Assignment’s description:
Apply the ethnographic methods of research you have already learned: walking, observation, and recording/editing, to explore a neighborhood of your choice.
Neighborhood: Roosevelt Island
Route:
F train station-> Chapel of the Good Shepherd-> Bread & Butter Deli-> Manhattan Park-> take Red Bus back-> RIHS visitor center-> Lunch at Nisi Restaurant-> Cornell Tech-> WFF Cat Sanctuary-> Smallpox Hospital-> Freedoms Park-> Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial
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- The picture is the lawn in front of Cornell Tech. On the further side is the landscape of Manhattan. It is striking to me to realize how much space is there on the island compare to Manhattan, which is “a few steps” away.
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- It is a photo of Cornell Tech. I was amazed by the futuristic architecture.
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- I took this photo inside the famous Japanese restaurant on the island. It was not as fancy as I thought it would be, but I was pleased by how simple and pleasant life is here.
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- I met a lady who feeds birds, squirrels and cats here. She told me people rent space in this garden 45 dollars per month to plant organic vegetables.
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- Then I rode this red bus with her, which is free! I couldn’t believe it. We passed the Blackwell house, the house of the previous owner of the island.
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- There are many luxury apartments like this on the island. For example this one is owned by Riverwalk Capital, LLC.
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- It is the smallpox hospital, such a haunted place reminding me of the history of the island. The island housed several hospitals and prison, and this collapsing hospital was one of them.
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- This is the famous Bread & Butter Market I googled before visiting the island. It was not as big and fancy as I thought it would be. It looks like an average convince store.
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- This is the Four Freedom Park. Queens is on the left side, and Manhattan is on the right side. The Roosevelt memorial is at the further end towards the tip of the island. I was amazed by the existence of the space.
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- This is the southern tip of the island. I was amazed by the view.
Video:
Reflection:
Roosevelt Island is a magical place lying between Queens and Manhattan. There is a mix of contemporary elements and historical artifacts. Luxury apartments, as well as the futuristic Cornell Tech architecture, were built on the island in recent years. Adults with toddlers, college students and elderly made up most of the population on the island. The island has productive plantations and a beautiful view of manhattan. I believe it has so much room for future development.
