DAY 1
So as an avid traveler you would think that I have taken every known mode of transportation, however, I must admit that I have never taken a train in the U.S. I have internationally but not at home!!! My adventure started with my departure to Union Station. My dad decided to drive me there; however, the GPS had a mind of its own and couldn't decide which route to send us. Luckily, between the two of us we made it! I get to the station, and a random lady comes close to me and I step back, and she states "I thought that backpack was mine" because she had one just like it! She later walks next to me and says, "be careful, the zipper might break it did on mine!" So, I just smiled and thanked her and looked for the train station, and to my pleasant surprise, I found a sign that said "Train Station." Who would have known?!?!?! Ingenious! Even more ingenious... the doors were locked. I go into Union Station and asked to be pointed into the right direction. I got my tickets from a pleasant woman. Amtrak had the atmosphere similar to that of an airport minus the security check points and nice carpeted sitting areas. However, the waiting in lines to board didn't change. The train’s business class was divided by the quiet zones and non quiet zones! So which one did Trob pick!?!?' The quiet zone! Yup you heard me, I was quiet! And, to my surprise, I got to pick whichever seat I wanted so I got one with a nice table. I read and took a nap, but, there was a man with his wife that was sitting in the booth next to mine who kept looking over at me!! So, the nap didn't go over too well.
Then the PA system somehow broke so I couldn't hear if my stop was being called and I asked the lady in front of me who stated we are in New Jersey, so I assumed next stop... NY and I was right! I get to NY; don't know which way to exit, so I just go left... I go up the stairs and brrrrrrrr... I was happy my mom suggested the rain coat versus just the hoodie! I take out my gps phone, and it told me the way to go, and I was going in the right direction, based on the phone, but when I hit time square, I was a little concerned... So I kept walking with my two backpacks, until I managed to hail down (literally, cause no one would stop) a taxi. The gentleman, my taxi driver, was quite nice. He called my hotel to get directions, so he could take a fast route and not overcharge me. The hotel, kept putting him on hold, and he was wondering how I got the hotel! I told him I selected it through work! He said they were rude! He managed to get directions...and we started chatting. He is from Haiti, and he learned that I love to travel, cheaply but all over. He asked if I was ever interested in "settling down" and I said "not right now." He told me my GPS was taking me the long route of making me take a circle/or a "U". We pass my hotel but realize that the roads are all blocked, guess why, due to "CONSTRUCTION!!!!" No joke, I can't ever escape it. So he pulled to the side of the road and I walked the 1/2 a second to my hotel. And, they gave me an unexpected joy of an upgrade. My room has a balcony, queen, maybe king size bed, and whirlpool bath tub! I dropped my stuff, and took a walk to figure out where training will be tomorrow at 8:30!!! So, I walk, walk some more, keep walking, and then end up at Chatham Street, which I realize was a place that I was trying to find with another person when I was in NY in 2010. And, then I saw all the places where we were getting lost at to find Chatham Street. I loved Chatham Street because, well, it is like a melting pot of Asian culture. I found a Chinese Martial Arts Studio, Korean Food, Japanese Food, Chinese Food, Vietnamese Food, mmmm yes! I FELT AT HOME! With all the familiarity, I got lost trying to find the street my training was on, and asked a young lady, who showed me, and I figured, eh... I'll turn around, it's only 1/2 a mile down. I turn around... now the hotel staff had told me of some restaurants near by, but I didn't like them... Let me tell you FYI, the hotel seems to be in the middle of nowhere, but with a little bit of walking it is a fun night in the town! I went around trying to find places, and found an Indian Restaurant, nope no immediate service, Vietnamese was back near training, nope, no go, then I found a BBQ Place and walked in and actually ended up in the kitchen or butchery, I think, nope.... no go. Then I found the actually BBQ got some food! Now, I wanted to watch a movie and eat the food, and yet again, the joys of having technology proves to fail... cause where they told me the movie theatre was does not exist... so, I went to my hotel, relaxed, watched movies there..took a whirlpool bath, and slept at 1. Now why 1?!?! I was looking at where to train (work-out training) and how to get there! OH! and I called family to let them know I was in town, texted friends, you know :)
DAY 2
The joys of NY... Smelling the smoke from cars and trucks driving by or the subway craziness.... all the commotional joys of a city...I didn't want to get out of the warmth of my bed, my room was freezing!!!! But, off I went into the blistering cold, again! Now, I almost have to be careful of how I walk, because I was so inquisitive of the culture of New York that I would run into people. Pedestrians, including myself, don't follow pedestrian laws (they just walk when it is clear- I am at home). Children, have their McDonald Drinks, teens and adults, coffee. People are walking in a hurry, bike riding, or driving. There is a cop at every intersection, directing every mode of traffic, even though the traffic lights worked perfectly... I finally get to the street I have my training at, and walk, and walk, and walk, and walk, and then go to a pharmacy store to get gloves, and then I find the building! The area on aging building, had security guards and looked at our i.d., took our pictures, and then let us in. AND, not every elevator goes to every floor, so there was a specific elevator for us!!!!!!!!! AND, the bathroom had a code that we needed to enter... it felt like a jail setting, very ominous.
