Headed downtown early Monday to catch the ferry to Liberty Island. (How many times this week have I said something took my breath away? And to think this was “optional” on my list!) Our sublime Lady of the Huddled Masses, lifting her lamp.
From the sublime to the ridiculous, this, I thought, would be right up there with a Barbie BVM!
From Liberty Island back on the ferry to Ellis Island.
As many as 3000 immigrants were processed through here every day during the peak years. Normally, only 2% were detained and slept here.
Among the detainees were those with health concerns who were treated in the Island’s hospital, and women, many with many children, who hoped their male family member would arrive to receive them; otherwise they were sent “back home.” I thought of things both huge and petty –apprehension and fear of being separated from a child and no disposable diapers or even plastic panties.
I was moved by many photographs of the immigrants, dressed up the their best coats hats, neckties, arriving with hearts full of hope. I was surprised to learn of the good care the detainees received. There were beds, laundries, classrooms, pretty good food, free medical care, much of it provided by generous charity groups from the City. Didn’t see a single Border Patrol Officer in a Hummer.
Times change. Can’t wait to share what I learned about the Ellis Island immigrants with my students tonight where for our last class of the term will make sure everyone knows the answers to the 100 USCIS questions on the Citizenship Test. If you were lucky enough to be born here, cut and paste this link into your browser and see how you do.
Late in the afternoon, we made our way back to Central Park, using our much-used subway passes for the penultimate time. We had time to walk to Tavern on the Green for dinner. Along the way, we paused to “imagine all these things.”
Had a lovely view from our table as night fell.
And possibly the best food I’ve ever eaten (a gift from Joannie).
What a great way to end a wonderful week.
NYC is such a great place to visit. It is the center of the earth in so many ways.
And Salem, Oregon, is such a great place to live. No matter how good traveling is, coming home is always the best. The cherry blossoms are all in bloom over in front of the capitol. Taking pictures there is on my to-do list today. First, I’ll dump my suitcase full of entirely black dirty clothes in the laundry. (I do know the style in New York City!)
That is an awful lot of red meat on that plate young lady. LOL. Not a grilled chicked breast in sight. Must be that paleo diet I keep reading about.. Glad you had a good time in the big apple. You are correct about it being the center of many things. In winter it can be as cold as the north pole but is lovely in the spring.
G
Well, actually, that’s duck, and I’m pretty sure all the food groups are represented there. 🙂 Next time you’re in NYC, you must eat there. I only gained four pounds in seven days.
Well since it ws duck, perfectly cooked. Even with walking in the city it is easy to stop for a bagel or a slice of pie (pizza) or something so easy to overcome the good in exercise.