Blog : Spanish Harlem

In the middle of the day, I get off the 6 train at 116th street to a baby crying in a stroller and the lock and key sounds of the turn style from passengers leaving and going in the rush hour fashion. As I reach too the opening of the streets I am introduced to several shouting in spanish and the buses driving away. The aura around me is hectic and all I hear is the movement of cars, people, music, and distant construction working in the far background. This texture of movement is very lively, which relates to the spanish culture of this neighborhood filled with Puerto Ricans and Dominicans. Theres a rhythm that echos in a 1-2-1 step bachata between the engines of the buses and the people talking. As I keep walking children scream as they come out of school and their fast footsteps combining with the casual pace of the middle aged grandmas and adults going to the Cuchifrito sounds like fast tempo beat. This neighborhood brings a latin feel to me as I walk around, and I not only feel the lively spanish beats but also the old Harlem classic tempo of families of generations, combinations of latin and black soul cultures, and the very interactive and busy lifestyle of the small businesses and the struggling lifestyle of this neighborhood. Also with all this actual movement, passing by restaurants with salsa and merengue music playing just adds more flare to the latin feel. You would not believe just 6 stops away on a train this much hispanic culture is so near by Hunter College.