The New York Subway system is a world class transit system. It is relatively easy to navigate, goes most everywhere and appears to be clean and safe. We've seen signs a a couple of stations advising about rat infestations, though we haven't seen any. World class.
Compared to MetroVancouver's four lines and 68.7km of routes, NYC has 34 lines covering over 375 km and 421 stations. Some of the lines are old, the track uneven and unsteady. Like an amusement ride. Begun in 1904 some of the stations appear to be as old as that too. Some of the trains have a Canadian connection, built by Bombardier in Quebec and New York.
Carrying over 5.5 million passengers every weekday, the trains are crowded yet congenial and in true New York fashion, if you pull out a map it won't be a moment until someone asks to help.
It helps to know where you are going, but part of the adventure is the going and journeying into the light of day. Or the edge of night as the case might be.
Photos by Jim Murray.
Copyright 2014.
And there's something about never parking too close to a fire hydrant too. And on top of a solid yellow line.
In spite of that population density, and the fact that about 54 million international and domestic tourists will visit NYC this year (it sometimes feels as though they're all here now), the city, outside of the tourist district, is surprisingly open and quiet. This is an amazing place.
Family owned, Delany's offers a nice atmosphere and a neighbourhood feel. Our visit to Dundarave, over this Easter weekend meant a bit of a seasonal theme in the store: pink rabbits, easter balloons and other paraphernalia. Stuffed animals and coffee shops are not compatible. However, the coffee here makes it worthwhile.
There's a Starbucks next door to Delany's, and that would be a mistake. Instead a traditional macchiato and then a brisk walk along the sea wall, then back to Delany's for an encore. Just ignore the stuffed animals.