New York City Subway
© Christine Mastroianni, all rights reserved
Having been raised in a cozy Northern Canadian town with barely a highway, let alone a sophisticated underground system such as this, I was always intimidated by the word "subway". Putting "New York City" in front of it made it seem downright terrifying to a sheltered child. Actually venture onto a NYC subway? You might as well have suggested we navigate the expanse of Saudi Arabia by harnessing the nearest camel. (wait a minute... I have ridden a camel.... at Busch Gardens, I believe...)
But this was the year that New York City was removed from my imagination. It is no longer a notion in my head or a situation on a movie screen, I have my own memories of exploring Manhattan, and they do happen to include braving the jungles that exist far beneath the ashphalt. It was not at all terrifying; it wasn't even difficult.. to navigate or even to decide to travel upon it. When the sun is yawning and you have to get from Canal Street to Times Square quickly or else you won't get to see it on this trip, it just seems like the sensible thing to do!
This photograph was taken during a different excursion to the city, while awaiting a train that would bring us to the Staten Island Ferry to begin our day. We sat among obviously seasoned New Yorkers and equally obvious fellow tourists... across from the girl with the gold bangles adorning her wrist as she held on for stability... a few rows down from the kid who was comfortable not holding onto anything, expertly shifting his weight to maintain his balance on the erratically jerking ride.
A friend of mine was approached by a fellow who asked him what time it was, and when he complied, was heartily corrected: "No it's not, it's Doo Wop Time!!!" and with that, about four guys began to sashay around the crowd, weaving their own acapella in and out of our ears as they grooved around with Mount Everest smiles on their faces. Stuff like that never happened en route to the shopping centre back home!!
