Up In The Hood

Trip Start Jun 01, 2005
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Trip End Jun 25, 2005


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Flag of United States  , New York,
Tuesday, June 7, 2005

I am the luckiest girl in the World! When I tell you this, you're going to think I am the stupidest girl in the world. I mean if I told my parents, they would probably freak! Anyways, so as my last day of freedom in Manhattan, I headed to the Museum Mile Festival, which was loads of fun because all the museums were free, but not so fun because they were packed with people. I didn't finish until around 8 pm and I wanted to go on my as bus ride over a bridge, maybe to Brooklyn, Queens...well, on the map I saw this island called Randall's Island, and there is a bus that runs right through it. The stop for it was up in East Harlem though, but I figured I've been there before, its safe enough and the sun has not gone down yet. So there I went, pass Barrio, into Harlem, down 125th street (the lifeline of Harlem) where everyone stared at me and onto the M35, which...was only filled with black people. I figured this wasn't strange because I'm in Harlem. Well, we crossed the Tribourough bridge and I was satisfied by the view, its awesome to see the signs in the Bronx 22 - Feet at Rockefella Center
22 - Feet at Rockefella Center
 . Anyways, once we hit the island I saw the sign for the Psychiatric Center, and alarms started going off in my head. This island has nothing but forest, the Psychiatric building, a Community Center and Residence for troubled young blacks. I was freaking out a bit, thinking its okay, no one will get on the bus (because all the people had already gotten off) well, unlucky me, 3 guys got on. They seemed to have just come from a basketball game, and they knew immediately that I was out of place. It was kinda funny to see the looks that they had given each other, like "what the fuck is she doing?" I tried to look as calm as possible and made it seem like I knew exactly where I was going. Then one came over and asked if I worked at the community center, and I was contemplating between lying and telling the truth, I can't lie, so there I go "I'm just taking ride to see the island"....but then they all came over and we started talking and next thing you know, here I am sitting on a bus in Harlem with Martin, Jacob and Jamaal. It was quite interesting to hear about their lives. They live on the Resident at Randall's Island and are just trying to get back on track. Well, we exchanged numbers and they walked me to the subway station. And here I am all safe and sound at home, with new friends from the Hood. I'm telling you, I'm I have luck coming out of my ass.
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