Alone in New York City

This post is part how-to, part a revisiting of my recent trek to NYC. 

That's right friends. I spent an entire blistery January day alone in the foreboding New York, New York, the Big Apple! Okay I'm done. I would feature my cool original photos from the day but I was too busy trying to not look like a tourist to take any pictures, sorry.

New York : The Journey 

I had applied to a variety of jobs, one of which being in New York City. To my delightful surprise I was asked to interview for this job. Seeking the opportunity at hand, I agreed to the interview and so began my adventure.

After three days of no sleep (don't ask) I got myself up and about around 5:00 am EST. I woke up my sweet, darling, father and asked him kindly if he wouldn't mind driving me to Trenton so I could take the train to New York as I hadn't slept in three days, and he obliged. My darling father not only dropped me off but waited with me at the platform for the train to arrive. After all it's not ever day your baby girl goes to the city that never sleeps (pun intended) all by her lonesome.

Until this point - I faked an air of confidence in my ability to navigate this city by myself. I did so to appease a mother who, as good intentioned as she is, can be a bit neurotic when it comes to things like this. Therefore, it wasn't until I was actually on the train that I began to feel a tinge of anxiety. The kind that creeps down your neck and plants itself just under your ribs, simultaneously constricting the muscles in your stomach.

However I quickly brushed those feelings aside and soon the rocking of the train soothed me into a half sleep; the kind of sleep where you are resting and yet entirely aware of your surroundings. It's the type of sleep one can only achieve on trains, buses, and the like.

It was not until I was off the train at 34th Street Station that I quickly realized this wasn't Kansas anymore (so I used a Wizard of Oz reference, get over it). The panic I felt at this point was slightly different to the panic I felt on the train. This is the kind of panic that hits you out of nowhere at 70 miles an hour like an invisible car. It's the kind of panic that catches your breath and makes you stand still because it's all you can do not to collapse and cry at how pitiful you are. But after a moment I said sternly to myself in my best Clint Eastwood voice, "You have two options here: freak out and go home, or grow up and go to your freakin interview" and so I chose the latter.

This leads me to my next point:

 How To Survive a Day Alone in New York City

• Walk with a purpose - they can smell fear. 
• Don't look up at all the tall buildings. You will have tourist written all over you.
• Get and [discreetly] use the map app on your smart phone - otherwise, if you're directionally challenged you're screwed. 
•  You will not figure out the subway at first, but bless your heart you'll try. Once you've gotten on the wrong train a few times, suck it up and ask a nice looking stranger for directions. Otherwise you'll end up in Brooklyn. 
• Even after a kind stranger gives you directions, you'll still get on the subway going the wrong way. Don't cry, that's what you've got your metro card for. Just get off at the next stop and try again (the other way this time).
• While waiting around at a Starbucks try not to spill coffee all over the counter space the nice barista just wiped clean. She won't smile at you after.
• Enjoy your free time, walk around, explore-- but don't do so too recklessly, otherwise you'll find yourself in a sketchier neighborhood than you expected to be in. Just refer back to your smart phone, and again, walk with a purpose - they smell fear. 
• Don't touch the shoes in the PUMA store. Seriously. An entire display of sneaks you cannot afford will collapse onto the floor.
• Try not to worry too much about what you're wearing, especially on Fashion Ave. There will always be someone better dressed than you, and they'll be too into how good they look to notice how you look in your dress pants with sneakers get up.(Again, don't ask). 
• Refrain the urge you have to talk to New Yorkers in public. Just don't talk to them-- ever. They won't talk back.
• If everyone is running after an express train that you aren't entirely sure goes to your stop, fight the impulse to hop on. It could take you to your stop, but it also could not.
• Pray. Often. 

That's all folks. That is how one survives a day in New York City. I have beta tested this plan and I came out alright.

Even though I spent the day alone, and at some points I spent the day scared and alone, I came home with an overwhelming feeling of conquering something massive. I did something that scared the crap out of me, and I survived.

Maybe going to a big city by yourself doesn't make you want to pee your pants, but what is your New York City? What is the thing you are afraid to do but know you have to face? When are you going to decide to conquer it?

To not only facing, but kicking the butts of your fears,

K