North Vallejo Living

My neighborhood can be described just as any other can be described. Some people can bovine. There are roads with ditches, potholes, and graffiti on the outsides of fences, groups of young people walking around with no destination, boards on some houses and cars on blocks and violence everywhere and anywhere that’s concealed. My neighborhood is called Rancho or referred to as “The Swamps” or “Swamp Side” Vallejo California. I moved around a lot and finally anchored into Hayward California also known as “The Stack” to some. Although living here is quite different I have learned to adapt to this lifestyle and neighborhood. Like the swamps, West Hayward is home as well. The streets are a little better than Rancho, but the people on this block are the same as any other block in Vallejo but there are more stores that aren’t closed down close to home.

           I am a product of my neighborhood. I am who I am because of the neighborhood I grew up in. Some of the upbringings I went through in my neighborhood were fun and willing as others were hard and something I didn’t want to do. Although each and every single one was necessary. If you take a look at anyone I grew up with you would find little difference in the way we carry ourselves, the way we talk, and our decisions with life. Maybe even in the way we look. Although some of the experiences we have had are the factors on which made the kids on the block to who they are today like myself. With some of the hardships that went on where I am from pushed people from my neighborhood as well as myself into a whole new direction or lifestyle. Which is a good thing for most.