Hopefully Just This Once...

August 30, 2007

Although New York is very much a walking city, the Subway can be considered to be most commuters' main form of transportation. Being the most extensive public transportation system in the world, with over 450 passenger stations, and over 5 million riders a day, it's a little overwhelming to say the least, to figure out how to get from point A to point B. I have to admit I'm a little rusty when it comes to knowing which train to get on... 3 years ago however, I gracefully hopped from one train to the next, directing my family from one tourist attraction to another, only to get lost once! (mind you, getting lost in The Bronx on the way to a Yankees game probably wasn't the best choice in location to do so...)

So now, as I determine whether or not I need to go Uptown, Downtown or Crosstown, which colour of line, which letter or number of train I should board, whether it's Express or Local, and if and when I need to make a transfer, I find myself desperately wanting to pull out my huge map in the middle of the boarding platform and trace out my travel plan! But, considering how I don't want to make myself look any more like a transplanted western Canadian, I just have to suck it up when I get on the wrong train... much like I did this afternoon.

Blue line, no transfers, travel directly Uptown from 42 St. to 86 St. Sounds simple enough. How on earth I got on an orange 'Express' line, I'm not too sure. It was going Uptown however, which was the one part I got right... but definitely no stop at 86 St. By the time the train FINALLY stopped, I was in the heart of Harlem... yes at 145 St... far too Uptown than I would prefer to venture to on my own! Needless to say, I hopped back on a Downtown train, not gracefully though this time, and safely arrived back at my originally planned destination, though a little later than anticipated. Looks like I need to do a little more studying of my Subway map before I jump on to any other trains... either that or I need to invest in a more comfortable pair of walking shoes.

Entry to the Subway

Down on the Boarding Platform

NYC Subway Map

A Quiet Spot in a City of Over 8 Million...

August 29, 2007

In the biggest metropolis of the United States, there are constantly people EVERYWHERE! It's nearly impossible to keep a steady pace to your walk as you juggle your feet through throngs of people... business execs on their crackberry's, meandering tourists (I think I still fall under this category), and soulful musicians strumming out a beat on the street. It's no wonder a city like this literally has a country-like atmosphere to provide a stark contrast to the monotonous sight of concrete skyscrapers and multi-story highrises. Central Park is New York's year-round backyard. A place to relax from the urban sprawl, to enjoy a brief respite from the stresses of daily city life, no matter the time of year.

Today I found myself just needing an hour or two to just sit, relax, read, people-watch, and take in the serene and peaceful beauty of the park. Hills, lakes, trees, flowers and lush greenery really do do wonders to refresh the mind, especially after a hectic day, or I suppose in my case, a hectic but indeed memorable summer. Looks like it's possible afterall to take a New York minute to yourself...

The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir

The Reservoir with views of the Upper West Side

Belvedere Castle and The Turtle Pond (and the pond really does look like green slop!)

The Mall, Central Park's only formal promenade

Settling In and Staying Put... For Awhile

August 28, 2007

It's been nothing short of a crazy summer for me... planes, trains, and automobiles pretty well sums it up! A move to Calgary at the beginning of July (just in time to escape a treacherous fire that ripped through the condo development my sister and I were living in in Edmonton), a bittersweet family getaway, a cross-country roadtrip to Toronto (where my sister now resides) and a 15-hour long train ride to The Big Apple. Needless to say, it feels really good to finally be able to unpack, settle into and stay in one city for more than 2 weeks at a time, and have a place to call home, albeit temporarily. Bye bye to living out of suitcases, duffle bags, cardboard apple boxes and practically the trunk of my car!

It may have been 3 years since my last visit to NY, but as soon as Jess and I arrived close to midnight last night, the city still seemed all too familiar to us. The bustle of people on the streets, the smell of hot dogs and pretzels on every other street corner, the steam rising from manholes, the continuous sound of honking from a sea of yellow taxis, 10 Starbucks locations within only a couple city blocks... there really is no other city like this!

Since Jess was making a whirlwind trip with me, having only today to refresh herself with the sights, sounds and smells of the city, we spent the day visiting the site of the World Trade Center, Rockefeller Center, Times Square, Herald Square, strolling through Central Park, braving and surviving the packed-in-like-sardines subway car at rush hour (thank goodness for air conditioned cars!), and a little less exciting, grocery shopping for me... to think clothing can be so inexpensive here yet fruit cost a fortune! Definitely not your Superstore pricing... bummer.

Central Park

Times Square

The rebuilding continues... site of the World Trade Centre

Times Square

Empire State Building

So The Day Has Finally Come...

August 27, 2007

This morning I boarded the train to embark on what will likely be one of the most life changing experiences of my life. For those of you that don’t know, I’m on my way to New York City... quite possibly the greatest city in the world; a city rich in culture, ethnicity, diversity, art and entertainment. From the time I first visited The Big Apple in the summer of 2004, I couldn’t help but succumb myself to the unbelievably magnetic energy and electrifying excitement that the city offers. The moment I returned home from my amazing, yet exhausting time exploring the many diverse neighbourhoods and boroughs that combine to form New York City, I made a promise to myself that one day, some day, some how, I would make it back there... not just to visit, but to absorb the city to its fullest by challenging myself to live, work, and survive the New York pace of life and state of mind.

My parents can attest to the fact that I did not stop talking about how much I loved New York for at least a year following my visit. Even my sister was surprised this morning when I pulled out a used NYC Subway MetroCard from 2004 that I’ve kept in my wallet for 3 years... I suppose a reminder to myself that a little hard work, well... maybe a lot of hard work, determination and a few tears along the way, will get you to where you really want to go.

I’ll be away for 9 months, working as a Marketing and Communications Intern at the Turtle Bay Music School in Midtown Manhattan... an opportunity that I’ve been wanting to pursue since I convocated last spring, to propel my career aspirations in the area of Arts Marketing. During the convocation, U of A President Indira Samarasekera encouraged us, recent graduates, to do all we can, when the opportunity presents itself, to experience a new culture, meet new people, encounter new environments, create new discoveries and make connections with others whom you normally wouldn’t have the opportunity to meet. I held onto these words and will soon be applying them in a manner unlike I have ever before.

I’d love to have you join me as I share my exciting journey through a series of blog entries and photos. Feel free to leave comments and keep me in the loop as well with events happening back home.

And so... the adventure begins...