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Published: September 30th 2006
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All set to go!
Hey Ho! Lets Go!!!! This time I didn’t have to wake up so early, but I did anyway just to make sure that I didn’t leave anything behind. This was the last real ‘pit stop’ for me and anything hereon in that got left behind would be better off sent home instead. Another reason that I had to get up early was because Lenka was flying off to Europe today for a week at such late notice so she had to leave enough time for herself to pack.
As I left, David came out and gave me a Washington Guide Book. I told him about everyone’s claims about Washington D.C. being a “24 hour city” and now with this book, I could go forth and tell everyone about the greatness of the D.C. or else, I could have just grabbed the beer list from Brickskellars. It was really good to see him come out because he wasn’t feeling the best. I would too if I worked as hard as this man!
The Metro ride in was a little full but I still managed to find a seat. Today, I had to catch the Amtrak from Union Station all the way up to
Baltimore
This place was pretty ghetto! NYC, a trip that would take just over 3 hours. I was meant to stop over in Baltimore and visit a friend that I started talking to on LJ, but he has disappeared off the face of the earth and I can look at the ghettoness outside when we pass through Baltimore. I know it’s not representative of the whole city but damn! The train passes through Philadelphia, Trenton and Newark International Airport before coming to a stop at Penn Station. There were some tourists who mistook Newark for New York, or, “Noo Yawk”…
After getting off, I had to get up to 103rd St. Penn Station is on 34th Street, so unless I wanted to do some heavy cardio workouts, walking wasn’t going to be an option and neither was a taxicab. I wanted to get underground and authenticate my Noo Yawk experience with a ride in their famous subway.
At first, I had trouble reading their network maps but figured out that the C train would take me where I was going. The next hard bit was getting through the turnstiles. Of course, I had a backpack as well as a drag along luggage case so
I didn’t see myself fitting through these turnstiles. The side gate made the most sensible option, so I approached an MTA lady who was at the gate.
“WHY DON’T YOU USE THA TURNSTILES”
“I got these big bags and I’m not going to fit through”
“YOU USE THA TURNSTILES JUS’ LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE DOES”
“I’m not going to fit, I am telling-“
“YOU GOTTA USE THE TURNSTILES”
“I’m telling you - it’s not possible. I’ve already tried!”
“WHY YOU GOT BIG BAGS FO’?”
“I’m travelling. Please, I need to get to 103rd St.” I should have caused some serious damage by barging the turnstile with this 50 pound luggage case, but common sense prevailed and I was finally let through. However, I caught the wrong subway and ended up on the way to Queens.
Eventually I backtracked and got all the way to 47-50th St. In 2 hours, the total progress I made was a paltry two subway stations. I didn’t even know what or where was uptown or downtown. But I didn’t want to go to Coney Island, I just wanted my hostel bed and a nice shower. I finally convinced myself that Uptown was where I
A bridge in Philadelphia, somewhere
kinda looks like a familiar bridge at home! wanted to be at, and sighed a great big relief when the street numbers started getting bigger again.
I get off at 103rd and I’m allowed to pass through the wide gate, thank God. However, there are stairs to negotiate. There are no elevators or escalators, but stairs. 50 pounds on wheels and probably another 22 on my back. I seriously questioned my decision to catch the subway. Imagine my fucking delight when I realise that I am staying on the third floor of Jazz on the Park, without an elevator. First thing I am doing tomorrow is looking for another place to stay in, WITH an elevator.
After trekking Mt Everest with my luggage carried by hand, I arrive in my room and notice that it’s a bit smaller than most dorms, however there’s enough space for me to store everything. I can’t imagine NYC being chilly yet so I place all of my luggage near the gas heater and help myself to a nice hot shower before walking the streets for a little bit. The hostel is a block away from Central Park and also a few blocks away from Harlem. I wonder if Booker T is around.
I go downstairs and use the hostel’s computers to upload a few photos as well as talk to people back home on MSN Messenger. It’s footy grand final time and Grant and his family are getting ready to go to the NRL Grand Final. Shame that the Bulldogs won’t be there but I couldn’t even get anywhere to watch it. It turns out that our friend Dave, now living in Seattle knows of a sports bar there that shows Rugby League games. I wish I knew of this place and that I knew where Dave lived. There will be a next time, I suppose.
I ring my little sister back home and give her my best Pussycat Dolls impression. She asks me if I am here in NYC to be ready for the open audition for their band. We talk forever and I suppose she can’t wait to be here. At the same time, after my experience with the Subway Lady and the many stairs, I’m not sure if I want to be here in NYC. I head back up to the 3rd floor and greet my Australian dorm mates. There’s an older lady and her two vision impaired kids plus guide dog. I’m amazed that they haven’t let anything get in the way of their travels. The mum tells me that they have spent their last few days in NASA space camp and totally enjoyed it. She gives me a pamphlet for a Grey Line sightseeing tour that looks really worth investigating. I read over it but the urge to sleep overcomes me, and before too long I’m fast asleep.
Summary
Washington D.C. - New York: 226 miles
Total American Miles: 8775 miles
Total Miles: 16195 miles
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