What am I Doing Here??? --Darius A. Journigan

  I recently took a trip to Washington Heights to see a friend of mine. I'm still working out the subway system and am far from pro, but I managed. Originally, I wasn't going to go because I am absolutely terrified to ride the subway by myself. Somehow, he convinced me to suck it up and just do it. The ride wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, it was actually quite intriguing. I saw so many people who I could tell had been in New York for years; they had this look on their faces that was too uninterested to mistake for tourists, yet alert and aware, knowing all too well the things that can happen in their city.

  Then there was me; scared and scrawny, sitting all alone staring up at the map telling us which stop we're at. Totally oblivious to my surroundings. When I finally had the courage to look away from the map, I saw that the train had been filled with what appeared to be an entire gang. Black and Hispanic men in loose fitting jeans and black tees, most wearing dark sunglasses, all wearing nice shoes and shiny gold watches or chains. Of course at this point I was aware that I was getting closer and closer to the Bronx, the place that, though I have never been, I've seen many movies about. Enough to form a totally biased opinion of the place. So, naturally I was terrified. I slowly and discreetly slid the rainbow wrist band off of my wrist and uncrossed my legs assuming what I imagined to be a very "straight" posture. I counted down the stops until I was there.

 After 157th street, I was getting anxious. Would someone follow me off of the train and into the station? What about once I arrived and he wasn't there waiting for me? -- As the train came to a stop at 168th I bolted out of the train (at a brisk walk, never a run of course), up the stairs and out onto the streets. It reminded me of Detroit's east side, and though I remained cautious I felt increasingly more confident. I looked around me and inhaled a lung full of the polluted air of New York City. It relaxed me, and I was ready to continue the walk to my friends apartment. Unfortunately, after my first few steps through Washington Heights I lost the confidence I gained upon arrival and ran (again, briskly walked) across the street and straight into the arms of my friend who had watched the entire length of my mental preparation and laughed at me the whole night.

  Maybe one day I'll be able to take on New York's transit system alone at night...maybe. But until then, I'm perfectly content with dragging friends along with and walking as far as I have to!

~*D.A. Journigan*~