talk on the stair at the front of the park.
As time passed it got a little shadier and chilly. People began to leave and there were less and less pairs of people in the park. The movie that we watched in class proved very true. In order to have a successful plaza you need: trees, light, food, water, and sitting space. I think I may come back to Paley Park for a date. :)
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Activity 7 Carmen Lam
Activity 7
On a sunny Wednesday afternoon I decided to observe the location of Fulton Mall. It was a warm day where many families, couples, adults, and children are sitting and standing in front of Fulton mall. Before you enter Fulton mall the outside area is crowded with people that are standing in groups that takes up a lot of space. When I entered Fulton mall it appeared to have a male and female shoppers. But I think I saw more female shoppers then men. Majority of the female shoppers that enter Fulton just went directly to the mini shopping cart vendors or a clothing store forever 21. The mini shopping carts sold accessories, clothes, bags, and wigs. For male shoppers they only go into stores that sold sneakers and caps. There is a foot court inside the mall that served delicious beef stew and roasted chicken with yellow rice. There was around 12 tables that was full of families and teenagers eating and socializing. I believe that the mall should make the food court smaller and put more shopping stores. Half of the food court is empty and that space can be useful for the mini shopping cart vendors. Customers can have more options of stores. There are many mini shopping carts and they are located in front of a opening store. Its funny to have observed that the mini shopping carts appeared to have more business compared to the stores. There was no seating area by the stores. The only seating area in the mall is in the food court.When I looked into most of the stores in the mall it appeared to be very slow. But outside of the Mall it is full of people hanging around relaxing and socializing. I felt very comforting when I was outside of the Fulton mall, because everyone was smiling and just sitting around enjoying the beautiful sun. Once I walked into Fulton mall I felt sort of uncomfortable, because there was a security guard by the entrance that was flirting with a young female and he was checking out literally every girl that walked by. When I walked into some of the stores I also felt very uncomfortable because the workers just kept of following me around the store and asking if “I needed any help “ which I have already told her that “I am looking around if I needed any will help I call you”. The worker just made feel very uncomfortable and I did not see any obvious surveillance camera that are in the store. I observed that Fulton mall do not really have much customers is because once you walk outside of the mall and walk 10 steps away there are much more cheaper and trendy clothing compared to Fulton mall. Visitors are using the outside space by sitting and socializing in groups, compared to inside of the shopping mall there are not many people.
On a sunny Wednesday afternoon I decided to observe the location of Fulton Mall. It was a warm day where many families, couples, adults, and children are sitting and standing in front of Fulton mall. Before you enter Fulton mall the outside area is crowded with people that are standing in groups that takes up a lot of space. When I entered Fulton mall it appeared to have a male and female shoppers. But I think I saw more female shoppers then men. Majority of the female shoppers that enter Fulton just went directly to the mini shopping cart vendors or a clothing store forever 21. The mini shopping carts sold accessories, clothes, bags, and wigs. For male shoppers they only go into stores that sold sneakers and caps. There is a foot court inside the mall that served delicious beef stew and roasted chicken with yellow rice. There was around 12 tables that was full of families and teenagers eating and socializing. I believe that the mall should make the food court smaller and put more shopping stores. Half of the food court is empty and that space can be useful for the mini shopping cart vendors. Customers can have more options of stores. There are many mini shopping carts and they are located in front of a opening store. Its funny to have observed that the mini shopping carts appeared to have more business compared to the stores. There was no seating area by the stores. The only seating area in the mall is in the food court.When I looked into most of the stores in the mall it appeared to be very slow. But outside of the Mall it is full of people hanging around relaxing and socializing. I felt very comforting when I was outside of the Fulton mall, because everyone was smiling and just sitting around enjoying the beautiful sun. Once I walked into Fulton mall I felt sort of uncomfortable, because there was a security guard by the entrance that was flirting with a young female and he was checking out literally every girl that walked by. When I walked into some of the stores I also felt very uncomfortable because the workers just kept of following me around the store and asking if “I needed any help “ which I have already told her that “I am looking around if I needed any will help I call you”. The worker just made feel very uncomfortable and I did not see any obvious surveillance camera that are in the store. I observed that Fulton mall do not really have much customers is because once you walk outside of the mall and walk 10 steps away there are much more cheaper and trendy clothing compared to Fulton mall. Visitors are using the outside space by sitting and socializing in groups, compared to inside of the shopping mall there are not many people.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Activity 6
Carmen Lam
Activity 6
Today is the first day of spring and i decided to enjoy the beautiful weather by walking around my neighborhood. I was walking around 60th street and 5th avenue in Brooklyn. Walking around 5th avenue i did not see any children day care. But I found a day care that is between 4th and 5th avenue on 58th street. The day care is located in a basement of a private house. There is a public elementary on 4th ave and 60th street I assume that there is a after school program taken place inside the elementary school because around 5:30 pm i see parents entering the school to pick up their children. When i continue walking toward 2nd avenue and 55th street I saw a Lutheran hospital and across the street from the hospital is a small public park. I observed that the basketball and handball courts are "male" spaces and by the swings and the water fountain is "female" space. The basketball and handball courts is "male" space because it is a spot where men are competitive and aggressive in that particular sport. By the fountain and the swings i saw only a couple of young girls that appeared to be watching over their children, it is interesting to see that when a female goes to a park she has a responsibility to watch over her child and for guys a park is a place for them to relax and hang out with their group of male friends. I continued walking toward 5th ave and there are many stores that only target female shoppers. Stores like pretty girl, rainbow, baby blue, etc and stores that are for male and female shoppers are the sneakers stores. The nail and hair salon are unisex and resturants had an equal amount of male and female customers.
