The Adventures Issue

T H E

i s s u e

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Washington Square news | THURSDAY, october 6, 2011 | nyunews.com

Washington Square News Editor-in-Chief JAYWON ERIC CHOE Managing Editor

KELSEY DESIDERIO

FROM THE EDITOR

Deputy Managing Editor

RUSSELL STEINBERG Assistant Managing Editor

KIRSTEN CHANG Creative Director

TERKA CICELOVA senior staff

Dear Readers, Too often have students promised themselves that they would take advantage of time off from school, only to spend their breaks slaving away in their dorm rooms. We live in a metropolitan environment that thrives on ideas without boundaries. We see and read about

university JAEWON KANG city/state AMY ZHANG arts CHARLES MAHONEY features AMANDA RANDONE sports JAMES LANNING multimedia LAUREN STRAUSSER enterprise ARIELLE MILKMAN special issues FRANCIS POON brownstone JAKE FLANAGIN copy jack brooks senior editors elizabeth gyori,

amanda shih

deputy staff

university gentry brown, julie

devito, susannaH griffee

so many fascinating things going on around us and are determined to explore for ourselves

city/state hanqing chen, brian

what New York has to offer as soon as our schedules permit it. But an opening in a hectic

music parker bruce film/books stefan Melnyk entertainment JONATHON

schedule is sometimes an invitation to never leave your extra-long, twin bed.

The Washington Square News has created this special issue to put an end to these broken promises. Our team of writers, editors and photographers has gotten together to produce this special edition to cater to the needs of our fellow students — a guide to remind them of forgotten adventures and a source of inspiration to seek out new ones.

tam, emily yang

DORNBUSH theater ERIC SHETHAR features EMILY MCDERMOTT dining SARAH KAMENETZ fashion CARRIE COUROGEN sports SANCHAY JAIN production MERYLL PREPOSI multimedia DAVID LIN

opinion page

opinion editor JOHN SURICO deputy opinion editors ATTICUS

We have assembled our own ideas and paired them with research, information, tips and photos in this Adventures Issue to help you make the best of the upcoming Columbus Day break. All of the options featured have been selected with the financially conscious student in mind. Our reporters have worked hard to investigate alternative means of affordable transportation and events that are reasonable both in cost and proximity.

BRIGHAM, MARIA MICHALOS

advertising business manager

REBECCA RIBEIRO sales manager

Stefanie Yotka circulation manager

MEagan Driver

New York City and the surrounding area is a breeding ground for entertainment. From local

university sales coordinator

Emilia Mironovici

movie spots to the picturesque paths of the Appalachian Trail, we have spotted the many

sales representatives

places offering all kinds of fun. Inside this issue, you will find advice on how to pack ap-

Kaitlyn O’Brien, MICHAEL RYAN, Melissa Ynegas

propriately and manage your time while planning your own Columbus Day endeavor. This

advising

issue is designed to encourage our readers to replace Hulu with hiking and to abandon

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

lounging for apple-picking. Leave your laptop at home and become an explorer for a day.

Fill up that open schedule with something other than sleep.

MICHAEL SUMMERS editorial adviser

keith leighty EDITOR-AT-LARGE

KATIE THOMPSON About WSN: Washington Square News (ISSN 15499389) is the student newspaper of New York University. WSN is published Monday through Thursday during NYU’s academic year, except for university holidays, vacations and exam periods.

­— Amanda Randone, Features Editor

Corrections: WSN is committed to accurate reporting. When we make errors, we do our best to correct them as quickly as possible. If you believe we have erred, contact managing editor Kelsey Desiderio at managing@nyunews. com or at 212.998.4302.

nyunews.com Photo Credits:

Cover: University of New Hampshire Library; OpenHouse: courtesy of Linda G. Miller; Movies: ghostbuster: courtesy of Sony Pictures, itch: courtesy of 20th Century Fox, Superman: courtesy of Warner Brothers Studio; Geocaching: Francis Poon/WSN; Apple: Lauren Strausser/WSN; Buses: via Flickr.com; Colleges: gallaudet: gallaudet.edu; berklee: wikipedia.org; Faculty: courtesy of Mitchell Stephens; courtesy of Matthew Baum; courtesy of Dr. Michael Maurer; courtesy of José Perillán

nyunews.com | THURSDAY, october 6, 2011 | Washington Square news

WHAT IS

Open House New York?

