Ode to the NYC Subway

There's no other way to start this than to just say that there are some EXTREMELY strange people/events on the NYC subway. I sometimes find myself happily minding my own business, lost in my own thoughts and laughing about something in my head, and some bizarre incident happens. A few weeks ago at Union Square, a man felt the need to share a view of his private parts with some fellow New Yorkers, myself happening to be among the unfortunate. It was oddly violating; I wanted to go into a corner and curl up into a ball and just magically appear at home. Just last night I was getting home late and on the platform a man said, "I want to f*** you" to me as I passed by. Again, very VERY disquieting. I walked as quickly as I could towards a cluster of people and hope that these strangers would shelter me from any further contact with this man, who after that point just stood there and whistled to himself.

But lets not associate one of the most expansive subway systems in the world with only negative things. I mean, it's open all night...ALL night. Take that London! One of the biggest cities in the world, and your "Tube" shuts down at midnight! Even if you're not an insomniac like me, and you don't feel the need to be under the city in the dark depths of the night, the subway is a strangely cultural place. In a city where many cultures and walks of life blend together, it's fitting that the transportation system seems to be the mixer stirring it all together. I hear great music at the 34th St stop on some days when I'm leaving work. I actually stood there one day during lunch and listened, I was late getting back to work, but what are pipe lengths compared to music that actually makes you stop and listen.

What makes me curious is the person sitting next to me though. What is that person thinking? Is he or she thinking of the plot for the next big bestseller, or perhaps Pulitzer winning article? Did he just make a bad trade that is going to cost millions of dollars? Is she actually checking out that good looking guy carrying a guitar while her boyfriend is sitting right next to her? Does his family dine with the heads of state in his home country while he's here going to college? It's pretty amazing the different kinds of people you can encounter in NY, and these people are probably sitting right next to you without you realizing. Of course, its very "un-NY" to start a conversation with a stranger, so you'll never really know.

Now I should get back to my project which I'm procrastinating from, which is actually about the subway. Stand clear of the closing doors please!