Valuable Free Day

Editor's note: The second-year Lambton College Digital Photography students are on a five-day work study visit to New York City. Follow our daily blog about the adventure. Each day students will share their thoughts on the experience. Please join us as we experience New York City

New York Day 4 (a free day to explore the city and complete assignments) By Nicole, Jessica

We woke up this morning with the freedom to choose what we wanted to do. Thirteen of us decided to venture off to Coney Island. Our day started later than anticipated, so most of us were getting anxious to head off.
With all the excitement that was lying ahead, we quickly became giddy as we watched the New York City skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge disappear in the distance. As we arrived, many of us chose to go our separate ways. At Coney Island there were many sights to see: from the beautiful contrasting colours of the amusement park rides to enjoying a delicious hot dog on the beach.
After enjoying a delicious meal of amusement park treats and goodies, we were greeted by a very very excited Seth who presented us a brilliant idea: $10 Go Kart rides! Racing each other towards the finish of the Go Kart track, we left the park with high hopes.
We ran into a slight problem on our way to our next destination, and we eagerly awaited to hear news of Christina’s missing backpack. Luckily, the street performers kept us entertained with their acrobatics.  On a positive note the missing backpack was retrieved with all the contents!  Amazingly a purse also went missing on our visit to Liberty Island and it was turned in to the office by a good samaritan.  Whoever says "there aren't good people out there", was doubly wrong on our trip. 

As we pushed into the doors of the Strand Bookstore, we were welcomed by 18 miles worth of books. We enjoyed the photography section and appreciated the kindness of the employees.

As the sun set across the city, we began to hear the faint rumbling of our hungry stomachs. It was time for pizza, but not just pizza, the best pizza in New York.

Lombardi’s Pizza was a mouth-­watering experience! The thin crust paired with the delicious toppings really hit the spot. The portions gave us the energy we needed to move on to Time’s Square.
At Times Square, we had the opportunity to practice night photography and apply that to the street photography we’ve been doing this week. We were captivated by the bright lights and the cityscape. We made a quick stop to purchase gifts for family members. As we weaved through the crowd of humans, statues, super-­heroes, Pokémon, and Disney characters, we made our way towards the subway station and headed home.


Additional Experiences by Roxanne

Today for my free day I decide to stay back in Queen’s not far from our hotel.

I got some directions and off I went exploring the "Sunnyside" Queen's neighbourhood.

In-between shops I’d sit and chat with the locals, as we shared stories I learned more about New York and them about Canada.

I met so many very nice people and some that would go out of their way for you.  I had a great time, as I can see why everyone Loves New York, even with the exhausting experience of climbing up and down stairs in the subway stations. 

A Coney Island sign stands in front of the amusement park in Brooklyn, New York on Saturday, October, 15th 2016.
(Jessica Datema/Lambton College)

A seagull lands, on a park table at Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York on Saturday, October 15th 2016.
(Jessica Datema/Lambton College)

Seth Meyers entertains the group by enticing the seagulls at Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York on Saturday October 15th, 2016. (Nicole Bowles/ Lambton College)

An employee climbs a ladder to grab a book from the top shelf at the massive Strand Bookstore in Manhattan, New York on Saturday October 15th, 2016. (Nicole Bowles/ Lambton Colle

The M&M store is lit up from a block away in Time’s Square, New York on Saturday October 15th, 2016. (Nicole Bowles/ Lambton College)

The One World Trade Center / Freedom Tower rises above the grave markers in the First Calvary Cemetery across from our Queen's area hotel.  Photo By Richard Beland

Seth casts a shadow as we walk through the Sunnyside, Queens neighborhood on our daily trek to the Subway.  Photo by Dave Chidley

The morning  sun reflects off a sign in Sunnyside Queens.  Photo by Roxanne Monteiro

A couple of the many people met on the "free day" of exploring NYC.  Photo by Roxanne Monteiro

A classic Schwinn bicycle with lots of accessories including loud music on the boardwalk at Coney Island.  Photo by Dave Chidley

A group of Lambton students walk the colourful and eclectic boardwalk at Coney Island.  Photo by Dave Chidley

A man hauls in another catch of Smelt.  Many people were fishing the pier on a beautiful fall day at Coney Island.  Photo by Dave Chidley

It was a  carnival of colours and subjects as Gina and the rest of our group discovered at Coney Island. Photo by Dave Chidley

The competitiveness or our group was evident during a fun "free day" activity of go-kart racing at Coney Island.  Richard passes Emily after she spun out on the track.  Photo by Dave Chidley

Gina smiles as she stays in front of Eric during a fun "free day" activity of go-kart racing at Coney Island.  Richard passes Emily after she spun out on the track.  Photo by Dave Chidley

Colours and colourful characters were all along the boardwalk. Photo by Dave Chidley 

Christina searches for more "sweet" photos at Coney Island.  Photo by Dave Chidley

Richard Beland our fearless Coordinator, discovers the waves on the beach at Coney Island.  Photo by Dave Chidley

Seth lines up a photo in a still closed section of Coney Island in the great morning light.  Photo by Dave Chidley

The locals sing to members of our group as we walk the boardwalk on a sunny fall day. 

People on the train, smile and react to our large group, after we tried but failed to fit about a dozen of us in this NYC subway train.  Rush hour was a challenge for traveling as a group!  Photo by Dave Chidley

Sarah reacts to the lights and visual impact of Times Square as others look in all directions on the final stop of our day. Photo by Dave Chidley