Finding a Dead Guy in New York - Part II?

Harlem, Saturday night, 2:30AM. I am walking the roommates dog and doing my best to walk a straight line being that I had been out watching football and drinking beer for a few hours. As I made my way back towards the apartment from the park I noticed a person laying in the street. I thought for a second that it was a kid, like a teenager or something. I wasn't sure what was going on, but no one around seemed to really be concerned with the fact that this guy was literally laying in the middle of the cross walk. I didn't know if he was shot, stabbed or whatever, all I could tell was that he was not moving. As I got closer I could see that it was a Hispanic guy, probably 24-25 years old. He was knocked out, I mean dead to the world.

Another guy walking past said that he had kicked him and the guy wouldn't move. We decided to pull him out of the street. I mean he was just laying there where he could have been run over by a car or truck or something. We got him to his feet, he was wasted. I don't know if it was booze or if something stronger was at work, but this dude was messed up.

After he almost stumbled into traffic a few times we decided to flag a car. Once we got a car to stop we pushed this dude in the back, much to the driver's dismay, and shut the door. Last I could see or hear, our friend was trying to describe an address in some very drunkin spanish.

Oh The People You'll Meet

Mike -

Tonight, Mike washed my roommates car. I had never met Mike before, but I am pretty sure that my roommate had talked to him a few times. The short end of the story goes that Mike is a guy from the block, tries to earn a few bucks here and there doing things for people. "This is my hustle," as he puts it in while spitting ice chips onto the street.

Mike was paid for washing the car and we were enjoying a drink on the stoop. He told us his story. Explained to us that he had been given 3 lives. His first life nearly ended in 1983, when he got shot, in the chest, 4 blocks from where we sat. He had been a number runner. One night he's walking, some dudes role up and before he realizes it, an encounter takes place, he is shot and laying on the ground. Wound up at the Harlem Hospital. (Specializing in babies and gun shot wounds, no lying). They saved his life.

Life number 2 was almost taken a few years later in upstate New York when, while crossing a street, Mike was hit by a car. He flew through the air, landed on his head and was cut from the top of his head to his jaw. Once again, doctors put him back together, but Mike couldn't remember who he was. After they ran through some names, he remembered. They wanted to take him home. He didn't know where home was. So he got in a cab and drove to the city to see if something jogged his memory. As they drove, he remembered... "I live in Harlem. Yeah, that's it. I live in Harlem."

Crazy story right? He could have been making the whole thing up. Who know's? Point is, I couldn't write something that good. Something would have told me it was too much. That couldn't have all happened to one person. But maybe it did... Maybe it happened to Mike from the block.

Hurry! Get the Camera

Friday night. Walking with my roommate to fetch her misplaced purse from a Mexcian food joint. I had just opened a beer, so whatever, I brought it with. We walked several blocks, topped a hill and then I demanded to sit down on the curb. So there we were, panting, thirsty and in possession of cold beer in a water bottle.

Me:(*drinking)
J: "Let me have a drink of that beer."
Me: "Hold on" (*drinking)

We're there maybe 15 seconds, a man is crossing the street and then loudly he begins laughing and saying:

"Hold on! Let me get my camera! I need a picture of _ this. Two, white people - sittin on the curb - in Harlem - gettin sloshed! It's a beautiful thing. I know Harlem is changed to see something like that."

Then we talked to the guy for a few minutes, drank some more beer and kept walking.

The purse was recovered, intact. I remind myself I am glad that I don't carry a purse.

The Mets Win! ... And Harlem starts on fire!

It's been a busy week or so. At least I think that much time has gone by... it all sorta runs together sometimes. Had friends in town, did a bunch of stuff and spent the first half of this week recovering. I am certainly not the spring chicken anymore, the recovery process is prolonged now. Phew, So much happened - best if I tell it with some pictures.

Saturday noon, on our way to see the Amazin' New York Mets play the Washington Nationals at Shea Stadium in Queens. Everyone else had a ticket, but I found some guy and talked him into $8 for a seat behind home plate. All the other seats were in right field so that is where I sat, I never even went to the seat, but I am sure it was cool,(As I write this, I immediately regret that decision).

