Eleven things only if you grew up in El Barrio, you would know.
1)Walking on the FDR to get to Randall's.
A lot of summer days and night, families would pack up and get to Randall's Island for their annual bbq, soccer games and concerts. If you weren't driving then walking over that huge long bridge was often the way to go.
The biggest fear was coming back late and the bridge was already lifted...
2) "Let me get a Bacon, Egg, and Cheese on a Roll"
This is and forever will be the way to go. Often time this sandwich is demanded in one breath making it a completely made up word. There is just something about the bread here in NYC that you can't taste it anywhere else. Whether you drink it with an Arizona, Snapple, or Nesquick Strawberry Milk, this was savior. Especially when you were running late to school.. might as well grab this 4 dollar feast.
3)The Bodega is Everything you need.![]()
I can't tell you how many times the Bodega has saved me and my family for cooking fails. When we forget the eggs... Bodgea. When we need gravy and toilet paper....Bodega. When we need pampers for on the go and the bacon, egg, and cheese.. Bodega.
4) Those watch Towers sorta just APPEAR.
I swear on everything, I am a VERY observant person... but I would walk a block be back five minutes later and this whole set up is there. Then you never see it being taken it down. they just dissipate in thin air.
5)You hate the 125th train station.
No matter the season it will always be hot, gross and smelly on this station. Once 3PM hits and all the high school kids from the neighborhood are trying to get home, the amount of traffic can get so crazy, you're trying you best not to fall over the yellow line...Darn Kids.
6) The Lexington Ave hill.
This picture does not do the justice on how steep this hill actually is. For some reason, no matter how much you have worked out, this hill will get you tired out like it's no one's business. Then I see little old people pushing carts of groceries and I'm in awe about their workout strength.
7) You have definitely seen the little rooster bicycle man at least once.
I have never personally met him but since I was a little girl I have always seen his bike being chained up to a pole somewhere on 106 street, or I'll see this man blasting his radio while he's cruising along... Go, El Gallo, Go!
Read up on him here on DNAInfo!
8)Everyone takes the 6.
The 6 train is practically the life-line for El Barrio. We use the 6 to connect to everything; from trains to the Bronx or to downtown to connect for Brooklyn, or just going to 86 to do a little shopping. The 6 train is always going to be my favorite.
9)116 is Little Mexico.
When you hit 116 street Mexican restaurants and venues start dominating the sidewalks; and its pretty amazing. Every summer there is a festival that takes over 116 street completely and there is nothing but Latin Music for hours.
10) Cultural Graffiti.
The buildings in El Barrio are often lined with politically and culturally influenced Graffiti from Artists like Ever and Eliza Escobar. These art murals are often in the most hidden places where you normal wouldn't think of... Which kinda of makes it safe to say in El Barrio there really is beauty every where.
Read more on street artists in El Barrio here!
11) Only you will know the true value of El Barrio.
When I went away to college, someone will always, ALWAYS, automatically think of Times Square and Grand Central, but when I tell I'm from El Barrio, they don't understand that amount of culture, experience, and love behind those words. Yes, Commercial NYC is nice... but I think my NYC is a little better ;)
