Hey Everyone! Today is the eleventh day of our 2016 STN trip. Today was really cold. In the morning it was 37 degrees I think, and stayed in the 40s throughout the day. After breakfast, we left our hotel at 7:30am. We had to take a lot of subway trains to get to our destination. We took the F train to Broadway Lafayette, then transferred to the 6 train to City hall. Then we transferred the 5 train and arrived at Bowling Green. Here, we walked to Battery Park where we would take the Ferry for the Statue of Liberty tour. The ferry had three levels. On the way there, I went on the uppermost level where it was open and there were no overheads or roofs. It was cold especially because of the wind. Though, the air did seem quite refreshing as it differed from Atlanta's smoky air. From the top deck, we could see the New York skyline as the ferry slowly made its way to Liberty Island. It was quite a sight. As the skyline slowly decreased in size, we could see Lady Liberty in our view. Lady Liberty is pretty tall and large. I learned that the Statue was actually a gift to the US from the people of France. I also learned that the statue is not naturally green, it's originally dull brown since it's made of copper. However, over the years, the Statue turned green because of oxidation. We stopped at Liberty island and took photos of the skyline and the Statue. We visited the gift shop then we hopped back on the ferry. The ferry took us to Ellis Island. We went to the national museum of immigration there. When you first walk in, you are greeted by the Registry room. This is where many people would wait to be put into the inspection process to see whether or not they'd be granted permission into the United States. The inspection process is very tedious and long. First, the immigrants would arrive to New York and enter Ellis Island. Then, they'd be medically inspected. To further this, they'd either be screened into more medical examination or hospitalization. After medical inspection, they'd be legally inspected. They'd be asked questions and may be sent to a hearing for the or appeal to the board of special inquiry. Finally, they'd either be granted or denied permission into the US. I actually played this interactive program to see if I'd be granted permission and I was actually rejected! It was because I was of Asian ancestry and several other reasons. The museum was really interesting to see how many ancestors of Americans got here. We then got lunch. We walked a couple of blocks and I got some food from the pizza place. However, I did not eat pizza. I got this bacon sandwich. It tasted pretty good. Then, we walked to the World Trade Center memorial reflecting pool. That memorial honors those in the planes, towers and the first responders of the 9/11 attack. On the plaque were the names of all those people. It was a really sad sight. We the went to the National September 11 Memorial Museum. I loved the museum. It's important to learn about 9/11 because it's apart of our nation's history. The exhibit was so sad and very heavy. It was about the actual 9/11 attack, before, and after. It was so heartbreaking to see all of the videos and read the quotes of victims and witnesses. Everything was just really sad. Everything in the exhibit was artifacts and things related to September 11, 2001. The saddest part for me were the little dark rooms where they'd play audio recordings of actual people that were there. They seemed so frightened and bewildered. I remember reading a firefighter's quote on the wall that said that they told people in the towers that help is coming soon even when they knew that they weren't. There was another section where it actually showed the falling debris, and people falling from the tower. It was just so sad. All of those innocent lives lost. It was so honorable and brave of all those firefighters, policemen, and citizens helping each other in that crisis. I was really inspired by the museum. When people talk about 9/11, I didn't really know the whole severity of it. Of course, I knew that it was a terrible terrorist attack but I didn't actually know the whole thing. It happened before I was born, and not a lot of people bring it up in discussion. Going to that museum really opened up my eyes, to see the reality and horror of it all. Despite the terribleness, it made me proud of all those brave men and women. I remember reading a quote on the wall. This worker got a call from an eighty year old man who said, "My pilot uniform still fits. Let me help out those in need". I found that so touching. I was really intrigued by that museum and I'd definitely go there again if given the chance. After the museum, we ate dinner. We went to the Shake Shack. I got a shake shack burger. Then we took the subway back home to East Broadway. Overall, I loved the museum and learned a lot today. Well, that's it for today! Bye!
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