In the last 5 days I have used almost every possible means of transport available to man. My journey to New York City has truly given me enough experience on commuting to last me my lifetime. I have to say that one of the most convenient parts of NYC is definitely the sub way. It took quite a lot of getting used to and a lot of questioning the people around me before I was actually comfortable using the dark and stinky place. I have to say that although it isn't a very pleasantly fragrant way of commuting or comfortable when you are layered in your 5 biggest coats and jackets from the cold air above the ground compared to the stuffy and crowded train, but it gets you from point A to B quickly and away from the traffic and madness of the city streets. Perfect for small town "plaas meisie" me.
I love travelling, I am starting to realise. By travelling I mean getting there and starting the fun, I hate air ports, I hate being stuck on a plane for hours and not being able to sleep and trying to get comfortable and I don't enjoy trying to navigate my way around places that I have never been before. Although I have to brag a little and confess that I think I am pretty freaking awesome at it. I think I managed to get to wherever I needed to be perfectly even when I was holding the map upside down from time to time.
On the way to New York I had my mind racing about how we were going to find the right bus, how were we going to know where to get off? what if we ended up in a dodge area? What happens if you get on the wrong train? I have to say that this experience has taught me that it really isn't the end of the world. Just ask someone and you're bound to find your way to where you need to be.
Taxi's are just maddeningly expensive. I cannot understand why the sweet eff you have to tip the dudes if you're bloody paying them to drive you around! I think it's bull, but that's just me. Needless to say I didn't use a cab once while I was there, only to get from my house to and from the airport, but only because I had no one to fetch me and my travel buddy.
I think the main hiccup of thr trip has to have been when our bus driver told us to get off at the Delta airlines terminal, only to realise that he dropped us off at the wrong one, not the one that flies to Chicago, so after about fourty minutes of waiting for a shuttle to take us to the correct terminal we could finally relax! Luckily for overly prepared me, we left for the airport about hours before our flght.
The stress I went through trying to figure this all out was overwhelming beyond words, even though I had loads of help from sisters and Internet research, taking something you have printed on a piece of paper and putting into practise with bags and coats and full hands can be rather challenging. After it all, I can definitely say that I am officially an experienced traveller commuter person and I am overly proud of myself, and yes I shall toot my own horn and let my head swell at the amount of independence I gained over 5 days. Now if I can just figure out where I put my subway map. . .
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