Wednesday Buses and Subways

(The photos are higher resolution than I usually use)

Wednesday had me in bed early after a thunderstorm finished out in the area, including a severe storm warning. I had walked over 14,000 steps, including many stairs that fill the subway system of NYC. I took a shower only after the storms were done. Being grounded in a shower in a building is not a good plan in a thunderstorm, and it is no fun if the power goes out. I had nodded off during the storm and spent some time chatting with Deborah.

I was not expecting to sleep, and was out until 1ish, woke up, rolled over, and welcomed the sunrise on Thursday morning (when I am writing this). And now that the ending is done, let me return to my day (in the soundtrack in my mind, there should be some dramatic music, Frank singing, followed by something borrowed from a Gotham animation).

I was awake with some broken sleep from the usual hotel noises waking me with sunrise. I was up and texting Deborah, who rises early, around 6. I showered, dressed, and all that, and went downstairs to have the complimentary breakfast, which is better than the usual industrial breakfast. There, I wrote the previous day’s blog and finished some work for the church. I find it easier, when traveling, to work in noisy and busy places. The energy helps you accomplish your goals.

A card for Mom Wild was left with the front desk to mail. I found an old-school mailbox a few steps from the hotel, which I will use now. I left my laptop (and my phone battery, oops) in the room and headed out. I had changed shirts as my coffee lid leaked, and I ended up washing that shirt in the sink for another day to wear.

Wearing my lighter white hat, I brought it as it was going to be sunny and 80°F/27°C+ (and it is a hackers’ convention), I headed out to find buses and subway trains to connect me to my destinations. I have updated my iPhone to accept payment without needing a click and face scan for the bus and subway fare readers.

I found the bus stop using the map app, boarded the correct one, and almost missed the stop as I was missing part of the name, but my phone said leave the bus now. St. John University reminded me of Central Michigan when I started there (it had grown over the years), and I soon got lost. I had to visit the Hope website using my iPhone to locate their online reworked university map to help me find my way. I located the buildings and halls and was soon surrounded by new students. It was orientation day for new freshmen. I took a picture with the school’s emblem, which was conveniently set out for new students to take selfies. The school store (I wanted to get a notebook) was not open yet.

I then waited fifteen minutes in the hot sun for my bus to the F train. The AC was good on the bus, and I got a seat. Soon, the bus was standing room only. I got the W train, and it stopped on every stop, it seemed. I had to switch to the F and soon was out in Manhattan! I was not far from MoMA and found the line. I spent $30+ for a ticket and soon took the escalators to the top and found Starry Night, which I missed seeing last time (the area was closed). The painting was enjoying selfies with folks five deep to get their chance to get that ‘been-there-done-that’ photo. I got a picture by holding my phone up. Later, I waited and then got to the front row, just looking at it. Trying to learn it. By my head, folks held their phones for that perfect shot. I just stood still and looked as countless phones appeared on the side of my vision.

I walked through the art, stopping at pieces that caught my attention. I remember many of the items from my art history class textbook. It was a pleasure to just walk and look; the place was packed.

But Terrace 5 was open, and I requested a table and was escorted to a balcony-like space over the museum garden. Maradith, my waiter, agreed that the lemonade and their prosciutto ham, mint, and melon lunch was perfect for the 80°F+ with no breeze terrace.

I walked all the floors and saw many things I knew and might have missed some, but still I enjoyed the wandering. There was an excellent display of world-changing designs, including even a simple espresso maker. I found stickers and postcards in the gift store.

I had no plans, but soon walked by Radio City Music Hall and learned that the next tour was in thirty minutes. I walked the area for twenty minutes, enjoying taking pictures and sitting a few times (it was hot). Soon I was in the well AC’d Radio City Music Hall lobby and enjoyed walking the main floors and then the Roxy rooms from the original owner, who used to live there. We met a Rockette; there were only three of us for this tour.

We did not get a stage tour and could not take photos as a show was being set up. Next time. Still, it was a short and enjoyable tour. The couple with me were from the UK and were spending a week in the city.

I found the Q line and took it downtown to the Washington Square area, and soon found The Strand bookstore again. More postcards, a few gifts acquired, and a bag. Next, Max Brenner’s for an early dinner of a burger and a chocolate shake to die for.

I reach Washington Square and pay $10 to play chess with five minutes on my clock. I ran out of time and lost. Still, it was fun, and my opponent did stop with the easy win and only got me in check once. I will have to play more. More chess has been on my mind, but I never get to it. It started to sprinkle, and I was the last game for the night, I suspect. I forgot his name, but he was polite and was happy when I blocked him from an easy win.

Now, after 5, it was time to make my Escape from NY. Back to the subway and Q to F trains and out of NYC. But the bus has a long line, and the sprinkles turn into rain. Ugh. I decide on an Uber, but it takes twenty minutes in the traffic to reach me (there are closed roads), and I watch two buses come and go. Finally, it shows (and I am charged 14 cents for making it wait thirty seconds, hmmm). The trip is quick, but as we reach the area of my hotel, a blacked out SUV flies by, barly missed getting hit as it ignores a traffic light, spins out of control on the recently wetted roads, does a 180, and stops just beside a fire hydrant that I thougth was going to do a Hollywood like scene for us. The SUV driver, momentarily stunned, then drove off. My Uber is undamaged, and the driver calms and gets me safely to my hotel.

With that, I reach my room, and the storm starts to darken the sky, and the flashes are followed by immediate bangs of thunder. Deborah, on a call, reminds me how thunderstorms work, as we don’t get them often in Oregon.

And that takes us full circle!

Thanks for reading.