Peoples is Peoples

Happy Birthday, James!  In honor of your birthday, I will blog about trains.

Life has been pretty busy over the past month and a half - and surprisingly enough, I still like it here.  It's hard to explain to anyone back home, but it really isn't all that different.  As Pete told Kermit, "Peoples is peoples."  If you scooped out all of the "peoples" living in New York right now and replaced them with a bunch of Minnesotans, it would still be the same.  I mean, granted, it wouldn't be quite as diverse... but people would still shove their way through crowds.  People would still listen to their music too loud, and they would still beg for money.  Peoples is peoples... these peoples just happen to be a little grumpier because their feet hurt from all of the walking.

(I have yet to remember to set my pedometer in the morning to give you an accurate picture of exactly what it takes to commute in the morning, but one of these days I'll get to that.)



The subway is an interesting way to study the city.  During one of my visits last year, Andy and I went to a bar / show in Williamsburg, where I was first introduced to the "hipsters" in their natural habitat.  Stepping off of the L at Bedford Avenue is like stepping into a circus.  People play harmonicas on the train.  Three-quarters of the men are wearing fedoras or suspenders (or both) and the women look like they couldn't pick a favorite decade and decided to throw them all together into one outfit.  I once got on the L coming in from Manhattan and I was literally surrounded by clowns.  Red squeaky noses and all.  I have a feeling there may have been some sort of clown training workshop that had just let out, or perhaps it was one of those obscure holidays that people make up so they can act like fools in public, but either way, I was entertained / disturbed.  (A few of them broke out into song at one point... that was just annoying.)

I love exploring this city.  I've found that the more destinations I give myself to go out and find, the easier it is to make connections between everything.  I haven't gotten lost in months... (knock on wood).  On the contrary, I've actually given directions to a number of people.  (Those of you who know me are probably laughing right now.)

Anyhow, I'll have to investigate some more neighborhoods and find some more material.  :)

Malice