Another New York Subway Story

We stood on the platform for the 1 train watching Number 2 and 3 trains come in and out of the station. Where is the Number 1 train? The local traveling with us said “sometimes you have to just get on a train and they will tell you if something is wrong, so maybe we should just get on whatever train comes next.” Just then a 2 train rolls in and as we get on the announcer says ” The 1 train is not running between 14th street and 96th Street. To go to the Bronx please take the 2 or 3 to 96th street and switch to the 1″

Why can’t they announce that on the platform?

Word of Advice: If you are traveling in New York and were told to get on a particular subway train that is not showing up at that station, get on a train that shares the next stop with the train you are hoping to take. They might just tell you why your train has not come.

Getting lost after walking out of NYC Subway

I often use public transportation in major cities like New York and Washington DC to get to locations I want to review. Unfortunately being somewhat directionally challenged that often gets me lost since I rarely know which exit to take at my designated stop or which direction to walk when I come above ground. On the way to my appointment at Dashing Diva Salon at 8th Street and University Place in New York I called to make sure that I had the directions correct. I was told to take the N or R train downtown from 34th street to 8th street. So we did that only the problem is that there are two exits at 8th street (8th Street and Waverly Place and 8th Street and Broadway). He never told me which exit!!!!

So we did the total tourist thing and asked someone. Luckily we were blessed to ask a friendly local who told us to take the Waverly exit. So we did! But above ground we realized our problems were not over. Do you walk right or left down the street? Is this 8th street or is it Waverly Place? Of course we walked the wrong way several times and ended up having to walk back to where we were.

Word of Advice: Always ask for exit information if someone gives you subway directions. And don’t forget to ask which direction to walk when you come above ground. It will save you the embarassment of having to pass the same street vendor multiple times because you are so turned around! Not that it has ever happened to me.