Building America – All The Way From The Bronx!



















What else do you do in the high heat of a muggy New York summer but . . . take a walk around Hunts Point in the Bronx.
Hunts Point is now home to the Produce Market and the Fish Market which moved there from Fulton St in downtown NYC years
ago. It also seems to be the epicentre of NYC's recycling universe, from earthworks at building sites, to bottles and
cans, and anything to do with a broken down car now that Willets Point in Queens is being fazed out to make way for a
monster mall.
It also happens to be a neighbourhood where squatters come and go and where others have lived their whole lives. After
walking, walking, taking shots here and there - no-one said no, most happy enough to volunteer without being asked, I
had the absolute pleasure of meeting P. and M. sitting on M's front steps, catching the cool of the shade in the heat
of the day.
"You be careful walking around here." warned P. Where are the worst parts? I asked. "Here!" she told me. OK!
Before I knew it, M. who has lived here her whole life, was ordering me into her car so she could take me to a park
on the river where people have wedding parties and oh, where young kids are taught to build boats and row them on
the river. "You take pictures there. I drop you off, take them (passengers in the back seat, hello! hello!)where they
need to go and I pick you up. Ten minutes."
Five minutes later and a quick meeting with someone from Rocking the Boat it was back in the car and a driving tour of
schools, care homes, homeless shelters, convent, park, street art centre, Spanish restaurant. Too busy talking, too
busy listening. So many reasons to go back and enjoy more of Hunts Point.
Thank you P. and thank you so much M.
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What a great story. I love that M just took you under her wing, made sure you got your photos safe and sound. Wonderful portraits, as always.
Thank you Pierr, such a treat to meet M at the end of the day and discover more!
A great journey , in photos and in words. Thank you Patti and say hello to M from Australia. That rooster looks rather pensively, don’t you think?
Thank you Gerard, will pass on your regards when next that way. That rooster barely registered my presence, thankfully!
I’m so glad you told the story at the end. I was wondering about all those people, happily smiling for you. What a neat experience, Patti
That tends to happen when I walk around in the middle of nowhere Laurie, people are happy to have their photos taken!!!
(I’d run a mile!)
I love these images! A wonderful story and a great experience, Patti. Thank you!
You are so kind, thank you Anette!
That is some day you had there, Patti! !
Always fun exploring, thank you Pat. IPA waiting!
Fabulous study of this space…
Thank you Gill!
Thanks for the tour! Photos!
Any time, thank you Bumba!
What an adventure.
Without an airline ticket!
Great post Patti……love the photographs……love the info……..excellent!
Thank you so much Burgess!
Great series, touching and humanist!
That’s so sweet of you to say, thank you Indah!
Bronx is a mythical ward whose name is known worldwide not for the good reason and mostly stereotyped by Hollywood. I think your set of photos here give a different and much nicer view of this piece of American land
Thank you Nelson, it’s certainly much better now than it was not only in the Bronx but many other parts of NYC. But . . . pays to be careful anywhere!
Wonderful post and images Patti 🙂 I have to tell you that someone inviting you into their car – it can only happen to you 🙂
I’m very easily led, thank you Joe!
What a great day and what a nice experience! I love the way how you met people and you stumbled in all of this stories. Great story and photos. !!! MOOOAARR, Patti… …more of this !!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
And always so great to have your company Markus, big thank you!
..so great that you are out there! You have a lot to give with your photos.. ..and your comments! Thanks for sharing. 😉 Have a nice day!
And thank you as always for your great conversation Markus, wishing you peace and relaxation in that cos dacha of yours. What a place!
Thank you Patti, that makes me happy!!! You are always welcome at our places in Germany and Russia. We love to have guests! If you wanna go for a nice trip… ..always welcome, Patti, honestly! 🙂
ohh thats awesome!!!!! and i hope you are careful, the next time you go back.. cuz i know you will go back!!!:) fantastic captures, always great finds in the “inner” city:)
What a lovely series of photos, and a great story Patti! How nice of M to show you around in the area. 🙂
Bonito reportaje, gracias por contarnos esta hermosa (y humana) historia del Bronx.
Saludos
Perfect sojourn Patti- can’t wait for the next. What a treat to meet these ladies-
Fantastic! So often I feel like I’ve been on a little adventure after looking at your sequences. P and M look great.
In 2002, my wife got into the van of a complete stranger in Huston, TX. Fortunately, she wasn’t harmed either. They’re dropped her of at the Galleria Mall in the downtown core – miles away from the Inn we stayed at near Ronald Reagan Airport. When I met up with her later that day, I was stunned that she took that risk.
I like that rooster strutting down the street.
your images are very raw and real… and the story to go with them – very touching…
Thank you so much everyone for kind comments!
That veteran car is beautiful, but the rooster was a big surprise! 😀
The serendipity that photographing people brings… what a great outcome and evidence how caring people can be. Love the portrait of P and M on the steps. Reminds me of Eggleston. Nice work.
Wow, Patti, what a wonderful experience. It speaks to your openness and approachability. I love the variety here, and the way it happened – well, its a bit of New York magic, isn’t it?
Such an interesting neighbourhood.
Thank you so much Lignum, so much to explore. If you like that sort of thing!
wonderful series…feels like i’m walking with you Patti 😀
Thank you Hedy, I want to go to Alberta and walk in your great shots!
You’re always welcome here Patti ☺️
An excellent outing with fine, vibrant, steeped in life images!
So lovely to have you on the outing, thank you Elena!
Fascinating sequence & background information.