Back in the 90s, when life felt like it had fewer wires and more wonder, rooftops were our hideouts, our hangouts, our happy places. There was something magical about climbing that last rung of the metal ladder, or hopping from a water tank ledge to the flat roof of an apartment building, just to get above the noise and feel the sky a little closer. No phones, no notifications—just us, the open air, and a view that stretched past the horizon of our teenage dreams.
Every evening, especially during school holidays or long weekends, we’d all gather up there—barefoot or in dusty slippers, carrying bottles of soda, sunflower seeds, or those sweet ‘Big G’ bubble gums. The sun would slowly melt into the skyline, casting golden hues over the city, and we’d talk about everything and nothing at the same time. Dreams of becoming musicians, pilots, or just being rich enough to own a TV with a remote. We’d laugh till we cried, argue over who had the best dance moves, and take turns humming R. Kelly or TLC lyrics offbeat but full of feeling.
There was peace in those moments. The rooftop was our sanctuary. When things got heavy at home, or when school pressures kicked in, that spot gave us an escape. A cool breeze, a couple of jokes, and the simple joy of being understood by people who grew up the same way you did—that’s all it took to reset your soul.
Looking back now, those rooftop nights weren’t just childhood memories—they were our therapy sessions, our social media, and our joy rolled into one. They remind us that sometimes the best way to reconnect with yourself is to remember where you started. And if you’re lucky enough to find an old rooftop today, take a moment up there. Close your eyes. Listen to the silence. Maybe, just maybe, you’ll feel that 90s peace all over again.