I brought an apple and nuts for breakfast and tried to eat the lunch provided. And, then two people I met at training stated I can join them for a walk and we found a cute little coffee/bakery place. They made hot cocoa I could drink and my new friends treated me to it, and later on I found out they had VEGAN cookies! The people at training are very fun and interesting, and I'm learning a lot from them... however, I feel very very explicitly young, but that is just fine, because it only means that there is plenty of wisdom to learn from. The program is very focused on exercise (YAAAAAA) and is spiritually based (LOVE IT)! Tomorrow, I get to present a session, and I'm teaching it with someone from Philadelphia that I connected with who started her own organization to empower woman. Everyone is very inspirational in their own way. I walked back to the hotel, same atmosphere as going except people are going home now...or kids are having fun... it seemed shorter! I changed and left to train! So, we had to make an action plan in the workshop, and mine was obviously to train. So I asked a participant, from NY, on how to get to the location via walking and subway. Can, I just say 2.8 miles felt like 13.... I tried to ask a woman if I was in the right direction, cut off, she was too busy, so I asked some police officers if I was in the right direction toward China Town-they said YES! Good thing I turned around; I was going South instead of North at first. And, on Broadway Street I was, walking, walking, and some more, I was also trying to find the movie theatre that my hotel staff told me was there. Anyways, I was still on Broadway, and finally ask a guy, who states I'm 20 minutes from 14th street, so I walk and walk, and then ask another guy, who says 5 to 6 blocks. I passed China Town, Noho, Soho (all places I had tried to find in 2010). Finally 14th street! I FOUND WHOLE FOODS!!!! Yaaaa :).... Then I walk down, where I kept confusing 6th Avenue from 6th street which was apparent when I asked a sweet girl who just smiled and confirmed if I meant Street or Avenue. So now, I get to the destination... can't find the school, call the school, who for like 10 minutes are trying to direct me, and I finally see the little, old, brown, tiny sign, next to my feet. I walk up to the 4th floor. Show respect to the master, who recognizes that I train, and teaches me and another guy, who is a freshman at NYU (darn!), privately. It was very much self-defense oriented. Then I asked a lady for a way to get back, because I didn't' want to walk an hour and a half back at 8:00 PM. I was hungry and it was cold. So she explained how to get to the next subway and what to do. Number 2 or 3, I took 3 and asked and Indian guy and a girl if my stop was one of the stops and it was! The Indian guy was somewhat apprehensive in his response, the girl was certain. I get off, walk down the street, get the Indian Food I was craving... called Colleen, who said she had scheduled me to co-facilitate already, and you know I was delighted to already be set to co-facilitate in March! Called my parents to let them know that I made it back alive and hungry! On the way back to the hotel, I saw a guy setting out movies, and I asked if he will be there tomorrow, and he just looked at me, and smiled, and I said I will be back! hahahaha So, now to studying and attempting to sleep, if I can ever wind down!!!! Till the adventures of tomorrow, Trob is signing out!!!
Day 3
I forgot to mention yesterday that after training, I walked into my room, only to realize that it had been tampered with. I was a little worried, as I didn't request for room service to come in. After surveying the area, I realized that while I hadn't requested the room service, it had been provided. I also had to ask for a blanket Sunday night, because none were available, and it was toooooo cold! But, on Monday, I figured out how to use the heat :)... Now to Tuesday
So, I get up today, feeling rushed and in a hurry to ensure that I reach my workshop on time, at 8:30 AM. I walk on over, and when I get to the place; the door to the hallway leading to our room is locked. The same security guards checked my i.d. and took a picture, again... A wonderful elderly lady and I conversed as we waited for someone to let us in. The first person, a male, said he could not let us in. The second person was the same lady from yesterday who had let me in, and she remembered me, and hence let me in again. I was early, the first one there, and I couldn't figure out the lights so I just chilled in the dark and silence... it was peaceful. I was informed that I actually didn't need to get in till 9 AM. Today we presented, and it was a lot of fun to see how people handle different situations and present and get feedback! I have found that I have a hard time sitting still for too long, then again, I already knew that, I just think it is reaffirmed every time I am required to sit for extended periods of time! After teaching, we got our second teaching assignment. We had one of the easier first assignments so the 2nd assignment required a little more of us …My partner and I made the necessary preparations and then I walked back to my hotel, changed and then went to the Fulton Subway. While I love the idea of a 1.5 hour walk, I preferred to take the subway, as I would still get at least a 30 minute walk and I would get to class on time! So, of I went to class... I asked which direction to take the subway and had to go uptown. When I got to my destination, I was a tad bit lost cause well I didn’t know which direction to exit, but once I got my surroundings in check, I knew where I was, and was good to go.
