la ciudad respirando.

When I was younger I used to believe that there was one special person for me (hell, I even thought I knew who he was). I also used to believe in fate. I’m a bit jaded these days; I’m not the type that believes in soul mates or fate anymore. However, I’ve recently discovered that I do believe I have a soul mate, but not the kind you’d think.

After six years in New York, it’s due time we made it official. Now, I haven’t been to that many places in the world but I don’t think I need to have traveled the globe to recognize that this city will always be my lifeline, my main source of inspiration and energy.

I remember the night I realized that NYC is where I belong. In November I made a trip back to my hometown and went out to a local club. As the DJ played Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind”, every person in the room (in suburban Pennsylvania) was singing along. I immediately felt this surreal, overwhelming sense of pride and love for my city. Everyone was singing this song about my city. Most of them have never been to the places mentioned in the song and will never walk the cracked sidewalks of BedStuy or pass by the high-rise condos in Tribecca.

I live in a pretty rough neighborhood in Brooklyn and I honestly wouldn’t trade it for the world. I love the crazy things I see on a daily basis; people struggling to survive. My life is the absolute opposite of “sheltered” and I thank New York for a large part of that.

I felt sad that the people singing along had no idea how relevant the words are. They couldn’t possibly fathom the feeling I had at that moment unless they walk the streets of my city every day and feel the energy I feel.

“Escuchela, la ciudad respirando.” I breathe better when I’m home.

 Myrtle Ave + Bushwick Ave, Under the M train.