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Girl Gone Travel

North America, Travel
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May 11, 2016

A Walk through Dreams: The Ellis Island Hard Hat Tour

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From 1892 to 1954, Ellis Island processed about 12 million immigrants before it could be decided that they would be allowed to begin their lives in this country. The Ellis Island Immigrant Hospital, the United States’ first public health hospital, opened its doors in 1902. It is here where immigrants who were deemed too unhealthy to enter the country would stay. The treatment for various ailments, some far too gruesome for today’s standards, would either result in success, at which point immigrants would be released to enter the country, or failure, at which point they would be sent back.

It is difficult to imagine the fear and stress many of these newcomers experienced through the overall immigration process, especially for many who did not speak the language or had ever even seen a doctor before. Imagine the intimidation of being poked at, examined, or even questioned by men in lab coats, separated from your family, from your parents, being spoken to in ways you could not understand, all the while knowing that your dreams where just one more boat ride away.

Hard Hat Tour, Ellis Island - GirlGoneTravel.com

These are only some of the stories that took place within the walls of the Ellis Island Immigration Hospital, a 29 building complex on the South side of the island, which have remained closed to the public, until now.

Hard Hat Tour, Ellis Island - GirlGoneTravel.com Hard Hat Tour, Ellis Island - GirlGoneTravel.com

I was invited to spend a day touring with NewYorkTour1. Their Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island + Hard Hat tour gave me access to the Ms. Liberty, as well as Ellis Island, and this newly opened section of the island. Hard hats are required to walk through the hospital as much of it is still in need of restoration.

Hard Hat Tour, Ellis Island - GirlGoneTravel.com Hard Hat Tour, Ellis Island - GirlGoneTravel.com Hard Hat Tour, Ellis Island - GirlGoneTravel.com Hard Hat Tour, Ellis Island - GirlGoneTravel.com

In addition to the feel of walking back in time, through the sunlit halls and paint chipped wall-covered rooms, photographic images of real immigrants that once walked through here are displayed throughout as part of an art exhibit titled “Unframed – Ellis Island” by renowned French artist JR, which beautifully captures the American immigration experience of the 1880s through 1920s. I first got a glimpse of the exhibit while on a flight to Europe, in JR’s short film featuring Robert DeNiro. So worth watching.

At first visit, you don’t know when to expect to see these images, reflections of the faces of struggle, sadness, fear, and hope. They take you aback, sometimes startle you, more often make you feel a sense of sadness.

Hard Hat Tour, Ellis Island - GirlGoneTravel.com

Hard Hat Tour, Ellis Island - GirlGoneTravel.com

Hard Hat Tour, Ellis Island - GirlGoneTravel.com Hard Hat Tour, Ellis Island - GirlGoneTravel.com Hard Hat Tour, Ellis Island - GirlGoneTravel.com

These images, along with the silhouette of the statue in the distance, set the stage for a deeper understanding, knowledge, and compassion of what so many immigrants, many of them low-income, who would help to further build this great nation, had to endure, and yet, did so for the prospect of a better life. It felt at times as if I was walking through hallways of dreams as I listened to our guide share the stories, including that of his own mother, who stayed here.Hard Hat Tour, Ellis Island - GirlGoneTravel.com Hard Hat Tour, Ellis Island - GirlGoneTravel.com

Hard Hat Tour, Ellis Island - GirlGoneTravel.com Hard Hat Tour, Ellis Island - GirlGoneTravel.com

I can not wrap my mind around what that must have been like for these families. By the time my family immigrated to the United States in the 60s, Ellis Island and its hospital were closed. I can’t imagine what our destiny would have been had they had to endure what so many other immigrants before them did. There are no records of who they are, though because so many of the patients here were children, some are still alive to share their stories.

What we know is that some made it through, others did not. This tour aims to preserve and honor the memory of all of those who tried.

Hard Hat Tour, Ellis Island - GirlGoneTravel.com

Thank you to NewYorkTour1 for the opportunity to experience this with them. You can book this entire tour by visiting their website here. Save Ellis Island is opening some of the hospital doors – those deemed safe enough to do so – to provide visitors with access to the halls, rooms, exam areas, and more, while sharing stories, history, and facts about this historic site. Its mission is to raise funds through education and awareness that will help to preserve this iconic location. A portion of the funds for the Hard Hat Tour go towards these efforts.

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Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

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Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons and 2 puppies. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

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If you are a foodie traveler, Madison, WI is a des If you are a foodie traveler, Madison, WI is a destination for you. This list of good eats were all within close proximity to each other and spots we made time for during our short weekend visit. So definitely note that this doesn’t even begin to cover the tip of the iceberg, but makes a good starter list!

