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Well…as you know, I spent last Friday in the Big Apple.

However, this time the only difference was that instead of driving in with my boss, I went alone and took public transportation.

Which meant that I had to take two trains and then a subway.

Luckily, all my connections were on time, so it went very smoothly. The only catch, was that once I actually got into the city, I wanted to save the company some money by using the subway rather than taking a cab.

Now if anyone here has ever experienced the NYC subway system, you also know that it’s mind-blowing. It’s an underground world of tunnels and trains that conveniently gets you anywhere in the city.



But it can be very intimidating because it’s MASSIVE, and everyone is running around like a colony of ants, scurrying in million different directions; in a hurry to get where they need to be - FAST.

So when I got underground, I had no idea where the hell I was going or what I was doing. I only knew that I had to take the E train.

First of all I didn’t have any subway tokens. And unlike Philadelphia’s subway system, you have to use a machine to get your tokens instead of getting them from a person sitting in a booth. Well…I had no idea how to use the damn machines because they were utterly confusing (they looked like a cross between a casino slot machine and a Nintendo game). So I looked around at everyone with a sheepish look on my face, like to say, “Can someone please help me?!” And just then, a woman smiled and walked over; showing me step by step how to use it. She was so patient and kind, that I wanted to grab her face and plant a “wet one” on her kisser, but instead I just thanked her profusely.

Once I got on the train (which by the way, was packed like a can of sardines) I had a moment of panic because I thought I might be on the wrong one. So I decided to ask a woman who was sitting with her daughter, if the train was going to 5th Avenue. And not only did she tell me that I was on the right train, but she also instructed me how to get out of the subway and get back to the street level, once I got there. We chatted the whole rest of the ride.

Now that was TWO people who went out of their way to help me that day.

So why New Yorkers always get a rap for being rude and uncaring…I’ll never know.

In fact, since I’ve been spending the past three weeks in New York, I’ve had nothing but kindness shown to me.

Whenever I’ve smiled and said “Hello” to someone on the street, they’ve always made eye contact, smiled, and said “Hello” back.

And whenever I’ve needed assistance, they’ve reached out and helped.

Yes…New Yorkers move fast.

Yes…New York can be big and intimidating.

But deep within it…also lies a BIG and KIND heart!





28 comments:

  1. "underground world of tunnels and trains that conveniently gets you anywhere in the city."

    Muffi, are you listening? I wonder if that would work here...

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  2. Hi Ron,

    Happy Easter Monday to ya ! Did you have a nice Sunday?

    I can understand being freaked out by all this !! Even if I ask a lot of questions when away from home, I still feel uneasy.
    Bless those peeps for helping you. Goes to show you that good people are everywhere.

    Hoping that you had a nice trip back to NYC... I don't know the big Apple very well. Had a 6 hr layover there with D years ago & we went to take the ferry to see Lady liberty & Ellis island.

    Have a good one my dear.
    XXXX

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  3. The NY subway sounds like the underground in London. I had absolutely no idea how to find my way about when I was there. Luckily MWM is brilliant at finding his way about - I think he must have lived in London in a previous life. It's nice when people go out of their way to help you, we had a similar experience when we were using the tram in Krakow. :)

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  4. I remember the first time I took our trains which basically just go east and west. I felt just like you!

    How do I buy a ticket???

    Am I on the right train???

    Where do I get off???

    I think you actually had a better experience than I did. I'm sure native New Yorkers will be grateful for you kind words.

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  5. I was very happy to read of your adventures!
    I must say my dear, I really believe the kindness you received is a reflection of your good and kind energy. :)

    Looking forward to hearing more about your new chapter!

    ta, ta for now and LY!

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  6. ah, new york is nothing to fear. it's fun and exciting. yeah you can get lost. i do it all the time and a little old lady usually comes to my rescue because she's tired of looking at the stupid look on my face.

    sometimes they have humans who actually help you at the stations and will sell you tokens. i hate the darn machines only when i'm in NY. in NJ, i know what to do.

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  7. Aloha Debi!

    OMG...wouldn't it be GREAT if you could have subways in Hawaii?

    And the subway trains could be shaped like little coconuts!!!

    HAHAHAHAHAHA!

    Thanks for stopping by, Deb!

    Hope you're enjoying your new hardrive on the Acer!!!

    X

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  8. I was very surprised while in NYC when I had to take the subway and connect to a train. I kept thinking I was going to be attacked. I was surprised how many men and women were showing me what to do and what trains to take.

