Harlem

I shall relate some of the happenings in Harlem. Before that, I shall give a short intro about Harlem.

Harlem is a neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City, long known as a major black cultural and business center. After being associated for much of the twentieth century with black culture, but also crime and poverty, it is now experiencing something of a social and economic renaissance.

I touched down at Newark airport at around 5:50 pm on the 25th August. Being adventurous, I have decided to take the air train to New York City instead of hopping on the yellow cab. Bloody, the train trip cost me USD15. I arrived at Penn station at round 7pm. and decided to hop on a cab to Harlem. I was pretty worried cos Chox told me that some cabs do not want to drive up to Harlem. I managed to hop on a cab though and the traffic was crap. Jams here and there. Arrived at Harlem YMCA at round 9 pm. That taxi fare cost me USD17. Alright, now I get a taste of the cost of living in NY. I step down of the cab and got a few stares here and there. The cabbie told me good luck, and I wonder is there any significance to it.

Episode 1
Next morning, 26th August 2006, feeling hungry. Decided to go out and grab some bite. It was round 8 am. Wash up and off brave Mr. Tan goes. He moved around the 135th street constantly on alert. Then, this guy came up to him and said,” Yo! You have 50 cents?” I wanna give it to him, but I figured that if I give it to him, he might ask for more and god knows what will happen. So I pointed to my ear and mouth, shake my little Chinese head and look retard. I continue walking and went into the next café I can see. He followed me and stood outside the café. I was like, damn it… Then I figured that if do not dare to come in, I will just take my own sweet time to have my breakfast. See who can tahan more. 2 hours later, he was no longer there and the streets look busier. I peer through the opening and ensure that he is not around in the vicinity and back to the YMCA. Haha, Mr. Tan here has triumphed in episode 1.

Episode 2
Feeling more confident, I have decided to venture out to 125th street. I walk ten streets down and what a great choice I have made to go there. It was bustling. I was pretty hesitant about taking out the camera but I have decided to take the risk. Took shots of the famous Apollo theatre and some architecture. Feeling hungry at round 4:30 pm. Went past this Chinese takeaway restaurant. Ordered this broccoli beef, roasted pork fried rice. Some couple came to talk to me. Then the lady,” nice camera, you want me to take a picture for you?” I was deliberating cos what if they take the camera and run off. I will be letting Ling down cos that’s her camera. Not willing to take the risk, I decline. I pondered that if they decided to get nasty, I will show them my “Chinese Kung Fu”. I noticed that they have lotsa Bruce Lee Dvds around. Haa, I will probably frighten them off with my Wushu. Alright, they are pretty ok with it, chat abit more and I left.

Episode 3
Finally, its 27th August 2006. Time to leave Harlem and check into my apartment at lower Manhatten. Wanna flag a cab but strangely no cabs, Bloody hell, I hate telling the whole Harlem that I am a tourist with my luggage on. A couple of cars stop by and offered to give lift. Unsure of the situation, I declined. One of them was pretty insistent. I told him,” Hey no problem man, I have called my friend and he is coming to pick me up,” He back off and went off.

Maybe I am just overly suspicious, but I have decided that hey, better to be safe than sorry. A cab finally came and that concludes TZH lone venture in Harlem. Tune in next time for other TZH adventures.

Above all, Harlem is still a place rich in culture. I would probably go up there again and experience their famed "Soul Food". Its a place where there is plenty of music and its always bustling with activities. This is especially so in the 125th street.

Interesting Facts:
1) The African American couple I met in episode 2 complimented my English. I told them I was from Singapore and have been here for couple of months already (Another lie, my nose is getting longer by the day). There were shocked to know that we speak pretty decent English back in Singapore. Did I just did Singapore proud there? haa
2) NYPD’s job is pretty tough. You will hear the police siren going off every 2 hours at night. Damn noisy and irritating.