commuting
December 2006 
NYC Subways
Posted on Aug 31st, 2006
by 
jess
jess
Today was my first day back.
I am exhausted.
I don't know if it was work (I don't think so) or the commute home, which took two hours. I made friends on the train with a man who inspired me with stories about his life and the obstacles he overcame and continued to struggle with. I was sitting with my Gandhi book out, trying to read, and he was being kindhearted. I was tired of talking but it was nice to connect with someone in person on a NYC subway. I love to meet new people and it doesn't usually happen in that context, even though I ride the subway with tons of strangers everyday. Those of you who live in NYC (or have) know what I mean. How often do you make friends with a random stranger?
Those of you who don't know, I don't know how to explain the phenomenon of millions of people determinedly not speaking to each other every day in very close quarters. It can be peaceful but also sometimes it makes me feel a bit strange about humans and the claim people often make about us being social beings.
Access: PublicTagged with: NYC, subways, socializing, strangers, making friends, talking, commuting, public transportation
I know exactly what you mean, It amazes that you can be all alone (or so it seems) in the midst of all those people. My former fiance’ was originally from NYC so I made a lot of trips to NYC and rode the subway everywhere. People do everything humanly possible to ignore you. While there I attempted to strike up conversations with people which just horrified my ex (I guess that is just one of many reasons we did not get married). I managed with a few people and did meet some amazing people. Thanks for this lovely entry.