Subways, Elevators, and Such



Have you ever been on a subway? I have. They don’t smell good, they have a varied crowd, and it is tricky to master the art of “this is my stop.” But on the other side of the coin, they are inexpensive, they are rich with culture, and are economical to say the least.
This past Friday on my way to Universal Studios, and a few weeks ago while in New York for a journalism conference I purchased a Metro Card, and experienced the Subway system first hand. To be honest I don’t mind the subway, and hey, without a car it’s a great option, but some of the experiences are so far from what I am used to it amuses me. On the left is the group I went with on the subway in New York, and on the right is a rather “creative” photo of the group I was with on the subway in Los Angeles. I’m sure to other people, we stuck out far more then I can even imagine.
New York—Subway Elevator: “It’s what my people do for me...” said a wiry man to a woman that was old enough to be his mother. Three girls were smashed in an elevator with a man that was discussing his selling of body parts at a volume level that would only logically be attained for such a topic if one was on drugs.
Los Angeles—Subway: A weather looking Hispanic, elderly man sat on a bench with his eyes softly shut and his feet barely touching the ground. He clutched tightly to a small pail filled with flowers that he sold to the passer-byers in the subway station. He did not flinch his eyelids at the abrupt stopping and going or the chatter, but the second the subway reached his destination he just new it, and arose from his seat, and left, to be forgotten by the passengers. But no, that image will rest in my mind much longer.
New York—Waiting for Subway: Flashy business men fumble through the New York Times in a fashion that makes my trust in print journalism feel restored. He does not look at anyone or anything but that newspaper. He looks smart, he looks successful, but I cannot tell if he is happy.
Los Angeles—Subway: Scruffy girl who looks like a hard 14 tells a random boy she’s 21. Claims she lost her id and for some reason only has a friends. She keeps scratching her head in a manner that makes me nervous. She talks about weed like it’s as common as the topic of grocery shopping. She doesn’t hesitate to share a Twix with a complete stranger. She gets the number of this random guy, for reasons that I don’t even care to know. I am amazed by how brave she is trying to pretend to be. Why is this little girl all alone on a subway at 9 at night?
New York—Subway: Man plays the steel drums in the middle of the subway. They are too loud and out of place for me to recognize if they are good or not, but I’m for sure not telling him to stop. I can’t help but wonder what people would do if I busted out a random instrument in the middle of the subway.
Los Angeles—Subway: I man is wearing a hat that says “God Is Good” about four times on it. He is big, and has baggy clothes and a hard expression. He doesn’t cause trouble, and nobody seems to bother him either.
New York—Elevator to Subway: There is a huge puddle of someone’s pee. It smells. It’s either the elevator or the stairs. With the amount of luggage we have the elevator is really the only option. It really smells.
Los Angeles—Subway: Two 12 year-old girls engage in a typical conversation about boys. They look like they want to be older then 12, and their mouths suggest this as well, as they spout of profanities like no other. The one with heavy eyeliner is very concerned if the boy her friend is talking about it cute.