By Maximilíano Durón New York is home to some of the most architecturally and culturally diverse structures in the world. Unfortunately, much of this incredible city is kept beyond our reach, tucked away behind a velvet rope. But for two days, those barriers come down courtesy of Open House New York, an annual volunteer-led event that lets visitors explore over 200 locations not commonly open to the public. The event, held on Oct. 15 and 16, spans the five boroughs and celebrates the city’s unique design, architecture and culture. A full list of events is available in the Oct. 5 issue of Time Out New York and online at ohny.org, but here’s a taste of some of the awesome events in store.

The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine Saturday and Sunday 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

1047 Amsterdam Ave. One of the many religious centers that will be open to the public for the weekend, this massive cathedral combines Romanesque and Gothic architecture with a large tile dome, colossal bronze doors and beautiful stained glass windows. Get lost in St. John’s breathtaking gardens, complete with peacocks. Peacocks? Since when do peacocks wander anywhere? This place is definitely a must-see place.

Edgar Allan Poe Cottage Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sun day from 1 to 5 p.m.

2640 Grand Concourse For those who can’t get enough of Poe’s New York legacy, take a trip to his cottage in The Bronx. This farmhouse was Poe’s home for the last three years of his life and served as the studio where he composed “Annabel Lee,” “The Bells” and “Eureka.” See where the magic — or what some would consider the twisted and slightly disturbed inspiration — happened.

The Noguchi Museum Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

9-01 33rd Rd. This is a tribute to the Japanese artist and landscape architect Isamu Noguchi. His former studio houses a comprehensive collection of his stone, metal, wood and clay artworks. A serene garden of his sculpture surrounds the galleries and is a worthwhile sight to see.

Little Red Lighthouse Sunday 12 to 4 p.m.

Fort Washington Park at 178th St. This site may be a little far uptown but is worth the trek. This alluring red lighthouse once served as the ship’s guide in the Hudson River around the George Washington Bridge. The lighthouse’s location and view from the observation deck will give any adventurer an awe-inspiring view of the city.

Maximilíano Durón is a contributing writer.

Email him at features@nyunews.com.

HIDDEN

MOVIE SPOTS Planning on staying in the city over the break? Don’t be a recluse and hole up in Bobst all weekend. Treat yourself to an adventure and check out these fun movie spots around the city. Grab your camera and don comfortable walking shoes to embark on your own movie set journey without looking like a tourist. — Kristina Bogos

“GHOSTBUSTERS” (Ghostbusters Headquarters: Hook & Ladder Company, 8-14 N. Moore and Varick streets) Don’t be afraid of no ghosts, and visit Hook & Ladder Company’s fire station to see where parapsychology experts Peter, Ray and Egon established their “Ghostbusters” headquarters.

“THE SEVEN-YEAR ITCH” (Subway grating on Lexington Avenue & 52nd Street) In need of a classic Marilyn Monroe moment? Get your white dress and a blonde wig and stand above the subway grate on Lexington Avenue and 52nd Street, just like the legendary Monroe in 1955’s “The Seven-Year Itch.”

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“SUPERMAN” (Daily Planet lobby: Daily News building, 220 E. 42nd St. and Second Ave.) As impossible as it is to possess superhero powers, we still envy Clark Kent’s fortuitous abilities. Get a dose of Superman and explore the lobby of the Daily News building, home to the fictional newspaper The Daily Planet, to see where Clark Kent was once a journalist by day and Superman by night.

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Washington Square news | THURSDAY, october 6, 2011 | nyunews.com

What is

GEOCACHING?

Three summers ago, as I sat idly in my room trying to avoid packing for my first year at NYU, my best friend called: “Francis! Let’s go geocaching!”

“Geocaching? What’s that?” I asked, clearly oblivious to the meaning of that strange word.

While my friend was keen on surprises and refused to divulge any more information, I (because I’m just a nicer person than he is) would be happy to explain: Geocaching, as I learned later that afternoon, is a worldwide treasure hunting game. Participants of the game (“geocachers,” as we call ourselves) find treasures left by other participants. Using longitudes and latitudes as guidelines, adventureseekers might consider spending an afternoon looking for one of these hidden treasure boxes (“caches”) and perhaps even hiding their own caches for someone else to find.

To start, simply log on to geocaching. com for a list of nearby geocaches.

And now, a quick list of things you’ll need: 1. Comfortable shoes: You’ll be walking everywhere — including around bushes and through puddles.

