I got to visit one of my favourite cities last month. What felt like a dream is finally starting to sink in as reality. I got to meet a lot of nice people from way back (it’s weird that I can say that now about folks that aren’t my parents’ friends) and new people, that I can’t really consider as friends but it was nice to know them for a brief moment in time.
My plan as always was to eat at the same places as much as possible so I can feel like I live there and to walk. And to people watch. I walked, shopped at the farmer’s market, made a salad, found my neighbourhood restaurant and bagel shop and just enjoyed falling asleep to the sounds of traffic. It’s been a while!
Once I figured out how to use the subway, there was no stopping me. I have no pro tips, except to figure out which direction you’re going in do you don’t have to keep changing platforms once you realise it’s the wrong one. I saw some great art and theatre by local folks – all so resonant with my current state of being that I could almost cry – and I did!
One particularly beautiful moment occurred when I was taking the subway for the second to last time, on my way to see my friend and dog friend. I walked down the stairs and a musician on his guitar was playing as trains screeched to a halt and departed on either side of him. One of those trains was mine, I was right on time. Then he started playing “Fast Car“, by Tracy Chapman.
That was one of my dad’s favourite songs. He had her cassette and as a child, I was fascinated by the tape deck we had at home. I was always playing whatever we had shoved on either side of it, regardless of whether the tape was mildewed or not. Tracy Chapman’s tape was one of the ones that worked. I remember my father saying she was his girlfriend and of course I believed him but I was also very confused as a child because I always thought it was a man’s singing voice.
I didn’t get on that train. But I took the next one, glad for the little hello from the parental unit.
Nice post and lovely pictures. Did you live in NYC previously?
Hi Nilda, no I have never lived there. Just visited a few times prior and felt right at home. I think because of living in Bombay, NYC felt very similar. I also have a friend there whom we had hosted in India and another former colleague from Bombay now lives and works there with her family.
That’s the #1 subway advice I have too! My first time in NYC we missed our flight home (and had to wait til the next day!) bc we took the wrong-direction subway (for a long time) trying to get to the airport. Looks like you had a perfect visit!
LOL So glad someone agrees. I’m usually very good with trains and directions but the signage on the subway there just SUCKS. It makes no sense if you don’t know the line numbers or names of streets (or which direction they go). Without google maps I’d be on a lot of wrong direction trains for a long time too.