It was essentially the beginning of a horror movie. Honestly, I'm still surprised we made it out alive. I feel like as three white girls in the big city, we would have been the first to go. So here is what happened.
It's Saturday. Around 6 in the morning Jess and I wake up to an alarm going off. Well, Jess wakes up to the alarm, which turns out to be an alarm clock, and I'm desperately shaken awake to figure out what it is (I don't remember this). But the alarm situation is handled for about five minutes before we both wake up to the second one. Once it's shut off for good, sleep is attempted once more. We need our energy for our day ful of adventures! Well, before we get back to sleep there is SCREAMING! It sounds like a woman screaming, shrieking maybe, at the top of her lungs. In my sleepy stupor I vaguely remember looks of horror. The first scream was quickly proceeded by howling. Just the wind.
I would just like to say, I am fairly certain we spend the majority of that day in a small tornado. It was the windiest day I have ever experienced in my life. But we bravely ventured out into weather that got Dorothy trapped in Oz. We made it to our first destination. Century 21. Discount designer department store. I only mention this, since it has little relevance in the overall story, because of the fantastic Dolce and Gabbana dresses we found (please note my sarcasm). Each of these dresses was worth near or over $1,000 at a heavily discounted price.
Now I know everyone is probably very shocked that we did not purchase these fine garments. Unfortunately we had no circuses to attend in the near future, never mind the fact we're all essentially broke. So, striking out shopping we continue on. To the Park!
There was no frolicking in Central Park or joyously wandering the streets. Instead we walked with our heads down, trying to keep our ears warm as we shoved past people to find shelter in the nearest coffee house (I bought water), toy store, clothing store (well, we had to shop a little) or bar.
Now, the twins and Steph were meeting us that evening and were scheduled to arrive back in Jersey City (where we were staying) at 5:30. Being responsible (and cold) at 4 o'clock we headed to the subway, prepared to take the R train back to the stop we got it at this morning, so we could hop on the Path train and be home without much problem. Well, except for killer winds.
So, we get on the R train and we're cruising along. I have a brief panic attack that we took the train the wrong direction because a sign keeps flashing 95th street, but we soon start seeing familiar stops. We make it to Canal Street, which is a mere two stops before our destination. The train starts up again and we're off. Suddenly we're above ground and there is a moment where Jess, Allison and I look at each other. Did we travel above ground earlier in the day? No. No we did not. We're being taken hostage by the subway! There was discussion about how if this was it we weren't going down without a fight, and we were surveying the other passengers to see if it came to it, who would have to be killed and eaten first. Finally though, the train stopped. It had taken us to some unknown, horrible place. DeKalb Street. Essentially, we were doomed.
The man across from us was trying to help us, he'd been pointing out earlier stops. He lived in New York. He also didn't really speak much English. Well, when the train finally stops, he tells us we have to get off and get another train back. We listen, so does the rest of the train. We all file out and shuffle across the platform to the otherside, assuming another R train will come and pick us up to take us back. I'm sure you're guessing by now, it never came.
This is where the horror movie begins. Really, it had all the necessary components: an underground subway station, naive American girls, foreigners, frat boys and some southerns. Oh, and trains. It was dark and cold and it appeared that there was no way out. The escalator took you to a barred entrance and a brick wall. There was no 24 hour attendant like the sign said. We had no signals on our cell phones. No 3G! It was only a matter of time before impending doom was upon us. And after 30 minutes of waiting, when our new foreign friend finally gave up and abandoned ship, we knew all hope was lost.
And then! A bright light at the end of the tunnel! Okay, just kidding. Because that would have meant the train was coming. Instead, we desperately followed our foreign friend and miracle, upon miracles he led us to THE OTHER SIDE! There was a whole other platform! One that had actual trains coming to it! Or so we hoped. And he didn't lead us wrong. Well, not fully. We hopped on a Q train and headed all the way back to where we started only to head all the way back. Our friend finally left us after telling us which stop to get off at with a brief "I go now." We did make it back to Jersey City, only to face the terrible wind, nearly be hit in the head by a box and street sign. Really, we are lucky to be alive. Damn you, DeKalb Street.
Since this one event has taken up enough words for the entire weekend, I will stop here, and just say the rest of the trip went rather well. There was delicious pizza (John's Pizza on 44th Street, I highly recommend it!), and there was fun adventures in the East Village drinking with Chris as our fearless tour guide.
My advice to anyone visiting NYC soon, beware the unannounced subway track changes. They'll getcha.
Oh, and by the way, Barbie. Ken wants you back.