The game was perfect though, great day, we were in the shade and the game was exciting to watch. I love spending a day watching a game at the ballpark. I even had 2 hot dogs. Oh, and the Mets won. ______ Umm, sure. I guess it is alright, but you know - I bleed pinstripes and didn't care who won. I just kept wishing that we were on 161st ST in the Bronx.


Saturday night - Got of the train at 135th, thought it was really foggy and then realized that the fog was smoke. As we stood there the fire engines came roaring from all directions. The NYFD in action.


It was impressive how quick they got there, extended a ladder and jumped onto the roof. About the time that I was really starting to wonder if someone was in the apartment, the windows began to shatter. The firemen were chopping out every part of both windows, glass, frame, security bars -- everything. It all fell to the sidewalk from the 3rd story.

The hoses kicked on, more suited firemen kicked in the door on the ground level and went in. We watched a while longer, seemed like no one was home, it was under control. Tell you this ... THAT WOULD SUCK!! Coming home to your apartment, your one sanctuary, and it is all charred. Holiday Inn?

Sunday - The day of the big show. Oh yeah, forgot to mention that. Spent all day Sunday hittin up a concert on Randall's Island. Saw Rage Against the Machine, rocked out! That experience probably deserves a post all its own. To be continued...

My new home, Harlem USA

Haven't taken that many photos yet - I am disgusted with my camera. Anyway here are a few from around Harlem, mostly on 125th Street.

Upper Harlem and West Orange

DAY SIX (Interviewing Trip #2)

Went for an early morning walk with my friends. Checked out upper Harlem, near 163rd St. We walked through an area called Sylvan Terrace - it is a block of row houses built in the 1800's when Dutch settlers first entered the area. We got there just ahead of a huge tour group - phew!


Around the corner we visited Morris Jumel Mansion - the last colonial style mansion left in the city. It sits on top of a big hill looking out over Harlem and the Bronx. Supposedly a woman married to Aaron Burr stayed here for many years and housed guests such as George Washington and many others.





Our brief history lesson left us hungry so we got some breakfast at a greasy spoon called Jimbo's Burger Palace.

Next we checked out Highbridge Park and found a hole in the fence that led to a trail. The area beyond the fence was rocky and full of trees and brush so it was almost like taking a hike in nature somewhere. We found a great view of the Harlem River and sat down to digest and relax.

Plus we could see Yankee Stadium off in the distance. A great site for a Yankees fan like myself.


Later I was to visit a friend staying in West Orange, New Jersey - a place not too far from the city by car, but way the heck out there by mass transit. I started by catching the 2 train from 145th St. and riding the length of Manhattan to Park Place, hopped a PATH train to New Jersey and rode to the last stop at Newark/Penn Station. I then met my friend at the station and rode a bus about 40 minutes. It was a nice break to escape the city for a night, eat a home cooked meal and just simply get away from the pace of everything. Although West Orange is way out there it is really nice, we saw deer and wild turkey, something I did not expect on this trip.

Tomorrow I will head back to the city and see what is going on for Memorial Day.

Expenses:

Lunch $8
Bottled Water $1.25
PATH train $1.50
Magazine $7
Groceries for dinner $10
Bus tickets $5

Total $32.75

Ah Harlem!

DAY TWO (Interviewing trip #2)

Caught the A train at 145th ST, rode to 14th ST and made it to my interview by 9:00. The office where my interview was held was on the 14th floor, great view of the city and perhaps the best views of skyline I have ever seen.

I basically met with a different person every half hour between 9:00 and 1:00. After that I met up with my friend John for a celebratory lunch of Mexican food. After filling my belly I parted with John and made my way back to Harlem.

Later I walked around and took in the sites and sounds of Harlem. The kids playing in the street, cars driving by with tunes carrying out the window, the old men sitting on the corner outside the bodega playing checkers and catcalling any passerby.

I saw Jackie Robinson park, little girls braiding each other's hair and boys wrestling inside an empty city pool. It was great. I really enjoy being able to see this area of the city and find the beauty in it.

We also went to the grocery store and it was the craziest thing I have ever seen. So many people - all trying to get their food and get home for dinner. Plus, as one woman in line told me: "the sale ends today!"

DAY THREE - Bring it on!

Expenses:

Breakfast $3
Lunch $15

TOTAL $18