2. Flashlight: Shine your light into the nooks and crannies; chances are, your hidden treasure is sitting somewhere in the dark.

3. Pen: Use it to sign the “You Were Here” log book found in most cache boxes.

4. Something small to add to the box: Caches are often filled with little trinkets left by other geocachers and are maintained by an informal “take one, leave one” rule. Upon opening the box, take a trinket to commemorate your find and leave behind one of your own items for someone else.

5. Optional gloves/hand sanitizer: For those of you who are germophobes — you never know what you might find.

Geocaching is a free adventure for all. After circling around our mall countless times — looking under benches and in bushes — we finally found an Altoid box magnetically stuck to the bottom of a stop sign.

Two years later, I still find myself wanting to geocache again. Geocaching is about returning to a simpler time. It’s about hanging with friends — no homework, no tests, just fun. — FRANCIS POON

G O IN G

O UT O F TOW N

By Cody Delistraty With Columbus Day weekend upon us, getting out of the city is the priority for many here at NYU. And while a plane ticket to the other coast may be too expensive, there are plenty of places nearby where you can take in the fresh air and breathtaking vistas, while still having some time to sleep in. Here are a few options.

Sailing in Norwalk, Conn.

If you’re longing to sail the gorgeous fall waters without all the hustle and bustle of the Hudson, a trip to Long Island Sound is your best bet. Just a one-hour train ride from Manhattan, Norwalk offers worldclass sailing options. Sailboat rentals are available at Sound Sailing Center. There are certainly opportunities to sail closer to home, but the serenity of Norwalk and its 142-year-old lighthouse tower put it a notch above the rest. To end a pleasant day of sailing in style, head to the top of the nautical relic and take in the glimmering New York City skyline, waves lapping against the shore below.

Getting There: Grand Central to Westport on Metro-North, then walk or take a cab about half a mile to Norwalk’s city center.

The trip takes about one hour.

Quick Tip: Sailboat rentals are significantly less expensive on weekdays, so look into heading down on Monday or Tuesday.

BEST

Whether you’re visiting friends at a neighboring college, enjoying a weekend getaway or simply spending quality time with your family, your chosen mode of transportation can make or break your journey. Hop on one of these buses for a more comfortable, affordable approach to your fall break adventures.

Greyhound: With amenities like plush leather seating and WiFi

Hiking the Appalachian Trail An aging blue bench surrounded by open fields and dirt paths awaits you as you step off the train from Grand Central Station. This 1920s-style train stop sits just across the road from the entrance to the Appalachian Trail, the largest trail on the East Coast — running from Georgia to Maine. The New York part of the trail boasts beautiful green forests, bird’s-eye views of lush fields and exciting finds, like a small waterfall running through a gorge. There are well-marked trails for all different skill levels, ranging in lengths of up to ten miles. With star-filled skies in the evening and empty expanses of land in every direction, the Appalachian Trail gives you lots of time to think and breathe in the fresh air.

Getting There: Grand Central to Appalachian Trail on Metro-North. The trip takes about one hour and 40 minutes. Trains run only on weekends with two roundtrip options.

Quick Tip: As the winter approaches, hunting becomes legal, so be sure to wear some bright orange gear if you head into hunting territory — though there is rarely any hunting on Sundays.

Apple Picking at Masker Orchards in Warwick, N.Y. It’s time to get your blanket and a picnic basket filled with your favorite autumn

snacks. Whether you decide to go with a bottle of Côte de Beaune, a baguette and a hunk of chèvre or sparkling water, watermelon and pasta salad, you should definitely take a day trip down to one of New York’s many scenic orchards. At Masker Orchards in Warwick, you can access your inner child and grab a few apples straight off the trees. Then, plop yourself down for a picnic in the countryside. The orchard is 200 acres wide, so there are plenty of trees and hiding spots. With fresh apples, crunchy fall leaves and spectacular views of the valley, an afternoon picnic is the best way to take it all in.

Getting There: Take the New Jersey Transit’s #196 or #197 bus from Port Authority to Willowbrook Station in Warwick. Walk or cab it from the station to the orchard a half-mile down the road. Total trip time is about two hours and 30 minutes.

Quick Tip: Check out the Orchard Ripening Schedule, so you’ll know how to pick the perfect apples.

