The perception of Chinatown in my mind consists of busy street corners filled with foreign smells and tourists that are trying to buy the latest knock off purses. If you look hard enough you can also find little trinkets and such. I understand from class discussions that what I have perceived is not the "real" residential Chinatown and I am excited to see exactly what that is! Before this class I can honestly say I had never heard of Brighton Beach. However, after reading Masha's proposal I had an accurate description of what I perceive is Brighton Beach. Brighton Beach as I picture it, is a similar to Coney Island with a boardwalk with old Russian immigrants sitting on the sides. More than one time in class it was discussed that the locals are not very friendly and that they might sometimes be rude. Thinking of Brighton Beach, I also picture a developing area that is giving way to the richer more successful Russian population that is building new hotels and resorts. I am excited to get a tour of both locations which I don not know too well!