sitting on the subway

i just have a few good stories i have to type out 
before they leave my (old and forgetful) mind.


i know some people think NYC is a scary city--not me!


statistically it is the #1 safest big city in the USA.


safer than SLC, where the crime to ratio people is LOWER!
so really, you do feel safe there.


there are too many people around for all sorts of bad
things to happen, i guess.


anyway, i am normally not one bit nervous in the city, i
love walking around, and am even fine late at night.


coming into NYC this time our flight was delayed and
pushed our already late arrival time to early morning,
as in 1:30 in the morning.


we always take the subway/bus/public transit to our
home away from home.  it's easy and cheap.


that night (morning) we finally got from JFK to our 
subway stop near 2:30 am--it was lonely, but there 
were still people around.  just not the kind of people
you REALLY want to see at 2:30 in the morning.


i was a little nervous.  besides that, the subway runs
more like every 1/2 hour at that time of day and not
every few minutes.  


we sat and waited and i tried to look menacing.
kyle assured me he was a big guy and no one would
hurt us.  (ya, right).


finally our train came and we boarded only to be sitting
down the car (alone) with two people who appeared homeless.


our clues?


one of them was (quite literally) wearing a box, yes
you read that right, a box.  he was in his box asleep
in the corner.  we are not sure if he had clothing on
under the box, but kyle did point out if you're homeless
and trying to get a good nights sleep--the box would
allow for some privacy.


i will give the man kudos for thinking outside the box
in his situation.  or in his case, INSIDE the box.


seated directly across from "box man" was "table cloth"
lady.  she was wearing (for clothing) 3 vinyl print table
clothes, all somehow arranged to completely cover her
body giving the distinct impression of clothing.


on her head (in case of rain i suppose) was a clear
plastic rain hat.  she was eating a sandwich (which 
dropped a few pieces of lettuce, landing on her tablecloths,
er clothing.  


so convenient i suppose, clothing that doubles as a table?


it worked for her.


now believe me when i say i am not poking fun of these people.


it made me sad to see how they had to live, i just
felt a little worried riding the subway with them that
late in the night (early in the morning).


we DID arrive without incident at our hotel (after walking
past the "projects" to get there).  it still boggles
my mind how many people were awake at 3 am.


again, just not the sort of people i would want to meet-
even in broad daylight--toting luggage and a carry on.


basically with a big sign on my forehead screaming "YUP!
I AM A TOURIST!!  PLEASE ROB ME!! IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS
NOTE THE LUGGAGE ON WHEELS I AM PULLING BEHIND ME!!"


i breathed a sigh of relief upon entering the hotel
and announced that was the last time i rode the subway 
at 3 am.


we only made it to midnight the rest of the time, and i 
was fine with that!