Relaxing in Cape May, N.J. The beaches on this quiet peninsula town will be deserted until next summer, and you won’t find any tourists on its cobblestone streets or in its quaint Victorian houses. Take advantage of the calm and book a reservation at Peter Shields Inn. You can enjoy sleeping in and waking up to breakfast downstairs, with a view of the ocean from the front porch. Stroll down the peaceful streets of Cape May, stopping in at Laura’s Fudge Shop for ice cream and taffy. From there, you can walk along the shore to dip your feet in the water or hop on board a whale-watching cruise. If you go later in the evening, there are often dolphin-watching cruises with prime rib dinner. Sleeping in, marveling at dolphins, ice cream in your stomach and the sand between your toes is the perfect recipe for relaxation.

Getting There: Take the New Jersey Transit bus from Port Authority to Cape May Welcome Center. The trip takes about four hours and 30 minutes.

Quick Tip: If you’re feeling like a bit of learning or desire a smidgeon of 19th-century romance, take an enjoyable half-hour carriage tour.

Cody Delistraty is a contributing writer.

Email him at features@nyunews.com.

BUSES TO GET AROUND

hotspots, Greyhound buses provide comfortable interiors and convenient features for service as far south as Atlanta. One-way tickets tend to err on the more expensive side with prices upwards of $30. Student discounts are available but only with the purchase of a $20 Student Advantage Discount Card. Though a reputable company, Greyhound does suffer from poor customer service, chaotic bus terminals and a tendency to over-book.

Megabus: For the early birds and night owls, Megabus offers one-way tickets as low as $5 for sunrise and midnight rides. Their double-decker buses accommodate more passengers than any other bus company in New York. Even though passengers can avoid bus terminals when choosing Megabus, they will often face delayed rides and a one-piece-of-luggage policy. Access to free WiFi can also be inconsistent at times.

BoltBus: Perhaps the most customer-friendly bus company out there, BoltBus recently removed seats to provide optimal legroom and created boarding groups to eliminate lengthy lines. Along with their reasonable prices, BoltBus grants customers one free ride after eight trips. Passengers can board with just the click of a button; simply show a text confirmation and be on your way.

— KRISTINA BOGOS

nyunews.com | THURSDAY, october 6, 2011 | Washington Square news

TAKE A

College Road Trip

By Hannah Borenstein Even with NYU’s diverse population and surrounding culture, students may feel the urge to venture off and discover more of East Coast collegiate life over this upcoming break. If you are eager to diversify your college experiences or if you are just looking for some fun away from the hectic city, here is a list of colleges within a fivehour radius that offer a drastic change of pace.

Gallaudet University — Washington, D.C.

Georgetown also provides accessible shopping, famous cupcakes and the eerie stairs from “The Exorcist.” Plus, unlike the New York City Transit, the D.C. Metro is immaculately clean.

United States Military Academy — West Point, N.Y. Established in 1802, the USMA campus lies along a scenic bank of the Hudson River just 50 miles north of New York City. The campus buildings are based on Revolutionary War fort ruins, and most of the land has been considered a National Historic Landmark. Around campus, you will see uniformed students engaging in a range of activities, from marching drills to intensive physical training. The philosophy, security and fashion of USMA vastly differs from conventional United States collegiate life. Two-hour tours are scheduled on a daily basis and stops at the Cadet Chapel, Trophy Point, Battle Monument and the Plain.

USMA is also just a short drive from Bear Mountain State Park where there are hiking trails, boat rentals, picnic areas and the Trailside Museum and Zoo.

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warts-like feel. Their dining halls are some of the most sustainable in the country, using frying oil as biodiesel fuel. And if the tiny suburban campus gets too claustrophobic, you’re a mere ten miles from Philadelphia. Student favorites include Woody’s — a gay bar that is partrestaurant, part-bar and part-disco — and Zanzibar Blue, which provides a more opulent environment brimming with live jazz and French, Southern and Latin food.

Berklee College of Music – Boston, Mass.

Alfred University — Alfred, N.Y.

Gallaudet was the first school in the world that was established for the advanced education of the deaf and hard of hearing. Once you experience the diversity of this bilingual school, you’ll find that Washington, D.C. itself has a lot to offer. The 19 Smithsonian museums, including the Air and Space Museum, African Art Museum and Freer Gallery of Art, are fascinating — and free.

Alfred University lies about an hour and a half south of Rochester and has an undergraduate population of approximately 2,000 students. In 2009, the school purchased a “conference bike” built to hold seven people. Instead of a traditional walking tour, prospective students sit aboard the contraption — the tour leader manning the steering and breaking and the tourists pedaling along. For more adventurous souls, there are plenty of hiking, horse-back riding and camping opportunities across their 630 acres of land.