I don't see any particular places in my neighborhood that appeared to be queer/gay spaces. I see queer/gay individual claiming space in Chelsea piers.I believe that the queer/gay people pick Chelsea piers is because there are many trendy bars/clubs and upscale restaurants that queer/gay people can act freely without any discrimination on sexuality. I always heard that Chelsea piers is full of queer/ gay people but i never met one personally. I believe that queer/gay people feel more comfortable and able to act more freely about their homosexuality, because the queer/gay people assume that visitors that come to Chelsea piers already expect queer/gay people. When i researched for "gay map of new york" a lot of restaurants, bars, clubs, hotels, and saunas for "gays" and "lesbians". In my neighborhood, about one block away from my house there is a nursing program. Everytime when i pass by the nursing program i always see a group of female in their scrub uniform smoking marijuana literally next to the nursing program entrance. Its funny to see that everytime when i pass by the nursing program entrance i only see females smoking but I never saw any male nurse smoking by the entrance.
Activity 6
Today is the first day of spring and i decided to enjoy the beautiful weather by walking around my neighborhood. I was walking around 60th street and 5th avenue in Brooklyn. Walking around 5th avenue i did not see any children day care. But I found a day care that is between 4th and 5th avenue on 58th street. The day care is located in a basement of a private house. There is a public elementary on 4th ave and 60th street I assume that there is a after school program taken place inside the elementary school because around 5:30 pm i see parents entering the school to pick up their children. When i continue walking toward 2nd avenue and 55th street I saw a Lutheran hospital and across the street from the hospital is a small public park. I observed that the basketball and handball courts are "male" spaces and by the swings and the water fountain is "female" space. The basketball and handball courts is "male" space because it is a spot where men are competitive and aggressive in that particular sport. By the fountain and the swings i saw only a couple of young girls that appeared to be watching over their children, it is interesting to see that when a female goes to a park she has a responsibility to watch over her child and for guys a park is a place for them to relax and hang out with their group of male friends. I continued walking toward 5th ave and there are many stores that only target female shoppers. Stores like pretty girl, rainbow, baby blue, etc and stores that are for male and female shoppers are the sneakers stores. The nail and hair salon are unisex and resturants had an equal amount of male and female customers.
I don't see any particular places in my neighborhood that appeared to be queer/gay spaces. I see queer/gay individual claiming space in Chelsea piers.I believe that the queer/gay people pick Chelsea piers is because there are many trendy bars/clubs and upscale restaurants that queer/gay people can act freely without any discrimination on sexuality. I always heard that Chelsea piers is full of queer/ gay people but i never met one personally. I believe that queer/gay people feel more comfortable and able to act more freely about their homosexuality, because the queer/gay people assume that visitors that come to Chelsea piers already expect queer/gay people. When i researched for "gay map of new york" a lot of restaurants, bars, clubs, hotels, and saunas for "gays" and "lesbians". In my neighborhood, about one block away from my house there is a nursing program. Everytime when i pass by the nursing program i always see a group of female in their scrub uniform smoking marijuana literally next to the nursing program entrance. Its funny to see that everytime when i pass by the nursing program entrance i only see females smoking but I never saw any male nurse smoking by the entrance.
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