I took a Via to work and there were two other passengers in the car. Immediately, they started chatting -- in Hebrew! During our cross-town trip, I stayed quiet and the two exchanged their entire family histories: I learned where they grew up, what they do, and all about their families in Israel. And eventually they exchanged numbers! Right as I left the car, I turned to them and in Hebrew said, "Who knew Via could be a matchmaker?!" Only in New York!
Born in the Bronx, some people say no thanxs(near the Grand Concourse-an urban dwellers dream) and always lived in the Bronx until very recently(now in Westchester). It was necessary as a youngster to learn how to play Stickball. What was great about the Bronx was the ease of getting into Manhattan and Westchester. I really believe there is no place like Manhattan for so many events. Fortunate to attend well regarded public education institutions-Bronx High School of Science and State University of New York at Stony Brook. Downside of living in the Bronx was the necessity to move as neighborhoods declined.
I love when I take the Q train to Brooklyn and I see the men ( shomer shabbat), pull their siddur out and do their prayers in the train, it is very inspiring to the point that I get off at Avenue B go to the nearest Jewish deli and order bagel with lox, mmm Jewlicious!!!!!