At the heart of the campus stands a statue of the school symbol, King Alfred — often subject to pranks as part of a long-standing tradition. If you show up loaded with toilet paper, rotten fruit and beer cans, joining in on the prank will likely land you a spot as an Alfred honoree.

Bryn Mawr College — Lower Merion, Pa. Bryn Mawr is a distinguished liberal arts school founded

by Quakers in the 1800s. The all-girl campus is beautiful, with manor-like dormitory facilities that create a Hog-

As the largest contemporary music college in the world, Berklee is sure to provide not only great free music, but also a student population distinctly different from NYU’s.

Roughly 70 percent of Berklee students are male, giving it one of the highest male-to-female ratios among the country’s colleges. The school halls are always filled with music — there are plenty of free performances, small open mic nights in students’ apartments and commercial concerts downtown. Additionally, Berklee is located in the heart of Boston, which is often considered a toneddown version of New York. The city is home to some of the best Irish pubs, our rivaling Red Sox and thousands of eclectic, interesting college students.

Hannah Borenstein is a contributing writer.

Email her at features@nyunews.com.

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Washington Square news | THURSDAY, october 6, 2011 | nyunews.com

By Emily McDermott

H OW TO

PACK FO R TH E W EEK EN D

While calling our four day vacation a fall break may be a bit of a stretch, there is still enough time to hit the road and escape the city for a few days. When making your travel plans, keep in mind that it’s important to pack light. You will only be away for four or five days, so no oversized, monstrous suitcases are allowed.

When packing, stick to the essentials. If you’re going on a camping trip upstate, don’t waste space on items like a bulky blow-dryer. Instead, be sure to bring warm clothing for nights by the fire. On the other hand, if you are visiting friends at neighboring colleges, pack a nice outfit for dinner

THE While traveling itself is always a blast, most people would agree that planning a trip can be a painful, drawn-out process. So much time and effort is invested into choosing a destination that by the time you arrive at your destination, you’ll be too exhausted to enjoy it. So to help you out, here are five travel websites that will make travel planning almost as fun as the getaway itself.

— DO HOON BAE

rather than sweatpants. To keep your suitcase light, bring pieces of clothing like jeans that can be worn again and again without washing. Though you may be tempted to pack four pairs of pants, one is just fine.

Layers will also help you lighten the load. Girls should pick out a light, breezy dress or two in case the weather is warm, but make sure they include a pair of tights and a sweater in case the forecast changes. The sweater can also transform daytime apparel into an evening or nighttime outfit in the blink of an eye. Boys, opt for packing a pair of pants and several shirts along with a matching jacket to diversify your looks.

Shoes are some of the bulkiest items

to pack. It may be tempting to throw in one pair of shoes for each day of your trip, but one pair is enough. Pick out some nice boots or other versatile footwear, making sure they match all the clothes you pack.

As for baggage, it is acceptable to bring a rolling suitcase, but try to stick to duffle or weekender bags. If you choose a roller be sure it is the smallest you can find. Weekender bags are perfect for bringing just the right amount of clothing, and they will also motivate you to pack lightly because, after all, you will have to carry it.

Emily McDermott is deputy features editor.

Email her at emcdermott@nyunews.com.

BEST TRAVEL WEBSITES

gogobot.com This social travel website provides personalized travel recommendations for its users based on suggestions from friends in their social networks.

tripadvisor.com Travelers can use this platform to gather essential travel information, post reviews and read opinions of travel-related content. You can also post questions about your next trip on the travel forums.

vayable.com This website allows users to hire seasoned guides from all over the world to offer unique, local experiences, rather than those cited in clichéd books, travel guides and websites.

tripit.com This mobile organizer allows you to create a detailed itinerary. Tripit will create a master list where you can upload important travel information and access it anywhere in the world.

nyunews.com | THURSDAY, october 6, 2011 | Washington Square news

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By David Lin and Lauren Strausser Wherever your adventures take you, you’ll want to have pictures so you can prove to your friends that you did, in fact, say hitchhike all the way up to Rochester. Sure, just about anyone can hold up the camera and hit the shutter button, but if you take a little extra time you can shoot photos that will stand out from those others on Facebook.

