Just Beneath the Surface in the Belly of the Beast - [Long Weekend in NYC - Part 2]
For the uninitiated, entering the belly of the beast in New York City can be quite a shock!
You have to be willing to deal with the filth and decay that goes part and parcel with a New York subway system, sections of which date back to the early part of the 20th century.
Not that the entire subway system is that old, but a large portion of it sure does appear that way.
Then there's the noise (we're talking deafening at times), the crowds (we're talking sardine-packing at times), and the not-so-glamorous bathrooms.
You also have to navigate your way through ticket machines, turnstyles, platforms, and the generally confusing layout that encompasses the underground world of trains.
Finally, there are the many unsavory characters who frequent (or live) underground, some of whom seize every opportunity to prey on the unsuspecting and gullible.
Attention please, this subway car is sponsored by ...
For example, in two of our three subway trips, our car was accompanied by someone trying to collect money. It's like they take over your subway car and become the entire focal point of the trip until either you, or they get off the train.
The first encounter was rather tame. It was a man playing a ukulele (and very poorly I might add) and continually asking for money. No one offered up, just a lot of dead silence and looking the other way. But at least this guy was somewhat humble and soft spoken.
The second encounter, was a little more stressful. A large and somewhat intimidating young man was claiming to be a 17-year-old homeless person that didn't do drugs. Ok, maybe that was true, although you'd typically have no way to validate his claim.
This person was much more "in-your-face" and his demands were more forceful. He was actually starting to get a little agitated that no one was offering up any cash. Let's just say that our train stop couldn't come fast enough!
From what I've heard, the real troubles can sometimes happen late at night if you're unlucky enough to be stuck on a subway car with several or more panhandlers who are working in tandem.
It's all good
But there are goods things too, even in the subway. There's quite a bit of nice artwork and also street musicians, many of which are quite talented. Although you may not believe it, most New Yorkers are extremely helpful to tourists and those unfamiliar with the city.
And it's quite a life experience just knowing that you braved it in the belly of the beast in New York City!!!
Making a buck
I get it that there are many people who are struggling to make a living in this day and age. And it's sad and it should make you be thankful for all that you have.
I also feel that people have a right to "choose" how to help their fellow man and not have it dictated in any kind of a forceful manner. All I can say is that if you are the type of person who can't say no, you better make sure to bring lots of spare change with you if you visit a city like New York.
Long Weekend in NYC Series
As a quick recap, this past Friday morning my wife and I took a long weekend and took the train into Manhattan to spend a few nights in the Big Apple and head to the Dawes concert at the Beacon Theater on Friday evening. The @steemit posts in this series showcase some of our adventures.
Here are links to the other @steemit posts in this series:
Walking from New York Penn Station though one of the concourses that lead to the subway tracks. We took the 1 Broadway–Seventh Avenue Local to 79th and Broadway, which let us out two blocks from our hotel.
Ditto.
Ditto.
Stairway chat.
A violinist who was actually quite good (stage right), and a guy doing tai chi (stage left).
Turnstyles, which can be a little tricky to navigate when you've got luggage in tow and are sharing a single metro card that needs to be passed back and forth!
The waiting game at the 79th Street (IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line).
Our hotel: the NYLO. Strategically chosen for its close proximity to the 79th Street subway station and the Beacon Theater where we saw a Dawes concert this past Friday night.
The First Baptist Church in the City of New York which was at 79th and Broadway right across from the subway station.
79th Street (IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line), headed to
Times Square 42nd Street Station.
Ditto.
Ditto.
Ditto.
Ditto.
Many of the subway stations have some nice old mosaic inserts.
A colorful ceramic tile mosaic in Times Square Station entitled The Return of Spring - by Jack Beal.
A YouTube video showcasing some of the ceramic plaques inset into the glass block passageway in the Times Square 42nd Street Station by Toby Buonagurio:
Toby Buonagurio.
Toby Buonagurio.
Toby Buonagurio.
"Times Square Mural" Subway Art by Roy Lichtenstein
I was immediately struck by the demon that I saw in this marble-covered wall in Times Square Station. Bears a resemblance to the leading image of this post.
All images (except as noted below) @cognoscere and taken on March 10 - 12th, 2017 in NYC. (Sony RX100 V)
That's a lot of great images of the city! I especially like your hotel, the tile mosaic, and the empty subway tracks. There's so much going on in a big city. Glad you had a good time!
Yeah, we had a great time, walked literally a little over 20 miles, and saw lots of cool places. Grand Central Terminal is awesome and puts NY Penn Station to shame. NY Public Library is also cool, especially the Rose Reading room. And we urban-hiked quite a bit in Central Park.
It sounds great! I've never been to NYC. Newark airport and an overnight hotel stay in Jamaica, NY. But not NYC. It must be something! Have you seen the High Line Trail? I've read some about it and that sounds like a good thing the city is doing.
Yes, we've been on the High Line before. It is really cool and gives you a good vantage point. We're planning on going again once everything is alive. The gardens up there are pretty cool!
That will make for some nice posts. It seems like a cool trail -- a great thing for the city.
Nice view into the NY underground....seems like it can be scary and very cool!
Thanks @lrich, more cool than scary for sure!!!
Great post and photos. Looks like a fun trip, thanks for sharing the joys of the underground as well. The artwork is beautiful.
I worked in NYC a few years back, and being there is definitely a trip. The subway is a real people watching place. I've always wanted to see the stuff BELOW the subway. Supposed to be a whole sub-terrainian world down there. But you can't get down to see it. Though you may not survive if you DID get there, as crazy as the parts you saw get sometimes.
No thanks on going below the subway, that could be a terrifying experience being amongst all the filth and the rats!!! They should make a reality TV show that does stuff like that ;-)
It would take a strong composition. Maybe there is already a show on this, I am not that tuned in. Thanks for sharing your adventures.