    The only negative I will say is when I got off the subway I saw a woman singing and I stood to watch her singing into her hair brush. She looked over and me and said what are you staring at. I personally thought she was giving a show. I was so scared I ran straight up to GCS.

    Seriously I love NYC it was awesome. They really have a bad rap on reputation but they are truly genuine.

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  9. Bonjour Barbara!

    Hope you had a FAAAABULOUS Easter, dear friend!

    Mine was wonderful, thanks for asking. I sat in Washington Square Park and people-watched. It was very cold, but the sun was out, so it felt delightful!

    Last Friday was such wonderful adventure going to NYC alone. It was scary...but I had forgotten how comfortable I really feel in that city.

    Yes...bless those peeps for helping me!

    Thanks for stopping by today!

    HAPPY MONDAY to ya!

    X

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  10. Good Afternoon Akelamalu!

    Yes...I hear the underground in London is INCREDIBLE. I know people who have visited, and they shared that it is VERY similar to the NYC subway system.

    I wanted to take the subway Friday, not only to save some money, but to also try and get use to using again. It's been years since I lived there and forgotten how MASSIVE it was.

    ALWAYS wonderful seeing ya, dear lady!

    Thank you for dropping by today!

    Enjoy your Monday!

    X

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  11. Helloooooo Chrissy!

    Yes...it's the same here in Philly.

    The trains only go north and south, east and west in a straight line. It's very difficult if you need to get to some place in between.

    I'm glad I did this Friday, because it'll make riding the subways next time much easier.

    Thanks for dropping by, Chrissy!

    Hope you're having a great Monday!

    Say Hi to Bernie for me!!!

    Woof!

    X

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  12. Hello Dear Gypsy-Heart!

    You're so sweet dear friend!

    Thank you.

    aaahhh...what a fasinating adventure this has been. I definitely feel something new brewing, so I'm just gonna go with it and see where it takes me.

    I'm really looking forward to spending more time in NYC. It has "re-juiced" my creativity.

    I'm excited!!!

    Always a treat sharing with you, Gypsy!

    Love ya!
    X

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  13. Good Afternoon Natural!

    OMG...you're funny!

    I think that's what happen to me too. This woman saw that stupid look on my face and came to my rescue - thank God!

    YES...I did see the booths when I was in the subway, but when I went to over to buy a token, she told me I had to purchase it from the machine. And as you already know, it wasn't even a token. It was swipe card!?!

    My..my...how things have changed since I lived there!?

    But the wonderful energy ALWAYS remains the same!

    Thank you for dropping by today, Val!

    Have a great Monday!

    X

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  14. OMG...Domestice Diva!!!

    Your comment made me HOWL!!!!

    THAT WAS HYSTERICAL!!!

    Singing into her hair brush????

    How FAAAABULOUS!

    But ya know, I would have thought she was giving a show too!

    It's funny, because I actually feel more comfortable in NYC than I do hear in Philly. NYC has always felt like my home.

    And you're so right...New Yorkers are very genuine and direct. And I like that.

    It's great seeing ya, Diva!

    Thanks for dropping by!

    Have a great Monday!

    X

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  15. The subways are great . . . but during the summer, you run the risk of learning more about armpits than you'd ever imagined. And like anything else, once you get used to the system, it couldn't be more convenient.

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  16. ~laughing~
    Oh yes , New yorkers can be very helpful and kind!
    I will never ever forget the lovely woman who came up to me in The Hard rock last year when i was there.
    She was very lovely, and so sweet,
    and for the low low low price of 100$ I could have the most mind blowing fuck of my life.
    She was still sweet and sexy as hell when i said no thanks.
    Gotta love the BIG apple...
    ~grinning~

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  17. I've never taken the subway by myself. It's too overwhelming and I think I'd panic. One time I took the train with my friends and they stopped it for 45 min for a criminal investigation!

    I love New Yorkers. I think they get a bad rap because they talk really loud and fast.

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  18. Oh Damn Chris you are SOOOOOOOOOOO right!!!!!

    PEE-EW!

    Even the subways here in Philly are the same way during the summer. They don't air condition them, so while you're waiting on the platform...your DYING!!!!!!!!

    I love city life, truly I do...but summertime SUCKS!!!

    Always great seeing ya, bud!

    Thanks for stopping by!

    Hope you're enjoying your day!

    X

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  19. HOLY SHIT Lady Sorrow!!!!

    HHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA!

