New York subways are definitely not for the timid or the claustrophobic! It's beginning to feel like a chaotic, moving mosh pit by the day. For a calm person, even I admit to a slight feeling of panic (sometimes rage) and lack of breathing air during really bad rush hour traffic. But if the crowd or lack of oxygen doesn't get to you, the messages on the loud speaker may. That is, if you're an out-of-towner.
On the way into work this morning, my usual thoughts of wishing I were on the way home was interrupted by the usual announcements. I was ever so casually reminded of all that I really do have to fear on a daily basis in a city like this. Things like, be sure to watch our bags and wallets, beware of pickpockets, be cautious of panhandlers, stand clear of closing doors, make sure you still have your kidneys when exiting the train...And of course, the all too important..."If you see a suspicious package, tell a police officer or an MTA employee". All good advice. However, this last one is the hardest of them all when having to take action. What you don't want to do, is ignore something that could potentially be an exploding device. But at the same time, do you really want to be responsible for hysteria, bedlam and bomb squads over a bag with a half eaten ham sandwich inside?
What an odd state of affairs to be in when, not only are we warned about possible dangers in our immediate vicinity day in and day out, but that we've all become so accustomed to it. It's about as typical as hearing the current time and the next arriving station.
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