The difference between the research material that is available on a city and the perspective of an individual living in said city is a broad spectrum that at certain points merge, but most often than not lie on completely different sides. Such is the story of Hialeah, in which my research brought out interesting highs and lows that (sometimes) interacted with that of my interviewee. The most significant match is that of the Hialeahean's Cuban heritage. According to Hialeah demographics, the city of Hialeah is only second to Westchester in Cuban population with about 86% of the city noting a lineage tracing its roots to Cuba. Without a doubt, the language of Hialeah is one that works symbiotically, with Hialeah ranking second with Spanish as the spoken language in the United States. Ironically enough, number one is Hialeah Gardens, a suburb, according to the Hialeahean interviewee, that was created because Hialeah city "could not deal with them anymore" and is only a form of "demographic hair-splitting".
Such a large Hispanic influence is evident with Hialeah's motto, to the interviewee's knowledge, being the only city in America to incorporate Spanish: La Ciudad que Progresa - The City that Progresses. Along the lines of a Cuban heritage is the Santero community - with Hialeah's claim to fame as the largest community of santeros outside of Cuba. With an empathic "Oh, Yeah", the Hialeahean can recount vividly his own experiences with santeria and the rivalry that occurs between the botanicas - the religious stores that line many streets throughout Hialeah.
With such a eclectic mix of cultures, one would think that Hialeah ranks favorably in terms of travel, but Forbes ranked Hialeah in 2009 as one of the most boring cities in America. The Hialeahean will agree - but only to a point. Yes, he states, our malls and movie theaters "suck", and venues for entertainment are limited, but he believes Forbes has lost its mark. Hialeah, throughout his experiences, has been a cultural landscape filled with the "strange" and "peculiar" - a place where outsiders will be able to experience a culture unlike no other.
Such a strong notion of the Hialeahean's city leads me into a travel guide that I had found throughout my research. The recommendation for food and drinks while travelling throughout Hialeah: Chipotle (Mexican fast food); Jerry and Joe's Pizza from NY; and La Carreta ("authentic" Cuban food). As I read this list, the Hialeah's eyes begin to roll and he shakes his head. You want Hialeah, he asks me. Forget that list. Go to El Rey de la Fritas. I might just take his offer. I haven't travelled down the 826 in awhile.
No comments:
Post a Comment