The class was taught by a female instructor. She was slightly taller than me, but barely. She was quite strong and very inspiring. I learned a lot from her, and how to use our height to our advantage! I went home (the hotel). After class, I went to the Whole Foods by Union Square. I was going to buy dinner, but the Whole Foods was such a culture shock to me. It was two floors, packed, and just with every possible food! I wanted to see a movie, it was too late. So I figured out how to get home from the Union Station Subway. I asked an elderly lady which direction to go, she was kind, and I got on and then got off at 6th street, and walked to 7th street to make it home via subway!!! I transferred on the subways and didn’t get lost! My friends (from training) wanted to hang out, but I learned that the subway system was under construction and was possibly closing some lines…. So I was cold, and wasn’t in the mood to pay an insanely expensive cost of taxi cabs late at night… so, I proceeded to do what should be the most likeliest of behaviors, which is the most unlikely for me, but, I went home on time. I ate some Chinese Food, my whirlpool bath, and then bed!
Day 4 (Wednesday)
Another day… this time I got to class at 9. Well actually before 9. Today, my friends and I went to a Vietnamese Restaurant- they paid for my lunch :D So nice of them!!!! I ended up getting back late to training, but not by too much! It was fun and relaxing. The afternoon of training was enjoyable as we had the “fish bowl” exercise.
The fish bowl exercise was the done with the following directions:
1. The group was divided in half
2. Individuals were given different roles. Two people were given the roles of leader and then there were individuals who had to show case various emotions and then others who had to be “chatter boxes.”
The first group had a “know it all” person and an “emotional/chatter box” person. We got to watch it and it was interesting… then it was my groups turn to go! So, I had the role of myself!!!! Hahaha, I guess my role was expected to be fun as is, but no one knew that. Our group was reviewing our activity plans, so I made up that I would do a 30 minute walk, in the morning, once this week. There was a “chatter box” and her activity plan was to floss her teeth that she did not do.
So, I was the last person to debrief my activity. However, every other person had the “chatter box” say something negative to them, whether it be about their activity, or inability to accomplish it, or just interrupting positive discussion. One of our trainers joined the group to assist in the “chatting.” So, when I gave my debrief, the “chatter box” said that my activity really wasn’t good. Since no one else had said anything to her, I figured I would. I wanted to earlier, but didn’t. I told her, “it is my activity plan.” She said it was “easy.” We went back and forth for a while, and then she said something, which I can’t recall, but to which I retaliated, “you didn’t even complete your activity.” And, then I turned my back on her… my leader got my attention and I answered her questions. The “chatter box” started chatting with the other trainer… and the group cheered and started to shush them again.
