A Day in the Life NYC
By Karen Bernal
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Welcome to New York.
Okay so how many times have you heard that? Well I really mean that. Or do I? I am from New York after all.. Right, some background on what this is all about. I'm in the process of giving you an undated view on how it really is living, loving and just existing in NYC these days. The following posts will be on a random set of experiences on a day to day topics that strike my curiosity and fancy. Be it Online dating pitfalls and observations in that land mine, getting around on the subway with the increasing amount of mad (by mad I mean insane) people who have been set lose from city hospitals due to budget cuts, to just the random NYC characters walking our streets. I hope you enjoy the ride. Though by no means do I consider New York to be the best city in the world, but it is my home and my true love. Begin the beginning.. I live in a neighborhood called Washington Heights. For all of those who don't know Manhattan, it is way Uptown, but yes still in Manhattan. One of the last bastions of affordable real-estate on the Island. I was born and raised here and have seen the ups and downs along with the rest of the city. Once known as a largely Jewish neighborhood, it became a mecca to Cuban refugees in the 1960 fleeing Communism and then to every Spanish speaking country in the Caribbean and suffered a decline in cache but never it's heart. Right now, it is really on the Ups again. There is a saying here that loosely goes, if musicians start moving into your hood, get ready, it's going to be the next "It" place to be. Needless to say, I've been clipped by my share of violin, guitar and cello cases lately getting off the subway of late. People no longer fear the "hood" and are willing to move in and make the Heights their home. I had a cousin visit recently and tell me,"Oh my I just saw a White family walk calmly to their Mini Van. This neighborhood has changed!" It's good to see people moving in because with them come jazz bars, Japanese restaurants and Starbucks, even if it does send rent prices up. Oh dear, did I just give Starbucks a thumbs up? More to come, stay tuned.... |
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