Day 2…
Today, I woke up at 10 this morning, which was later than I
thought I was going to. I guess
I’m still used to the west coast time. But as soon as I got shower and changed,
I head out to the city.
Unlike Day 1, today was easier to get around with the subway
from place to place. I finally figured out how to use the app my friend told me
to get.
With that being said, I took 2 trains to the Brooklyn Bridge
and it took about 40 minutes to get there from my friend Dylan’s house. Once I
got off the subway, it was nothing but walking for about 6 hours.
First, I started off at the Brooklyn Bridge. It took about
20-25 minutes to get across from Brooklyn to the Financial District. When I got
to the other side of the bridge, I saw a group of street dancers so I decided
watch for a bit.
It’s nothing new I haven’t seen before. They dance to some
music from their Ipod and pick out a couple of spectators to be part of the
“grand finale.” So I stood there watching he 7 street performers hype up the
crowd. Then, the guy that seemed to be like the leader of the group said,
“Woah. We can’t have to do this show…” and the whole group of performers said
“Without an Asian guy!” Great, now I was in the spotlight.
There was about 8 of us lined up in front of a big crowd but
only half stayed after those performer called out people for donations.
In the end of this “grand finale,” a guy front flipped over
5 of the remaining people lined up and they took $20 dollars away from me (Note
to self: Watch street performances from a distance next time).
After walking away with $20 dollars less in my wallet, the
next 4 hours consisted for roaming around the Financial District.
Places I visited: The National September 11 Memorial &
Museum, Wall Street and the Bull Statue, The Federal Hall National Memorial
where George Washington was declared the first president of the United States,
Trinity Church, the South Street Seaport Historic District and saw the Statue
of Liberty from a far distance.
Before I made my way across the bridge again, this time back
to Brooklyn, I stopped by a bar by the South Street Seaport for happy hour
before I headed back. The bartender looked at my drivers license and said,
“OHHHHH Torrance huh?!” I thought this guy was trying to be funny because I was
from California or something, but it ends up the bartender is from California
too. He said he used to go down to Baja Sharkeez in Hermosa and Manhattan Beach
to do some shows when he used to live on the west coast.
For those you who don’t know Baja Sharkeez is, it’s a bar in
the Hermosa and Manhattan Beach. If you don’t know Hermosa and Manhattan Beach
is, book your flight now.
One thing stuck out during Day 2 was the September 11
Memorial. It was surreal to see all those names that served and are still serving
to protect the country after the attack. To every one who is risking their
lives to make this country a better place. Thank you and I salute to you.
Jun
