The New York beyond Manhattan

As I bumped along on the subway, ping-ponging from one location to another all over New York City, I couldn't help but think about the many ways there are to travel around this town. For example, if you were wealthy and just had gobs of money to waste, you could be picked up like a movie star in your own private limo. Cameras could be flashing, people watching with envy. Once, some of the girls from church and I rented a limo for a ride down a few blocks. It was fun, a bit over-rated and definitely too expensive, but nice.

You could drive or take a taxi. Both options involve careening through the overcrowded fast-paced streets, stopping and starting for lights and bold pedestrians. Taxis can be expensive, though necessary at times. Driving your own car can be risky and frustrating as you attempt to navigate down one-way streets all the while trying to avoid the scrapes and dents that so desperately want to find your car. Parking is an expensive treat too.


Some choose to ride their bicycles. This looks like a dangerous, but exciting way to maneuver through NYC's streets. Walking too is a healthy option. In fact, you really can't get around NY without being prepared to put some serious miles on your tootsies.

And of course there's the metro system. For $7.50 you can buy an all day fun pass and go wherever you want to. Now granted, the subways are often smelly and grimy. You rub shoulders with some....well interesting (for lack of a better word) folks. But what an experience! From the artsy mosaics that adorn the walls to the subway performers that blow their saxaphones or sing their hearts out, what's not to love?
(click on the map to see in greater detail...if you are so interested you want to see more, that is)

For sure, taking the subway requires a bit of street sense. But I had the pleasure during this trip to NY to stray out of Manhattan for the first time. Usually my friends and I stay around Times Sq, Little Italy and Chinatown, Battery Park, Ground Zero, etc. But during this most recent trip, I had other places on my agenda.

Of course I started in Times Square because that's where the conference was that I was attending. They put me up in the posh Hilton right on 6th Avenue. I spent the first day at the conference, but afterwards, schlepped my way over to Queens where I was to visit a college that one of my friends who will be immigrating to the US is hoping to attend a Language program. Traveling to Queens was quite an experience. And I wouldn't recommend trying to drag a carry-on around with you like I did. Going up and down the stairs and on and off subways/busses was not too fun.

It was interesting to see as the neighborhoods changed. The Queens subway goes through Hispanic, Middle Eastern and finally, last stop, Chinese neighborhoods. When I got off the rail, I didn't see one American-looking person. Nor did I see a sign written in English. Thankfully, I got on the right bus and made it to the college before it closed.




That night I stayed at a hostel in Brooklyn. Another interesting experience! I've already shared this with many of my friends, so I'll spare you the details. The next morning I schlepped my way back to Times Sq to leave my carry-on at the Hilton's storage area and be free from my burdens. Then I got a $3 freshly-made smoothie and a $.75 bagel from the street vendors. I have to be honest, although I was alone, I enjoyed myself immensely!

Later I meandered back to the subway to visit a friend who recently moved here from the Dominican Republic. Maritza and her husband Carlos are christians. They were a great blessing when I was in the D.R., driving me to church each service and introducing me around to their church family. They moved to Yonkers this year and had their first baby. So, of course I had to pay them a visit. This meant getting back on the subway and riding through the Bronx and then the last stop on the 1 train to Yonkers. Maritza, baby Joshua and I had a wonderful time walking the streets of Yonkers to an excellent Mexican Restaurant called Santa Fe, which we will visit again, hopefully.

I must admit to being pleasantly surprised to find how interesting and easily-navigated the neighborhoods are outside of Manhattan. I'm looking forward to exploring some more on my next adventure to the Big Apple!