When the fish bowl exercise was done… one of the leaders said that she thought a fight would break through… hahaha! I said “no” because of my nonverbal gesture of turning my back on her, I cut the conversation. However, it did get into the question of what we would do in the event of a verbal or physical fight. My friends were surprised at my reaction. After this activity, we worked on what we will be presenting tomorrow. Then I went back to my hotel, and got my uniform; I took my black one because the white one needed to be washed. I get to class and was told that I could not take it because black implied master. So, I practiced in the back room with another instructor. I learned a lot and felt so welcomed by the school. Sa Bu Nim gave me two dvds as a gift and said any time I wanted to return, I could. I went home, and my friends (training) called and we decided to walk the Brooklyn Bridge. It was a gorgeous day and evening of 60 degree weather. So, they said they would call me when they were 30 minutes away. So, I went home, ate the rest of my Chinese food, and read for my teaching tomorrow! My friends called and I walked on over and got there in 30 minutes. The park we were meeting at was quiet. There were 2 teenagers smoking and playing basketball, and 2 gentlemen working out on the monkey bars. I sat for a little bit on a cold cement bench, watching the boys shooting hoops, and recalling the times when I used to do that. Then I was wondering if New York closed their parks at dusk, which was obviously unknown, because people were still there even though it could be closed. But, I would see people there every evening so I assumed the parks remain open. My friends weren’t around, so I went to a mini-grocery store nearby and just looked at what they had. There were a group of boys there buying alcohol for what I gathered was going to be a “fun” night. I was ready to go, but decided to walk further down and met my friends at the intersection of Church Street and Worth Street. And, of we went, to and from Manhattan and Brooklyn, taking crazy wonderful pictures along the way. It was interesting the walkway was divided for those walking/running, etc and those riding their bike. There was a point where I was on the line and then on the “wrong side.” The bike rider cussed me out as he said to stay on my side. I figured he may have been in a hurry or just angry, and let it go. At another point one of my friends was on the “wrong side” but the reaction of the bike rider was a bit more courteous. On the way back we decided to be spontaneous and take the City Hall subway. We ask the security guard which way to go, and we go to our train stop that he gestured at. When there, I was like wait, something is wrong…and you know what was wrong was the fact that we were at the stop that would take us uptown to the Bronx! I said, we have to go downtown, and we asked the train driver who confirmed our change… so the security guard didn’t know where we had to go, imagine that!!! But, the fact that I knew was good! My friends walked me home at 11 PM in a deserted town, except for a few stragglers. They were happy to have walked me, in terms of safety. I reached home, studied, read, had my whirl pool bath, and slept.
Day 5 (Thursday)
So you can imagine I didn’t want to wake up this morning, as I had slept at like 1 AM. So, I had a slow start to an excellent day. For the first time, I got a taxi to work. He was a silent fellow. I got to work on time and was yet again asked for i.d. and picture to the somber office. I did, however, appreciate the value of security present in the office. I go up again, and have another wonderful day of training. We actually started our presentations early. We went second. Before, we went third. Luckily, my partner and I like to get it over and done with. Our group was pretending to be rowdy, talkative, etc… and we had to play it calm and collected. I learned a lot, and then we had to critique leaders later, which was quite hard!
Today after class, I went to Renzo Gracie’s school. When I looked up directions I had to take the 2 or 3 down to I think it was 28th and walk over to it. However, when I got into the subway, I was misinformed. I asked a girl that had bumped into me, and she said that the subway does not go to 28th street.
So, I got off, as if I was going to Hapkido class, figured out my North, South, East, West surroundings. I was running late and didn’t want to miss out on anything! So, I figured I would hail down a taxi. I must of tried to get 10 taxi drivers, none stopped… and, it was not clear if the light on meant someone was in the car, or if someone was in the car when the light was off, because people were in the car for both scenarios.
I finally saw a tall girl, about 5’10 who was fashionably dressed and I asked her, and she was uncertain, herself, so I went back to hailing down taxis. No luck. I go across the street to hail one down. The same girl asked where I was going again and then gave me directions, so I go in, and ask another lady if I’m in the right direction, and while both were not certain, a took the risk. I get there!!!!!!!!!! I figured out my North, South, East, West surroundings. Then went towards the school; I get there, looking for a sign or a place that looks like a gym. Nothing, and then thankfully, I saw people with jiu jitsu uniforms, so I followed them. I walk in and the security guard stares me down, so I go to him, and pleasantly ask where the jiu jitsu school is, and he interrupts saying, good evening, so I salute back, good evening, and he tells me where to go. I felt like I needed to know the password to get in!
I go in, and try to find someone to talk to. A blue belt, female asked a worker to help me. I paid, and was directed to the bathrooms, however I still had to ask for directions to them. There were two rooms on the bottom floor. The main room, was the size of a typical martial arts studio, and the other room was slightly smaller. Upstairs, there was a place for Muay Thai/MMA practice. The girl’s bathroom had lockers, nice showers, toilets, and blow dryers. I changed went down and was placed in the second room. The main room was for blue belts and higher. The second room was divided in half. One part was all beginner males, and the other half was all ranking females. Pat, my Peace Corps friend was supposed to come, but I didn’t see him, so I figured he had started taking classes. I trained with a purple belt, who helped me out a lot-gave me tons of pointers. We did all positions and the person in the dominant position had to maintain it while the other individual had to escape and then we swapped. When we rolled, it was awesome, neither of us tapped, but we were both intense. It is however, different to go with the girls, versus, the guys- I will admit to this! When I was done, I saw Pat! He didn’t take class-but decided to the next morning. So, I changed, bought a shirt, as he looked around.
