Some of my most interesting experiences
and learnings thus far have undoubtedly been in the underground subway system.
It took me only ONE day of deterring slightly off course and having to walk an
extra 20 minutes for not being able to find the connecting train, to conquer
the subway system, and now that my heart has started to beat a little slower, I
can sit back and take in what’s really going on down there…
From the second I set foot into my first underground on Tuesday, my eyes have been like saucers, taking in everything the place has to offer. The people and goings on in this city are an actor’s DREAM! Everything we see and hear about New Yorkers back at home is EXACTLY how they speak and behave, and I have found it fascinating to observe these people who seem as though they are from another planet.
From the second I set foot into my first underground on Tuesday, my eyes have been like saucers, taking in everything the place has to offer. The people and goings on in this city are an actor’s DREAM! Everything we see and hear about New Yorkers back at home is EXACTLY how they speak and behave, and I have found it fascinating to observe these people who seem as though they are from another planet.
The soda pop Yankees hats
with head scarves underneath them (never quite worked out what those are for),
the business men, the born-and-raised Bronx inhabitants whose warm, resonant New
York accents make you forget just how hardcore they really are, the blue-collar
workers, the musos, students, foreigners, kids… These are some of the types of
people I encounter on a daily basis. The other day, I met a Puerto Rican artist
(Ian Rios) who was more than willing to show me his artwork (and other things
of his, I’m sure!) and give me his number, just because he saw me staring bewilderedly
at my person-sized subway map. People here are so uninhibited too. Whether it’s
swearing (“Watch it, asshole” is not an uncommon phrase to be heard in these
parts), mask-wearing or singing randomly in public, the Americans seem to have
far less “mind-talk” than South Africans when it comes to what they say, wear
and do.
Just this morning, I was
sitting peacefully staring at my newest unsuspecting victim, when a chorus
burst into song! Out of nowhere came these rich, powerful voices that
immediately brought a grin to my face. They were so vibrant and melodious that it
saddened me that this talent was not being put to better use. I mean, if Paris
Hilton can make it as a singer, why can’t they?!
If that wasn’t good enough,
I entered the subway later this evening, sick, tired and sore after a long day
of exploring, and there before my eyes (and ears) were a group of exceptionally
talented men break dancing in the middle of the station – WHAT JOY! The only
requirement was that we had to clap.
The conversations you hear
on these trains are also hilarious. From exes getting married, to illegitimate
children to plotting revenge against ex roommates; one can learn a lot about
people just by being a fly on their wall.
It’s not all sunshine and
roses though. Most of the stations smell like urine (you stop noticing it until
you try to eat or drink something and realize how off-putting it is) and one
can tend to feel rather stuffy and claustrophobic, not to mention the length of
time it takes to get anywhere; but the subway system is definitely my favourite
way to people watch!
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