Wow, I’ve always been a person with a bad sense of direction, but this weekend truly put me to the test. Yesterday, I went into the city to meet up with my college friends for this big birthday bash. From the get go, I had trouble getting to my friend’s apartment in the Upper Eastside. My dad took me to Flushing so I could catch the 7 and then get on the 4,5 or 6 at Grand Central. Fate definitely wasn’t on my side. It turns out the 7 was only running up to Queensborough Plaza. I got off there. I was lucky to have an alternate route. I would take the N to 53rd St and then switch to the 4,5 or 6 uptown. At that time, I didn’t realize that the express trains (4,5) stopped at 86th Street. Turns out that there were no local trains at the 53rd St station. I asked an MTA worker about what I should do and he told me to take the express trains to 86th Street. At that point I was relieved to find out this good piece of news. I then took a bus to go further east. I get off at the right stop and then I look for my friend’s address. It didn’t exist! I then call her again and ask where for her address. I was also confused because I didn’t recognize the street. We finally figured out that I was on the wrong street. Haha!

Today, I was heading back to the island and I decided to save money and use the City Ticket, which basically allows you to travel from Manhattan to anywhere in Queens on the weekend for $2.50. That’s only fifty cents more than the subway! I called my mom and told her I’d be getting off a stop earlier. Since this was the first time I was getting off in Little Neck, I wasn’t really sure what the station looked like. I got off right after Bayside, thinking I was right, but it turns out it was the Douglaston station. This station is tiny with no bus or even any cabs. I called my mom and told her about my mistake. She told me to find out how to get to the Little Neck station. I decided to go check out a deli and ask someone there. I go in and explain my situation. I asked where Northern Boulevard is and he tells me it’s pretty close. A customer overhears me and offers to take me to the Little Neck station. I was a bit confused but then I thought he was probably a nice guy and he was with his daughter, so he must not be dangerous. I called my mom and told her that someone offered to take me to the station and she said NO WAY! I think the man heard my mom screaming on the phone. After I got off with her, I told him that I was going to meet her and thanks a lot for offering. Haha.

Wait, this story is NOT over yet. I get to the intersection where my mom and I agreed to meet. It turns out to be a very busy intersection and lucky for me, my cell phone battery died! I thought I would never find my mom. I spotted a nearby pay phone and then realized I didn’t know my mom’s cell number since I rarely call her because her phone is never on! I decide to call my dad, and while I was trying to give him my location, I see a gray Camry pass me by. I got excited and followed it into a CVS parking lot and then I saw the license plate, and I knew it was my mom! How lucky am I? There are like 230958 Camrys that look just like my mom’s car and I found hers! I was so happy. :giggle:

So the lesson of the day? Keep your phone charged and don’t take rides from strangers. Also, ask someone before you get off the train what stop it is. Otherwise you might just get into the same mess as I did. Continue reading →