📍@ShortStackEats in the heart of Downtown Madison is clearly a UW favorite. Loved their pancakes! We thought it was a pricey for breakfast, and only offered drip coffee, but the scene was fun, food was good, and service was friendly.
📍@SardineMadison is a waterfront French bistro that has stood the test of time (we’ve been coming here since we lived in Madison!). It can feel very corporate some nights, but their Happy Hour and brunch are definite highlights and it’s a really nice dining experience overall.
📍@EatattheAudrey impressed us! It’s not your usual “hotel restaurant” and I would say it easily stands alone as an eatery worth checking out in Madison. Great breakfast options, cozy vibes, nice bar, and good service!
📍@RamenStation1124 good, affordable ramen.
📍BlindShotSocialClub We really loved this spot for brunch (sorry, was enjoying the company and totally spaced out on capturing food images!). Golf fans will love hitting the putt here (you can reserve a private room too), and what I though was most cool was the delicious and wide selection of non-alcoholic cocktails to choose from. This place is a total vibe!
📍@StringsRamen is a chain, but I have to say it is some of the best ramen I have had in a long time. I especially loved how you can choose your ramen but heat level but also by Japanese region which allowed us to taste a couple of new flavors!
📍@Parthenongyros has been around awhile (hubby recalls coming here during his college years!) and was voted #1 take out in Madison! Though we indulged inside and away from the snow. A delicious, quick bite when strolling around State Street.

And again, this is just a starter list. There is so much more to eat and enjoy in this top foodie city! What other spots would you add to this list?

#madisonwi #foodiegram #foodiedestinations #goodeats @destinationmadison
I love to travel. It has always been important to I love to travel. It has always been important to my family. My parents got my first passport weeks after I was born. They couldn’t afford to travel like I do now, but they understood, as immigrants, the absolute privilege that comes attached to having that shiny blue American booklet and they wanted me to have it.

I was yet again reminded of my privilege when my travel back home on this last trip was delayed over 24 hours. I have a village in place to make sure my kids were ok. Having my own business meant I didn’t have to report in to anyone, and was still able to work remotely so none of my clients were inconvenienced by it. Though the airline covered our hotel and food, we never worried that we couldn’t do it ourselves otherwise. While we were annoyed, we weren’t stressed.

So while I love to travel, and I love sharing my travels with you, I acknowledge that being able to do so, and dealing with the consistent travel disruptions so prevalent today without worries is a privilege…one that started with a little blue booklet that gives me more access to the world than some others do.

And I want us all in this travel space to be reminded of this. Of how lucky we are. Of our privilege to access and time and money.

So let us travel with grace and awareness. Let us remain rooted in reality and perspective. Acknowledging that our escapism isn’t one so easily accessible to others. Understanding that this is also why local stories have as much value as those to exclusive destinations, if not more. And, never forgetting, especially in the travel influencer and media space, that were it not for hosted campaigns and paid-for travel opportunities, most of us wouldn’t be able to afford the lifestyle we so beautifully curate online.

It doesn’t matter how often you travel, or how far. Just that hopefully you will be able to gift yourself the experience of doing so and experiencing something new.

#travel #travelmedia #travelinfluencer #wheretonext
As I work on compiling all the good eats I experie As I work on compiling all the good eats I experienced in Madison, WI, I have to ask: what is your favorite meal of the day, and where did you experience a highlight of the same?

I am a huge fan of breakfast. This beauty was a blueberry pancake order from @shortstackeats. Pancakes are not a big thing for me, but these were pretty perfect. I am craving them still. 🥞♥️

#madisonwi #goodeats #travelingfoodie @destinationmadison
We got back on a plane! Here are scenes from a qui We got back on a plane! Here are scenes from a quick trip to Madison, WI - my first time back in 14 years! Though we were here for family matters, we did take a moment to explore a bit of what used to be a place we called home.

We couldn’t do anything else until we drove around Lake Monona, where we once had a home, and took in the wintery views (there is an epic 13.2-mile trail that loops around the lake that is worth exploring if you visit!). Though our time was limited, we were able to enjoy some of it along State Street exploring the shops, eateries, the FREE @mmocamadison, and the beautiful architecture of the WI State Capitol Building (the Dane County Farmers Market will soon pick up again - Saturdays, April 15 thru November 11, 2023 around the Capitol Building and it is one of the best farmers markets anywhere!). 

We booked a room at the @hiltonmadison Monona Terrace to be within walking distance of all the downtown fun (tip: for a room with a lake view make sure to book at the upper levels above 10th floor for an unobstructed view of Lake Monona). 

Madison, WI is a skip and a hop from the Finger Lakes so this short and sweet visit didn’t feel difficult at all. And we absolutely loved the winter scenery and seeing what has changed (a lot) since we lived here.

Stay tuned for my list of where we ate!

Have you ever been to Madison, WI?

#madisonwi #weekendgetaway #wisconsin @destinationmadison
The joy of that first sip of the day. #randommom The joy of that first sip of the day. 

#randommomentsarethebest
I think my husband enjoys it, but still can’t be I think my husband enjoys it, but still can’t believe how easily I’ve been waking up in the early mornings since our last trip. Not sure how to shake it, or if it’s temporary, but here it is: the rare sighting of me up and moving early in the day. Am I a morning person now? Has travel ever permanently changed any of your habits?

#morningperson #lifeinthecountry #newme <-😂

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