We decided to go to China Town. We took the subway, but couldn’t orient ourselves when we got off, and then I realized, this isn’t the right direction! I didn’t recognize where we were. So, Pat had an I-Pad, that was connected to his phone so he could check the internet. He pulled up a map, as I moved in front of him as a safety precaution.
We got on the right track. When we entered China Town, Pat wanted to get dumplings, as he was craving them, recalling the memories of his roommate and him eating a bag of them. So, we went to every grocery store, which were all closed. However, en route we bought fried spicy fishballs which were yummy! And, he got a chocolate dessert at another place. We went to a restaurant, where the waiter really didn’t understand us; it was okay though, Pat and I just let it slide. The food was great and Pat ate what I could not finish! We walked around some more, and then he walked me home and I gave him directions towards Fulton Subway, and thankfully, he made it home safely too!
Day 6 (Friday)
So, I gather my things, pack the last minute stuff. And, then had a problem with check out! They charged me instead of the county! :O So, I had to clear that up. I had to get a taxi and I had to provide directions to the driver who could barely hear. My friends told me to inform the instructors that they would be late. I texted another friend and informed her to notify the instructors that I would be late. But, she too was late. There were quite a few people who had late starts to the morning. The day was just a review. Questions we had on the “bike rack” were answered. We ended at like 12 after we got our certificates :D So, the rest of the afternoon involved touring the city some more, except it was by day, not night! Hahaha
So, two of my friends from training and I went. But, one had to catch a flight and didn’t feel like she would have time to tour with us. So, she left. My other friend and I, we went to the 9/11 memorial site! The security was high, but worthwhile. There were beautiful buildings, and one there was a tilted piece from one of the twin towers.
Afterwards, we got lunch from Burger King. My friend and I got to know each other better. En route to the long line for the bathroom, I had two guys stare me down, and since I felt uncomfortable I left, and decided to wait! So, my friend and I left to go to see the Liberté! En route, we saw paintings, and my friend and I bargained for her to get some pictures. We were too late for the ferry. So we walked back to another stand of paintings, where we bargained again. I asked the gentleman where he was from and he said near me, and he asked me where I was from and I said India and he said TIBET! So, we chatted and he told me where to go and what to do. He was excited that I was going to Tibet! Then my friend and I wanted to go Time Square. My friend needed to put money on her card but none of the subways had that option. An elderly lady walked by us, and smiled and said something at me, and I responded. I walked ahead, with my friend and then turned around and asked her where we could go, and she directed us in the right direction! We put money on our subway tickets. I asked the staff which station to take and where to get off, and we made it! The movies were playing too late, for me and my friend to feel assured that I would get to my train station on time. So, we made a spontaneous stop at the Ripley’s Believe it or Not. Everyone looked at me with my big backpack and my small one in front. In Ripley’s I was carrying it, when a staff member said she would watch it for me and I could leave it at the entrance. My friend and I went picture crazy (I love posing). So I did silly pictures, like in a coffin, or in a jail like I’m getting my head cut off, etc.. I had fun! When I was ready to go, the girl tried to give me my bag but said it was too heavy; her male co-worker gave it to me. My friend kept repeating that she was feeling the pain on her shoulders for me. Then I took a taxi to the station and looked for dinner and got a nice healthy and spicy burrito. I took the train, same scenario as above. I met a girl on the train who was on her way to D.C. to visit her boyfriend and is a mental health therapist. She and I got to talking until we were shushed into silence because we were in the “quiet zone.” She eventually went to the “non-quiet zone.” I got to the station and then asked for the location of the metro, went down and saw no indication on when my metro was going to arrive. Then I heard it, the announcement, of my metro line not going past Rosslyn. So, I called my dad who said he will come. I called a friend, Apiye, to catch up! Security guards kept asking me to move because they were closing down different areas. My sister calls, and I’m looking for her and her car, and then they yell at me through the window; and it wasn’t a car I recognized, it was my cousins!!!! I was surprised, but then again, my sister’s engagement was the next day, so obviously family would be over. Hence, upon arriving home, I was welcomed by family and celebrations. My cousin lifted the bag and felt it was heavy too, but I explained everything was on the bottom so I really didn’t feel it. Then I slept.
I felt like I saw so many elderly people walking with canes/walkers, and be very diligent, with where they were and walking. I asked a lot of them if they needed help. However, most I think were surprised at the fact that I was asking. It was pleasant to see many walking around and remaining independent.
Pictures to come!
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