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H OW TO

TA KE G O O D P I CT U R ES

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Lighting:

The best pictures are those with tons of natural light. Have the subject face the light in order to best avoid shadows and illuminate his or her features. If natural lighting can’t be found, use the flash on your camera.

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Spontaneity:

The best moments happen when you least expect them. Always carry your camera — you never know when a photo-worthy opportunity is going to present itself. The most unforgettable pictures are the ones that capture genuine emotions. But don’t be too spontaneous. Always remember to carry an extra SD card and camera battery, so you don’t miss any memorable moments.

Angles:

Perspective can be completely altered depending on the angle from which you take a picture. You can mix up the traditional straight on-photograph by shooting from high up, close to the ground or from the side. Don’t be afraid to get close to the subject you are photographing.

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David Lin is deputy photo editor. Lauren Strausser is photo editor. Email them at photo@nyunews.com.

Know your camera:

Play around with the settings on your camera before you actually go out and shoot. Understanding the different modes and how they alter a shot can enhance the quality of your images.

For example, knowing that the macro setting on your camera is for close-up shots will help you get even more vivid, detailed pictures.

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Washington Square news | THURSDAY, october 6, 2011 | nyunews.com

TRAVEL LOGS

Mitchell Stephens CAS journalism professor Ten years ago, journalism professor Mitchell Stephens traveled around the world for nine months. In addition to writing about globalization, Stephens was seeking an adventure. He began by driving a metallic blue Camry from New Jersey to the Panama Canal. From there, he boarded a ship to Peru and then flew to the Andes Mountains. Stephens made an effort to travel on land and water, flying only when necessary.

He began his journey planning to write online for FEED magazine, which had offered to finance his trip. But after only three articles, FEED backed out. Lonely Planet, a travel guide company, rescued Stephens, offering to pick up the tab for his trip. While writing for Lonely Planet, Stephens also provided commentaries for “Marketplace” on public radio.

A nine month journey might seem daunting for a father and husband, but Stephens was on the road for only six of the nine months. He returned home three times throughout his travels to visit his family, and his wife occasionally flew out to see him.

Across the Atlantic Ocean, Stephens spent 60 hours in the Sahara Desert. Stephens then sailed across the Black Sea

to Russia, where he endured an 81-hour train ride as the only English speaker other than a young boy. Stephens established a relationship with the conductor of the train, who subsequently invited Stephens to stay with him.

Stephens traveled across mountains, into China and then into Pakistan. He said he traveled like an American — extremely fast. Continuing his journey, Stephens arrived in India, where he spent more time than anywhere else that he visited.

On an Indian island, Stephens visited a hunting and gathering society. In one Indiana Jones-esque moment, a native aimed his bow and arrow straight at Stephens.

After his time spent in India, Stephens traveled through Singapore and Thailand, returning home to the United States just before Sept. 11, 2001. Stephens said he is proud of his trip, adventures and experiences. While most might have felt homesick or lonely, Stephens remained optimistic, saying he only had difficulty with leaving his daughter after she drove him through Mexico. Once he was alone, Stephens said, “There were always fascinating people to meet and places to go.”

Matthew Baum Tisch adjunct photo instructor After spending one year in his dream architectural graduate program at Harvard, Baum decided he just wasn’t happy.

“I was freaked out,” Baum said. “I dropped out, and I didn’t know what to do.”

Baum’s 30th birthday was looming, and it had become a pivotal point in his life.

He was conditioned to believe that by the age of 30, he needed a firm grasp on his future.

For one year Baum performed metaland woodwork before deciding to emulate Jack Kerouac.

“I took an old Nikon from my father, got in the car with a small chunk of change and decided to go west,” Baum said.

Growing up, Baum was deprived of camping trips and wilderness exposure; he was traveling into the unknown with little more than a car and a friend’s borrowed tent.

Starting in New Jersey, Baum drove his Saab through western Pennsylvania, Ohio and the prairie states. He became fully consumed with the experience when he reached South Dakota, traveling through Grand Teton, Yellow Stone and the Badlands. Baum drove through Wyoming and up to Seattle, where he stayed with a friend for a month.

Baum said he would simply look at a map, choose a direction and drive.

“I was so liberated and free from everything I had been carrying with me,”

Baum said. “It was strange for me waking up in a tent and asking myself, ‘Where do I want to go today?’”

After his stay in Seattle, Baum continued to San Francisco, where he lived for six months. When his money ran low, Baum picked up odd jobs, but eventually he decided it was time to head back east.

