The day after Christmas, my parents and I went to New Jersey to see my sister and her family. We had a good time. We went to the movies, played games, went to Target for the after Christmas specials, went to a great Vietnamese restaurant, and I finally got to Ellis Island. My sister and I have tried several times to get to Ellis Island. Both times we tried from the New York City side. Two summers ago, we walked down to Battery Park with every intention of going to Ellis Island until we found out there was about a three hour wait for the ferry. We said forget it. We went shopping at Century 21 instead. So this time we stayed on the New Jersey side and we had about a 15 minute wait. It was impressive, as was the Statue of Liberty. As I walked in all I could think was about the millions of people whose hopes all came together in that one place. I could picture in my mind what it was like to walk into this place 100 years ago, carrying with you your most prized possessions and carrying in your heart dreams of a future that you couldn't realize in your country. For many of us, this is the story of our ancestors. I can see in my mind that even as they dreamed big dreams they also were scared of the future. Would they be able to make it? Would other people accept them? Would they be able to learn English? Makes me think about when my husband came. He had just a few possessions that he could bring with him, an optimism of the future, and worried about his future. Like the people 100 years ago, he has had to work hard in his new country and he dreams of a better future for his daughter. Makes me also think of a very divided issue in this country, illegal immigration. The only thing I can think is that the reason that they risk everything to cross that border is they dream of a future that they can't realize in their own country and hope for a better future for their children. It is the same story as those who came through Ellis Island. It doesn't make what they are doing is right but it makes you think about why they do it.Monday, December 31, 2007
Ellis Island
The day after Christmas, my parents and I went to New Jersey to see my sister and her family. We had a good time. We went to the movies, played games, went to Target for the after Christmas specials, went to a great Vietnamese restaurant, and I finally got to Ellis Island. My sister and I have tried several times to get to Ellis Island. Both times we tried from the New York City side. Two summers ago, we walked down to Battery Park with every intention of going to Ellis Island until we found out there was about a three hour wait for the ferry. We said forget it. We went shopping at Century 21 instead. So this time we stayed on the New Jersey side and we had about a 15 minute wait. It was impressive, as was the Statue of Liberty. As I walked in all I could think was about the millions of people whose hopes all came together in that one place. I could picture in my mind what it was like to walk into this place 100 years ago, carrying with you your most prized possessions and carrying in your heart dreams of a future that you couldn't realize in your country. For many of us, this is the story of our ancestors. I can see in my mind that even as they dreamed big dreams they also were scared of the future. Would they be able to make it? Would other people accept them? Would they be able to learn English? Makes me think about when my husband came. He had just a few possessions that he could bring with him, an optimism of the future, and worried about his future. Like the people 100 years ago, he has had to work hard in his new country and he dreams of a better future for his daughter. Makes me also think of a very divided issue in this country, illegal immigration. The only thing I can think is that the reason that they risk everything to cross that border is they dream of a future that they can't realize in their own country and hope for a better future for their children. It is the same story as those who came through Ellis Island. It doesn't make what they are doing is right but it makes you think about why they do it.
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3 comments:
I really enjoyed this trip too. It is amazing to think of how brave the people were who came through Ellis Island. It was also interesting to see the many beautiful things that still survive that they brought with them. What a great day we had.
This is one of those places I've always wanted to visit as well. The courage these people had is inspiring. Did you take any pictures you can share?
Melissa
My niece and my brother-in-law took some. I will ask my sister to send them to me and then I can post them on the blog.
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