Dancing in Spanish Harlem

Posted on by beautybeyondbones

So yesterday was my birthday 🙂

And I’ll tell you what…if there’s one thing I took away from the day, aside from how special friends and loved ones are, it’s how infinitely beautiful and diverse the culture is in NYC.

Indulge me for a moment.

Yesterday was one of those days that literally goes on forever. I kid you not, I think I saw just about every walk of life in one afternoon.

My friend and I went to The Cloisters – which is a monastery-turned MET art gallery way up in Washington Heights, where we heard probably 5 different languages from the myriad of European tourists taking in our *culture.*

The rest of the day consisted of a walk through The Bronx, getting lost in Spanish Harlem, happy hour at a Puerto Rican bar in Harlem, dinner at an uppity/cross-fit/health nut/vegan place downtown in Greenwich Village, drinks at a sports bar in midtown, and finally, a nightcap with a celebrity chef we randomly met from Spain at a speakeasy in the Financial District.

So. Much. Culture.

It’s safe to say that by the end of the day…my feet hurt.

But there was one moment yesterday that really stood out to me.

It happened when my friend and I were strolling through the Bronx. And for a girl who rarely goes above 14th Street in the Village, being up in 160’s/170’s was a far cry from home.

But one fun fact about me, is that during the first couple years that I lived in the city, I was the lead singer of a latin cover band.

Now I know what you’re thinking: “But…you’re not…”

I KNOW, people.

However, I have seven years of spanish under my belt, and I have an uncanny ear for accents. (Maybe it was all the practice I had as a kid doing weird accents around the house.)

But I digress.

Anywho – as a result of this little musical endeavor, I know all of the latin hits.

So walking through the Bronx yesterday, past all the open air hooka bars with sidewalk seating, blasting the latest latin hits; or the Barber shops and Beauty Parlors where there were groups of ladies or gentlemen congregated outside around a boom box, my ears were having a nostalgic field day.

And as we were walking by one of those barber shops, my all time favorite song came on, called Carnival.

I started singing it to myself, and did a little dance/walk/shoulder thing because…I am *that* cool.

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And all of a sudden, this little old man, all of about 5’4″, comes over and starts dancing with me to this Latin hit, surprised that I knew the words. And he was smiling this big, toothy grin -albeit missing several teeth. But we just had this beautiful moment of joy, dancing to the same music. We didn’t speak the same language, but we did speak music. We did speak joy.

That connection was just so genuine and pure.

Riding the subway back down the 150 blocks or so — for 45 minutes — I couldn’t help but think about that frail, little old man.

And I know this sounds cheesy, but I kept thinking about God in him.

I hate to admit it, but from the outside, this man was not someone I would have typically sought out to interact with. I mean, his clothes were worn and dirty, I don’t think he had showered in a couple days. And I mean…I’m big on dental hygiene. But dancing with him – even for just that 8 second chorus – there was such a beautiful light that radiated from him.

That was God inside of him. That was the inherent worth and value and beauty that all of us possess, simply for being made in His image, reflecting His light.

But how many times have I missed opportunities like that, simply because I’ve been deterred by the outside packaging?

Sure, maybe not a spontaneous dance sequence that legit looked like it could have come out of a scene of some Spanish-version of Grease. But what kinds of meaningful connections have I passed by, simply because I was too focused on the outside, or too wrapped up in myself, or my iPhone?

God is all around us. Within us. Sometimes you just have to look past the rough exterior.

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beautybeyondbones

BBB: Because we're all recovering from something. // For speaking/business inquiries: beautybeyondbones@yahoo.com

429 thoughts on “Dancing in Spanish Harlem”

  6. Happy birthday!!!! 🥂🎉🎈

    And, as always, what a beautiful post you’ve shared!! For a minute there it actually felt as if I was walking the streets with you! Sounds like your birthday was phenomenal. Also, I agree with you that the little old man who danced with you had God in him. Amazing. Thanks for sharing!! ❤️❤️

    Liked by 2 people

      1. That’s good to know, to be able to express yourself like that is amazing and something that should be used. Always a pleasure to stop by 🙂
        Love and hugs back xox

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      2. aw thanks. Yeah, it’s actually my favorite way to pray too. I turn on worship music, and just sing my heart out — so long as no one is listening! haha 🙂 Hugs and love xox

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  10. I seldom comment, but I do enjoy your blog. Really appreciate your insights and your honesty. Happy Birthday and may you have many more happy ones. I’m certain I have missed many “God moments” because I was too wrapped up in my own inner world and some times too fearful of letting go and following His lead.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Oh my gosh thank you so much 🙂 That seriously means a lot to me that you would take the time to read my words. I can definitely relate to that fear of letting go. luckily He will never let us fall! 🙂 thanks again! Hugs and love xox

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  11. What a blessing to have a birthday full of joy :):):) It’s a blessing for me because you answered a question, I asked on my blog, this weekend. It’s not like it’s long, you know me I post Bible verses. 🙂 The whole blog was a one sentence question, lol, and you answered it 😉 I don’t see that as a coincidence. It was joyous to read your answer. God used you to give me a hug :):) He just keeps on giving to us 🙂

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      1. Of course always stopping by, wouldn’t miss it 🙂 This was so warming because I don’t know how to word it like you did in your blog…hahaha…All I could come up with is, “do you look for God in every person you see?” LOL :):)It’s wonderful as always 🙂 God bless you 🙂 hugs and love xoxo

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  20. Happy Birthday, JD!