Baum traveled Route 66 in 110-degree weather with no air conditioning, stayed in LA for a month and then traveled back through Arizona, Nevada, Utah and Colorado, finally making his way back to Jersey.

Before this journey, Baum did not consider himself an artist. He learned to trust himself, slow down and embrace the moment.

“It wasn’t until I was on the road with a camera, seeing places I hadn’t seen, [that I began] to understand what living a visual life meant,” Baum said.

The journey was a turning point in Baum’s adult life. Baum shot over 400 rolls of film as he traveled the span of the country, visiting at least 35 national parks. He has now driven through every continental state except for North Dakota at least twice. The road trip became the foundation for Baum’s work today; he viscerally and physically needs to be on the road for his well-being.

“It was when I took the reins and began to chart my own future,” Baum said.

nyunews.com | THURSDAY, october 6, 2011 | Washington Square news

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By Emily McDermott

NYU FACULTY MEMBERS SHARE THEIR TRAVEL ADVENTURES

Traveling the world in nine months, attending a Jordanian wedding, helping disaster victims — students fantasize about taking on exciting adventures like these after college but aren’t always able to make them happen. But many NYU faculty members have seen their fair share of the globe and are more than willing to share their tremendous travel experiences. All you have to do is ask.

JosE PerillAn

Gallatin assistant professor

Dr. Michael Maurer Steinhardt adjunct assistant professor of Applied Psychology

Dr. Michael Maurer has found himself face-to-face with disaster on more than one occasion. In the early 1970s, Maurer held a full-time position with the Red Cross, and since 1974 he has served as a volunteer. After the earthquakes in Haiti and Chile, Maurer was there to help. He has also served in relief efforts following four hurricanes, including Irene this past summer.

In early September, when severe flooding from Irene devastated parts of upstate New York, Maurer volunteered for 21 days to provide disaster relief. He lived in Westchester for 10 days before the semester started, and once classes began, he commuted — living four days a week in

Westchester and three days in the city.

Maurer was part of a team that oversaw the training of 1,600 volunteers and staff from all over America. His duties included delivering and teaching specialized classes on how to complete evaluations of affected areas and how to delegate jobs to volunteers.

“People came all the way from Alaska and Hawaii to help,” Maurer said.

With the earthquake in Virginia preceding Irene by only a few days, Mauer said evacuations and emergency reports forced New Yorkers to pay attention.

“New York has awoken from the dream that [disaster] will just happen some place else,” Mauer said.

HOW TO Time flies when you’re having fun, and it flies even faster when you’re putting off your homework. Long breaks from school mean more time for interesting alternatives to studying, but your work still needs to get done. Figure out what your weaknesses are and follow these tips to overcome them and avoid pulling an allnighter right before classes resume on Wednesday. — Mary Kay De Guzman

man where he could purchase water, a friendship formed. The man, named Nasser, approached Perillán as he was rehydrating and struck up conversation.

Nasser offered to take Perillán to a swimming hole, which Perillán likened to the Garden of Eden in the middle of a desert.

Nasser invited Perillán to stay with his family. For one week, Perillán shadowed Nasser as he gave tours of the city.

He even attended the wedding of one of Nasser’s relatives.

“I wasn’t expecting to be welcomed the way I was, to live with a family and be welcomed in, to literally walk in their shoes,” Perillán said. “It was a transformative experience.”

Through this experience, Perillán was inspired to establish a program offering similar experiences to other undergraduates. He now teaches an immersion seminar and travels with his students to Malawi in Southeast Africa.

Gallatin professor José Perillán spent three consecutive summers during his undergraduate years on an Israeli archaeological dig site. During the second summer, Perillán decided to visit Jordan before returning to Israel.

The digs were in Yodefat, a first century town and the primary point of resistance against the Romans in 67 A.D. Students kicked up dirt and found first century coins, pottery, frescos and even skeletal remains. But Perillán found the digs too organized and regimented — he wanted more time to explore.

On his trip to Jordan, Perillán traveled alone, making his way to Petra by public transportation and hitchhiking.

“There were monuments carved into the walls,” he said. “It was like seeing the pyramids in Egypt — just breathtaking.”

Perillán’s plan was to stay in a youth hostel, but a happenstance encounter landed him a week of immersion within a Bedouin family. After asking a young

STUDY DURING A WEEKEND

Do you work best in groups?