    THAT WAS HYSTERICAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    You totally caught me off guard when I first starting reading your comment...

    ....and when I got to the mind-blowing fuck part....I HOWLED!!!!!!!

    THAT WAS GREAT!!!!!

    And for only $100.00?????

    God, that sounded like a DISCOUNT!

    She must have LOVED you!!

    woo! woo!

    Oh man, don't you just love all the CRAZINESS you run across in NYC??

    I can't thank you enough for sharing that comment, dear Sorrow!

    You ROCK!

    Thanks for stoppin by!

    Love ya!
    X

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  20. Helloooooo Tina!

    OMG...I hear ya!

    NYC subways can be very overwhelming.

    When I first got down there on Friday, I too felt a little panic stricken. But when everyone was being so nice, it sort of relaxed me and ended up being a really cool experience.

    GOD...all of New York is on one speed only....FAST!!!!!

    Great seeing ya today, Tina!

    Thanks for dropping by!

    Enjoy your evening!

    X

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  21. Awwwwwww......bless their hearts for taking such good care of you.

    SEE--kindness begets kindness.
    Ain't it cool!

    :-)

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  22. Hiya Dear Mel!

    YES...they took good care of me and I was SOOOOO grateful too!!!

    And that's what I think too, Mel...

    ...if you take the time to smile and say hello, then they take the time to do the same thing in return.

    New Yorkers really do have a softness and kindness!

    Thanks for stopping by, dear lady!

    Hope your Monday was spectacular!

    X to you!

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  23. I lived in NYC for 2 1/2 years. In my never so humble opinion, I think it's actually people from NJ that give New Yorkers a bad rap. Heh! I loved NY and I thought the people were great.

    Although, one guy did step on my foot and break it on the way down the stairs to the subway one night. It was pretty awful. I don't think he realized he'd done it though.

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  24. I so want to ride on New York City's subway systems.

    um, I could dress like a warrior in that old NYC gang movie...WARRIORS...warriors...come out and playiyay.

    hehhe...it's bad acting but still entertaining in a retro kind of way. There is some good acting though.

    I don't think the warriors could beat me up...guess which gang I would be in? hehehe.

    Anyway...they were trying to get back on there TURF...that's gang lingo for home area. And they were on on the subways most of the way...cool.

    Ronnie you rock and this post does too. I think you have me hooked on NYC...I hafta go...see I can talk just like a New Yorker. I have a buddy that grew up in Bronx. hehehe

    ciao sweetie.

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  25. Hi Sweet Pea!

    So nice seeing ya!

    Thanks for stopping by tonight!

    OMG...you lived in NYC? Me too. I lived there for five years in the late 70's early 80's. NYC was WILD back then. I mean, it still is, but it was REALLY wild then. And FUN!!!

    OUCH!?*!? You broke your foot? YAWSA!

    I think people have to actually live NYC for a time to really understand it. It's rough on the outside, but soft on the inside.

    Thanks for adding your thoughts and feelings to this post, Sweet Pea!

    Hope you had a wonderful day!

    X

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  26. Oh...Miss Jones...I have a definite feeling that you would LOVE NYC.

    You have the kind of energy that would meld into it. I know once you got there, you would go CRAZY like I do.

    The energy of the city actually GIVES you energy. I was so tired when I got there on Friday, but the minute my feet hit the pavement...I was instantly ALIVE!

    I can SO see the two of us there having a BLAST!

    If you ever do come east, please let me know. I'll meet you there, ok?

    Thanks for stopping by you Warrior you!

    Hope you had a MARVI day!

    ciao bella
    X

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  27. Hey Ron - As an NYC commuter, I agree wholeheartedly with your comment about "rough on the outside but soft on the inside." Just because New Yorkers have no time for the mundane frivolity of asking strangers on an elevator about their day, does not make us unkind. It makes us genuine. Because really, I don't care how a stranger's day is unfolding, but I'm always happy to help should someone reach out. There's no need to pour on the syrup to increase the likeability.

    And London, for all its merits as a global city, does not air condition its subways.

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  28. Hi MVD!

    Greetings!

    Hey...thanks a buunch for sharing your honest and awesome comment.

    You said everything I wanted to say, only better!

    It's been a while since I actually lived in NYC, and I had forgotten just how much I enjoy it. I definitely see myself living there again someday.

    I guess I've always been a New Yorker in my heart. I FEEL that city in my soul.

    Thanks for stopping, bud!

    Enjoy your day!

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