    “But how many times have I missed opportunities like that, simply because I’ve been deterred by the outside packaging?” We can all probably ask that same question of ourselves and discover that the answer is, “Too many times.”

    Liked by 1 person

  22. You talked about tequila shots on my birthday in your last post. Now you’ve sung? That’s pretty cool. I’ve walked from Grand Central to Central Park to Battery Park one night. We, couldn’t figure out the…tube. Then, we napped on park benches until morning in Battery. I, wouldn’t suggest it now. Happy Birthday. It’s good to shake it on your birthday. I heard. I don’t shake, well.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. I was, on the Mexican border once. There was an all party and everyone wanted to dance with this girl. She grabbed my hand and didn’t let go until morning. I never saw her again. Maybe dancing, the touch, the movement, puts you some place. Like you said, with God in that old man. I try to avoid it, no one is charmed by old men. 😀

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      3. In 1927 Paul Valery wrote, ” Poetry, like dancing, is action without end.” Maybe, just maybe, your way with words is an extension of dance or vice versa. We do learn to walk and dance before we write.

        We danced that one night and agreed if we were not married by 29 we’d marry. Seemed sensible. She’s been married and divorced twice. Life. Does not give us, much happiness. It is, it must be found. I’m glad you found it while exploring.

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      5. Read Hemingway’s “A Movable Feast.” Now, I have a few hours left before I get to get up and box vegetables. The California vegetables always look like waxed fruit. To me. Too perfect.

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      9. You see what Pastor Robert Jeffress said in the Washington Post. Ugh. Bible is a kaleidoscope of consciousness but I don’t believe in people that use it to purge others from Earth. That’s what happened to my people.

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      11. I don’t know. Everyone wants to be right about the end of the world. It’s kind of sick because it’s the end of us.

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  24. It was the worse rendition of “Amazing Grace” I had ever heard. I thought, oh God, how embarrassing! Then God whispered, I don’t hear the voice. I hear the heart. That is when I learned this valuable lesson. Happy Birthday! Don’t think of me being late in wishing you a Happy Birthday. Think of me being the first one to say it for your next birthday!

    Liked by 1 person

  33. Birthday blessings, pastor! Wonderful writing about a wonderful day! By the end of the day, no wonder your feet hurt! You have little feet for all that walking! Bueno birthdayo ! You are the best!!!

    Liked by 1 person

  35. Happy Birthday! Sounds like an amazing time.

    I was a New Yorker for the last two and a half weeks of Bryon’s life. He was at NYP/Columbia so I could visualize when you said “Washington Heights.” Fascinating city but I am not sure when or if I can return.

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  37. two thoughts..first Happy birthday! Oh to be twenty one again…secondly, quick story…in 2013 we came to the Big Apple the week before Christmas…we were strolling through Washington Square park and met Larry the Squirrel man and Paul, aka the bird man. We didn’t dance 🙂 but there was an instant connection between Larry and I… It was definitely a divine appointment. Here’s a short clip of Paul https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTJcLs7x-aM Later! DM

    Liked by 1 person

  40. Wow, I’d love to have a birthday like that. And that old man must have been really cool. I love it when I meet someone and instantly we have this uncanny connection that would not have been obvious at first glance. I think maybe we come across someone and something happens that we both respond to and suddenly we are on the same wavelength, and it is beautiful. I imagine heaven will be like that. We’ll meet people we missed connections with on earth, the salsa music will play, and we will dance – or some equivalent. And it will be like we knew each other all our lives.

    Liked by 2 people

    2. This is random, but wow, this was a beautiful comment. “And it will be like we knew each other all our lives.” I want to cry! I can’t wait for the Joy of Heaven– when all pain will be done with, and we’ll all eat at the Wedding Supper of the Lamb– together (Revelation 19). Beautiful. ❤❤❤ Even if I never meet you and everyone else in this life, I will never not know you! Can’t wait to meet the believers in heaven! Sorry I just had to reflect 😀 Have a blessed day!

      Liked by 1 person

  44. Happy belated birthday! It was a beautiful day for a beautiful you. 🙂 I always loved the Cloisters when I lived on Staten Island. So much to see and do in NYC. Hugs to you 💛💛 xoxo

    Liked by 1 person

  50. I don’t know what it is, but God usually brings a verse to mind whenever I read your posts! Here is the latest. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2. I love your beautiful heart, Caralyn!

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