Stray away from the closest coffee shop to study with your friends and find a group of people who are serious about getting work done.

Do you crack under pressure?

Spread your work evenly throughout your vacation days and take quick breaks in between laborious studying. You’ll stay refreshed and calm and retain more information without all

the stress of a time crunch.

Do you feel more motivated during the day or night?

Keep the difficult tasks for the times when you are most focused. You are more likely to retain what matters most when your brain is at its sharpest and most alert.

Do you get distracted by people easily?

Get out of Washington or Union Square

parks and find your own space in the city where you’re less likely to see someone you know. Fewer people to distract you means more time to be productive.

Are you comprehending your reading?

Don’t read without reason. Find an innovative way to learn by making connections between what you’re learning and what already you know. Annotate while reading to better engage with the material.

STREET VIEW

EXPLORING THE BOWERY

By Mary Kay De Guzman Within the hustle and bustle of New York City, there is no shortage of adventures available for students. From watching shows on Broadway to exploring Central Park, the city that never sleeps has good reason not to. But the East Village has many hidden treasures that set it apart from New York’s more standard tourist attractions.

For instance, wander down Fourth Avenue and through Cooper Square until you find

yourself on Bowery between First and Second streets. Here, you can feel the beat of the city while indulging in the relaxed, bohemian culture that the Village has claimed its own, and find one-of-kind attractions that will fill your four-day weekend with plenty of adventure.

Along this section of Bowery is a mix of restaurants, highend shops and galleries of modern art and photography. If you need a place to study, Think Coffee (1 Bleecker St.) and Agozar Restaurant and Lounge (324

AN

Bowery) sit right on the corner of Bleecker and Bowery.

This area is also home to The Hole (104 Greene St.), which features street and modern art, and the Morrison Hotel Gallery (124 Prince St.), which houses iconic American photographs.

The Bowery Poetry Club (308 Bowery), located at the intersection of First and Bowery, also hosts open-mic nights and weekly bingo games.

If you want to escape the crowded main streets, turn onto E. Second Street, where

you will find a wall of graffiti next to Albert’s Garden. Though the small garden is closed for reconstruction until Oct. 16, it promises to be a hidden escape from Washington Square once it opens.

More art awaits just two blocks south, on the corner of First Street and Second Avenue, where a wall of breathtaking graffiti murals grace the side of a building. When First Street comes to a dead end it turns into Extra Place, which houses three notable stores and restaurants.

The quaint Oaxaca Taqueria (16 Extra Pl.) is nestled away at the end of the street; the Montana Knox store (4 Extra Pl.) showcases an assortment of “I (Heart) NY” shirts, and The Proposition (2 Extra Pl.) is a mesmerizing modern art gallery. But the dominant appeal of Extra Place is its remote location, removed from the sounds of horns and photo-crazed tourists.

Mary Kay De Guzman is a contributing writer. Email her at features@nyunews.com.

ADVENTURES PLAYLIST

Well, it’s Thursday afternoon and you’re almost done with classes for the week. What will the weekend bring?

Allow these songs to add a soundtrack to — or even to inspire — your New York adventures during the long weekend. — PARKER BRUCE

“Roam” by The B-52’s The B-52’s are walking fun. You should listen to whatever they say.

“I Need Fun in My Life” by The Drums This song is a bit depressing, but it does involves a few lyrics about roaming around New York City. Just forget the depressed bit.

“Biology” by Girls Aloud Do as the girls say in this song: “So I got my cappuccino to go and I’m heading for the hills again.” Acquire said cappuccino at Jack’s Coffee on W. 10th Street.

“Perfect Day” by Hoku Yes, this is an obvious choice, but Hoku must have been enjoyable to hang out with. She wakes up at noon and still eats breakfast (go to Juliette in Williamsburg or B Bar in the East Village) — my kind of woman!

“Saturday Sunday” by Twin Sister It might be a little chilly to visit a marina like the one mentioned in the song, but there’s no dearth of alternative options in a New York weekend. Pop in at Other Music on Fourth Street and buy this album.

“Walk in the Park” by Beach House New York is filled with parks. I guarantee that you will wander into one some way or another.

Check out Madison Square Park and visit the holy Shake Shack.

“Weekend” by Class Actress As she sings in the song, “bring on the weekend.” Wise words, Class Actress.

“Feels Like Heaven” by Adventure This artist’s name is Adventure. Of course he’s on this list.