We took the A train to the S shuttle, walked at least 100 miles under ground and stomped up, oh... 20 flights of stairs, then saw the sunshine...started walking again, outside on the sunny side of the amazing city streets.
Next?
Okay, in order to visit a fabulous bookstore we then walked to the 6 Train station, riding to Brooklyn Bridge, then back uptown to Spring Street and yes, climbed some more stairs...it was a great bookstore.
Time to go home!
Simple, just retrace our steps, grab the 6 Train at Spring Street to Union Square/14th Street. We did just that and then walked way downstairs and got on the L Shuttle and rode west to the Eighth Avenue station. There we transferred to the A Train -- during rush hour. We did let one train pass as a few shorter women fell out, gasping for air--really--one almost fell at my feet coughing and sputtering before recovering and dashing away for her next train.
Let me explain. When seated on a subway train, oxygen is fine, air flows freely around mid-thigh level in a mass of humanity. That is unless it is mid-winter and everyone is dressed in five layers including boots, scarves, hoodies and thermals. What no real New Yorker will tell you, (but of course I will because I'm a bit of a sneak) is that everyone carries a 30 minute air supply tank strapped to one arm. That is the true origin of the term "strap hanger." (30 minutes will not cover the normal hour ride for a 4 mile trip, but one expects that the doors will open periodically allowing fresh air to waft in.)
It has never been proven however it has been suggested that the Delta airline personnel who developed the in-flight personal overhead oxygen emergency supply system was a long time strap hanger from Queens.
So it is fairly simple to spot newbies; they are the ones gasping for air as they fall out of subway cars. If they are short and standing they literally cannot breath when the cars are packed. There is no air at that level. If they are sitting, they have a chance. But the likelihood of available sitting in rush hour is very unlikely.
A general rule of thumb is to remember your oxygen comes in three levels. Level one (fine and you are sitting so an asthma attack is satisfactory) level two (breathable unless you are under five feet and without protective shoulder padding) and level three (best, except that heat rises but who cares, you are getting off at the next station).
And that is our New York Minute for the day.
Back to me!
Ah, riding the Subway from 14th Street to 207 Street standing face-to-face with humanity after a long day. Everyone is thinking about how wonderful a refreshing shower will be when they get home.
That very thought is what gets me through the next three flight of stairs and up to my entry way. My shower awaits. And then it hits me. To shower, I have to stand. Forget it.
Next?
Okay, in order to visit a fabulous bookstore we then walked to the 6 Train station, riding to Brooklyn Bridge, then back uptown to Spring Street and yes, climbed some more stairs...it was a great bookstore.
Time to go home!
Simple, just retrace our steps, grab the 6 Train at Spring Street to Union Square/14th Street. We did just that and then walked way downstairs and got on the L Shuttle and rode west to the Eighth Avenue station. There we transferred to the A Train -- during rush hour. We did let one train pass as a few shorter women fell out, gasping for air--really--one almost fell at my feet coughing and sputtering before recovering and dashing away for her next train.
Let me explain. When seated on a subway train, oxygen is fine, air flows freely around mid-thigh level in a mass of humanity. That is unless it is mid-winter and everyone is dressed in five layers including boots, scarves, hoodies and thermals. What no real New Yorker will tell you, (but of course I will because I'm a bit of a sneak) is that everyone carries a 30 minute air supply tank strapped to one arm. That is the true origin of the term "strap hanger." (30 minutes will not cover the normal hour ride for a 4 mile trip, but one expects that the doors will open periodically allowing fresh air to waft in.)
It has never been proven however it has been suggested that the Delta airline personnel who developed the in-flight personal overhead oxygen emergency supply system was a long time strap hanger from Queens.
So it is fairly simple to spot newbies; they are the ones gasping for air as they fall out of subway cars. If they are short and standing they literally cannot breath when the cars are packed. There is no air at that level. If they are sitting, they have a chance. But the likelihood of available sitting in rush hour is very unlikely.
A general rule of thumb is to remember your oxygen comes in three levels. Level one (fine and you are sitting so an asthma attack is satisfactory) level two (breathable unless you are under five feet and without protective shoulder padding) and level three (best, except that heat rises but who cares, you are getting off at the next station).
And that is our New York Minute for the day.
Back to me!
Ah, riding the Subway from 14th Street to 207 Street standing face-to-face with humanity after a long day. Everyone is thinking about how wonderful a refreshing shower will be when they get home.
That very thought is what gets me through the next three flight of stairs and up to my entry way. My shower awaits. And then it hits me. To shower, I have to stand. Forget it.
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