Tyra's First Day in the City...Alone

This morning I woke up with a mission on my mind and a song on my heart. The song, "We Dem Boyz" has absolutely nothing to do with the rest of this post. Idk...I just like it and similar to most Wiz Khalifa songs, it's confusingly catchy. Anyway, the mission, my friends, was clear: take public transportation into The City all by myself. I may as well get used to this; no one can hold my hand through my navigation of New York much longer.

Last night in preparation for this huge step, I strategized with my in-laws about the best routes to take and the best time to leave. My husband looked on offering up little more than occasional smirks. He doesn't understand why this is such a big deal for a Pittsburgh gal who has lived in the DMV for the past 7 years and hasn't taken a bus or a subway in God knows how long. But I was quickly reminded of his constant desire to take care of me as I found a Metro card in my wallet this morning. Brian sent me a text explaining that the card had $40 on it, as opposed to my own Metro card which had about $2.50 remaining.  I love my husband. He's so sweet.

Or is he? When I arrived at Port Authority and made my way a few blocks up to the F train, I began having major problems at the entrance to the train. The card that my husband so graciously gifted me would not scan. I ignored the scowls from busy New Yorkers as I held my head high and tried six more times. Slightly defeated, I moped over to the Metro card machine to check the balance. Yep, there was money on there. Wtf was up with this card? I once again walked over to the entrance, puppy dog eyes in place. A nice construction worker, sensing my predicament, held out his hand to try the Metro card for me. It didn't work for him either, which actually made me feel victorious. After three tries on his part, it finally went through. He told me the strip was faulty which was why it wasn't  reading the card. But alas, I was on my way to Brooklyn to visit my new job and sign some paperwork! Let the journey begin!

Welp, the journey was pretty frickin uneventful. No cursing, no arguments, no random pets, no breakdancing, no people selling weird products. These were all things I regularly experience on the subway with other people. But on the first day I travel alone, the ride is perfectly peaceful. I guess I should be thankful, but I mean really...part of the appeal (to me) of the subway is its shenanigans. Thus, my first alone trip to the city was pretty anti climatic. I didn't even get lost deciphering between going uptown and downtown. Good job, New York. Your subway system is positively pleasant. Whatever.

On the upside I did wander into Carmine's in Times Square on my way home where I enjoyed a refreshing lemon drop martini, a Caesar salad, and quite arguably the best sandwich I have ever had in my life. I even brought half of it home for my evil husband who I'm sure snickered to himself all day at work about the defective Metro card he gave me.  In case you're keeping score:
Brian-1
Tyra-0
New York-?

#tyrainthecity

The Countdown is On!

When I met my husband 2 and a half years ago, the first thing I noticed was this intense presence about him. It was in his voice, in his walk. It was an innate confidence bordering on arrogance. He was clearly a New Yorker. What in the world was I getting into?

I'm from Pittsburgh where we live and breathe French fries on our salads and Steelers on our televisions. For the past 7 years I've lived in the DC and Baltimore areas, two very distinct places where the residents have their own immense sense of pride.  There is no one , however, like a person from New York. Give them an inch and they will give you a mile long list of why their city is so much better than yours. But is it true? I mean, who can deny the food, the night life, and the culture of the city? But what about the traffic, the cost of living, and that arrogance I spoke of earlier (no offense to my husband)?

Is New York really the best city in the world? I will soon find out as I'm making preparations to join Brian in The City to start a new chapter in our lives.  I'm trading in the daily use of my Honda for a metro card.  Forget wearing cute wedges to work; hand me some sneakers for all the walking I'm about to experience. This blog will be filled with my perceptions of residing in a place that is so new to me, so confusing, so exciting. I hope to unlock the secrets of a place I have always been equally enamored with and scared of. Join me on this ride, and let's pray I remember to walk to the right of the subway steps as I chronicle my adventures.

#tyrainthecity