During my recent New York visit; Eric Schoen (my best friend) and I traveled to Governors’ Island (Fort Jay). What a wonderful experience! Maybe for a different reason for those riding their bicycles, or for the out of country tourist, or even the kids arriving with their parents from Manhattan to see the revolutionary re-enactment… I was coming back home. I was born on this Island June 2, 1960 at 1:30 PM. My name is Gabriel Ocasio-Dàvila, the son of USA, SSGT Gabriel Ocasio-Vazquez from the 205 EP Company and Maria Teresa Dàvila, and the brother of Wanda, Miriam, Vivian and Zonia. Yes, the Ocasio kids from Building 844, Apartment 2b on the corner of Absecom RD. and Gresham RD; the ones laughing at the play ground, the ones that studied at PS 26; students of Ms. Korn and Ms. Rebecca Rosenberg; the kids that would say good morning to Lady Liberty from the roller-skating rink and had breakfast looking at Manhattan from our Kitchen window; the kids that fell asleep looking at the red light on top of the Empire State Building hoping that it was Rudolph the red nose reindeer.
We, the kids that competed at the theater in the Halloween costume contest, or hunted for the golden eggs at Easter at the air field. The kids that would wait with Mom, lying down on the grass of the parade field counting the clouds while Dad was marching at the Pass and Review. We, the kids, the real World ambassadors making friends with other kids from around this big blue marble and sharing the play ground and other fun places on our island, while our fathers served our country! Thousand memories that constantly are projected in our minds:
• Playing in the air field in the snow; making forts and having snowball fights; laying in the snow making snow angels
• Watching the fireworks in the field on the 4th of July
• The year we were snowed in and they had to send snow plows from New York to dig us out; making paths from the housing area to different parts of the island (schools, church, commissary, PX). We were like little rats in a labyrinth going from place to place for about a week!!!
• Getting ready for Easter Sunday service and parade before the egg hunt
• Puppet shows at the library
• The Hudson Bay freezing and watching the icebreaker ships cracking the ice so that the ferry could get through.
I remember leaving early in the morning with my mother and her best friend Carmen Mangrich (two Puerto Rican Divas conquering the Big Apple), taking the base bus, transferring to the South Ferry and arriving to lower Manhattan. “I believe I became a “foodie and a “frugalista” with Mom and Carmen.” We would first go for breakfast at Ratners on the lower east side (no longer there) and then to shop on Orchard Street! They were masters in the art of negotiating: mom shopping for five children and Carmen shopping for three. They turned the task of shopping into a very refined science. Later that morning we would stop at KATZ’s for the mandatory hot dog and then to Macy’s, Gimbles and Alexander’s. Always stopping at “Chock Full O’Nuts” for their pick me up coffee; UMMMM Travel, History, Food and bargains - I think there is something familiar going on here! I wonder???
Now back to the present; as Eric and I visit the old stomping ground many of the players have changed! Starbucks for “Chock Full of Nuts”; Katz’s is always faithful; Macys always standing strong; the hot dogs at Grays Papayas are better than ever; Gimbles and Alexander’s are only mentioned in movies and the countenance of Orchard Street is constantly changing.
New York will always be the Mecca of shopping, food, fashion and excitement. The sun feels different and the energy of thousands of immigrants that built this city with their hopes and dreams still permeates the air. The image of two Puerto Rican ladies and a young child is still alive and traveling the streets of lower Manhattan; shopping, eating and building on the history of this fabulous city!
1964 World Fair, Hotdog Recipe’s
My father would prepare for us these recipe’s on Saturday Movie nights
Rice Crispy Hotdog Recipe
Make thin cuts along the Hot dog cover it with catsup and roll it in Rice Krispies
Bake in the oven at 350 degrees until golden; about 20 minutes.
Rolled Bread Hotdog Recipe
Take a slice of bread, flatten it with a rolling pin, place a slice of cheese the hotdog, and roll tight.
Bake in the oven at 350 degrees until golden; about 20 minutes.
Spider Hotdog Recipe
Cut each Hot Dog in 5 pieces, with a sharp knife cut an ex at one end of the piece about ¾ deep.
Deep fry in hot oil until golden. You will see the Spiders form!
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