You run on Cuban time, even if you aren't Cuban. | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post

17 Signs You Grew Up In Westchester

You can take the kid out of Westchester, but you can't take Westchester out of the kid.

503
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Westchester_sign.jpg

In This Article:

I was born and raised in Westchester, Miami, Florida, a cute little suburban community full of constant Coral Way traffic and home to the office of the district's state representative. It was an interesting place to grow up in because we all knew where Westchester started, but no one knew where it ended. We end up claiming more territory than we actually have (sorry Olympia Heights!). Our home turf covered the square from 8th street to Bird Road, then 97th Ave to the 826.

You can say it with an accent, you can pretend it doesn't exist, but if you grew up in this four-mile radius of a "town," there are just some things that stuck with you. There are a few ways to spot a fellow Westchester neighbor and it isn't just from the way they say, "Westchester."

Chickens in the front yard are as common as pigeons to you.

Chickens and peacocks in the front yard seemed far more believable than pigeons.

You know the words, by heart, to the recording for "El Afilador"

He didn't care what time of day it was, he was just trying to sharpen your knives.

You always look for mangoes or avocados to be sold while at the intersection.

Did you forget to pick up limes at the grocery store? Need flowers for a last minute gift? Feeling parched and wanting a soda? There's always someone walking up and down the rows of cars trying to sell food and other goods.

Santa's Enchanted Forest is your worst nightmare.

You can hear it now, the classic jingle. You know that the park opens halfway through the year and you can never visit Tropical Park during that time.

The Fair, on the other hand, is the best thing to come around every year.

Even though it's not in our designated district, you can't help but get excited for The Fair. The food is way too good to miss out on.

You know the best hot dog and chili cheese fries are at Arbetter's.

There's no argument to be had. Arbetter's has been around since 1959 and they're still serving up some fire food. Just remember to say, "I love Larry Bird" the next time you get a refill.

The Palmetto has been under construction since before you were born.

With no end in sight, you might as well get used to the constant construction. At this point, you're so used to the construction that you never notice when it isn't happening.

You say, "like," "literally," "super," and "busting missions" every other word.

Everything is a mission, bro. Like, you literally can't sometimes. It's super crazy, bro.

You have your favorite bakery and won't go to any of the others.

... except maybe Isla Canarias.

 The words to "Sh*t Miami Girls Say" are forever engrained in your mind.

Seven years ago, the most iconic Miami video was born. Thanks to a couple of private school kids, this video will live on with lines like, "we're getting bottles, bro" and "what's your cheapest pink wine?"

 You remember the Westchester Mall way before they turned into Walmart.

The good ole days, before Walmart and Valsan took over. You even remember life before the Publix Sabor.

You run on Cuban time, even if you aren't Cuban.

If the party starts at 9 pm, you know that people won't show up until almost 11 pm. Everything has to be planned with two-hour notice for everyone that runs on Cuban time.

 Some words you say with an accent, no matter what.

"Westchester," "Macdonal," "Liro Siser," "La Sawesera," "Gualmar," to name a few.

 Bird Bowl is the only place you'll go bowling now.

Before all the fancy new bowling places opened up, there was -and still is- Bird Bowl. The smell of that place brings back too many birthday parties to name.

 The hill at Tropical Park is the highest point of elevation in all of Westchester.

Just outside of our district is the hill- the hill we all forced ourselves to run up as children and race down on bikes, pizza boxes, and sometimes each other.

 Wearing a Columbus sweater instantly made you cool.

Any girl that walked into class with a Columbus sweater on -even in the 90 degree heat- was making it known that she was texting a boy at Columbus, and that was a big deal.

 The "Welcome to Westchester" sign is the most comforting thing you'll ever see.

The moment you see "Entering Westchester" when you get off the 826, or the big flower on the sign with "Welcome to Westchester" so proudly displayed, you know you're home.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

118880
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

25192
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

23540
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments