An Unexpected Gem

An Unexpected Gem
Whenever I am visiting a new town or country, one of my favorite things to do is take a local walking tour. While I can, and have, enjoyed various sights and settings on my own, there is something really special about understanding the backstory of a new place: its point of origin in history, its own unique point of view.
Armed with this mission, and a bona fide New Yorker, I began scouting out local tour companies to satiate my lust for stories. There were many tour companies to choose from each touting its expertise on City landmarks, neighborhood enclaves or celebrity-fair, but one company, a dark horse among the herd, caught my eye.

Inside Out Tours professed to know the hidden history and untold stories of its many offerings from Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO to the South Bronx Renaissance Tour. I was excited to take a chance on this smaller, but critically-acclaimed and New York Times reviewed, company. I guess you could say I was leery of having a megatour experience.
I registered for the Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO Tour.

A group of about 20 of us met at the Tweed Courthouse and learned about the inglorious past of the corrupt politician known as Boss Tweed, after whom the courthouse was named. Our tour guide, Ludi, was warm and engaging with a quick wit and effortless manner. Before giving us the backstory of the courthouse, she went around the circle asking everyone to share our country or city of origin, personally welcoming us to NYC and the tour.

Walking past Tweed, as it is apparently known to the initiated, Ludi pointed out various statues, explaining their significance in the tapestry of New York City history. As we made our way to the Brooklyn Bridge, every so often, she would pause to ensure that the group was keeping up with her. A few tourists from the group fell into step with Ludi, as I occasionally did; she was a pleasure to interact with: listening to our experiences of the City and native homes, discussing her own interests (being a tour guide is obviously one!), while sharing subtle gems of wisdom along the way.
To conclude the tour, we walked across the iconic bridge which offered picturesque views of the Manhattan and Williamsburg bridges across the East River. As we took in the sights, Ludi paused at various landmarks on the bridge to tell the suspenseful story of the many lives lost and misfortunes faced before the Roebling family was finally able to realize its dream of completing the bridge in 1909. Her narrative, as we examined the wooden floor underfoot, the cables around and above us, majestic towers, sky-framing arches and massive ocean below us was in a word surreal. These artifacts, like silent, time-traveling witnesses, drove Ludi s mesmerizing narrative forward, transporting us back in time to when the bridge was finally completed. To know that we were standing and walking on the SAME bridge, with many of the SAME bricks, planks, undergirding and cables that many traversed and even GAVE their lives to construct over one century ago, was tremendously moving.

We crossed the Brooklyn Bridge into DUMBO (which apparently stands for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge) and learned about the evolution of the neighborhood from a dirty waterfront to an industrial hub; today, it is a popular artist haven, celebrity lair, television and major motion studio attraction. We stopped at a gourmet chocolate shop at the end of the tour, featuring yummy, eccentric chocolate combinations and specialty gluten-free and kosher chocolates!
Reluctantly, we parted ways with our enormously gifted educator and storyteller. Ludi warmly bade us goodbye, exchanging a few hugs with those of us who were not averse to touch, explaining why she was so passionate about working for a company that shares her passion for unveiling NYC s hidden history.
Although I can be the proverbial, cynical New Yorker, the stories from this tour still play in my mind and I can t help but thirst for more.