it’s still ybor

NOTE: The following was sent in to us from Anne at e.b’s world.

My previous law firm was located in Ybor City. Which we abhorred, for a while. It did not have the hustle and bustle (albeit minute) of downtown, the people, the professionals and the feeling of an urban city center (well you understand, it is Tampa after all) and we had to drive everywhere. Groan. But like all things you adjust and adapt and in some cases really learn to like it. I would even say I miss the atmosphere and the culture, the chickens on the street, the variety of dining cuisine, the ability to grab a Cuban coffee on a whim. Isn’t it the case – you miss what you can’t have? The lesson being as clear as it always is – enjoy it for what it is, when it is. This is true of life, of Ybor, and of Tampa.

Ybor itself may be lacking in a lot of things and may pale in comparison to other hot spots. But it is what it is. Take it or leave it. And on most evening nights I can leave it. Um crime, anyone? But there are a whole bucket of gems weaved in and out of those square blocks; Carmines, Acropolis, Tre Amici, Palm Wines, the farmer’s market, the Colombia, Roma Pizza for lunch, Green Iguana for beers, and the rising art galleries. More than that it is the backbone of Tampa’s history; cigars, street cars, Mafia, and all.

I prefer to look at Tampa that way; not for what it does not possess but what we can make of it and take from it to enjoy its better qualities. There is a lot to offer – it may not strike you over the head and assault you like a Manhattan (unless you are on 7th Ave at midnight on a Satuday) – but it is present and there. Go look for it. Maybe keeping that perspective will make the whole town richer. Maybe it will make your own experiences richer. If not, at least you got a Cuban sandwhich out of it.