NEW YORK

BEING SMART

New York is its own world, with its own rules. New York is an apple nestled amongst the leaves of a green oak tree, a freckle upon a thigh or the crazy woman dressed like a fairy dancing down the street. New York stands out, it's unique, it's intriguing, everyone sees it from a far but not everyone understands it. When I first arrived (after previously having visited for 2 weeks) I was confident I knew her well. I knew how to catch a subway, I had the subway apps, I understood I needed to tip and I was confident I knew the no-go areas. Nearly 5 months later (September, 2013) I am still learning. Learning from my own experiences and experiences of others. Here I am going to try put down what I feel you should know when dancing and twirling through the streets. 

KEEPING SAFE

Everyones interpretation of 'keeping safe' will differ. Depending on age, gender, background and size (it does make a difference). So I will offer a few little pointers from my eyes of what has helped me. 

Firstly, New York City is one of the safest large cities in the country. But with so many people, crime does happen, and more so than many are probably used too. Just be smart and know what you're doing and where you are going. Confidence is key. My good friend, decided she would jump on a subway at midnight with her sister on a Saturday night to go to a bar on 175th street. She didn't know Manhattan well, had no idea where she was going, until she stepped onto the sidewalk and was instantly terrified. She was in Upper Harlem, not really safe for tourists (and most others) and when I told my New Yorker friends- their jaws dropped. Be safe. Don't go to places that you don't know.

PEOPLE

Ignore the panhandlers on the streets and subways, people who offer to hail you a cab (they often appear at Penn Station, the Port Authority, and Grand Central), and limousine and gypsy cab drivers who (illegally) offer you a ride.

Avoid deserted blocks in unfamiliar neighborhoods. A brisk, purposeful pace helps deter trouble wherever you go. 

TRANSPORT

The subway runs round-the-clock and is generally well trafficked until midnight (and until at least 2 AM on Friday and Saturday nights). I have never felt scared in a subway station or on a subway and I have ridden at 4am. But I try to avoid quiet  stations late at night. If you feel unsafe- ride in the center car, with the conductor, and wait on the center of the platform or right in front of the station agent. 

When waiting for a train or subway, stand far away from the edge of the subway platform (people do get pushed, you don't know who is around you). You will encounter all sorts of people on the subways, homeless, drunk people, mentally ill, aggressive and argumentative people and performers. Some might ask for money, some might just want to chat. If I feel uncomfortable I will put my head phones in but leave them off. If you feel really uncomfortable, you're probably right so change cars at the next stop- you have time.   Sit in the centre of the car, away from the door, to avoid a purse or chain snatch. If you're near the doors just be aware who is around you as people do snatch phones when the doors open and run out. 

BAGS and VALUABLES

Some people say to keep jewelry out of sight on the street. I wear my jewellery on my fingers and wrists all the time with no issues BUT there have been times when I feel uncomfortable I will pull my sleeves over my hands and put my hands in my pockets. Depends where you are and who you're with.  Men should carry their wallets in their front pants pocket rather than in their back pockets. 

When in bars or restaurants, never hang your purse or bag on the back of a chair or put it underneath the table. If you have a long strap on your bag, put it over and around you so it's fully connected to you and put it on the front of your body when in crowds. Always zip your bag. 

GETTING AROUND 

I have friends that take the subway, friends that take taxis (ONLY), there are buses but I've never taken them and I have no friends who think it's a great idea to drive in Manhattan (possible but not recommended). 

The sooner you understand the way Manhattan is set out in your head, the easier life will be. It is basically a grid system, starting at the top in Harlem at roughly 196th, running horizontally all the way down- Uptown, Midtown & Downtown and then split parallel with avenues, 10th through to 1st. Floating around these are streets and highways with names that you should familiarise yourself with, like Canal, Spring, Houston, Wall Street. And then of course the surround burrows, Queens, Brooklyn, The Bronx and Staten Island.

THE ART OF WALKING

I have walked more in the past 5 months than I ever did living in Australia (this is where I purchased my first pair of converse, Havianas no good for walking). At first I missed the luxury of jumping in my car (especially when it's raining, late at night or I'm exhausted) but the cheapest, sometimes the fastest, and usually the most interesting way to explore this city is by walking. 

New York City is bustling and populated by millions, so what better way to see the culture of the people and the city than by walking? You will see the grit between the cracks, the crazy people, the kind people, the rude people, the musicians  the police, the young and the old. I have experienced all sorts of moments that I wouldn't have if I had jumped in a taxi or on a subway.  The streets are the beat of NYC, you'll often stumble across hidden street festivals, cultural events and hidden restaurants, bars and cafes. The crowded sidewalks become a place to get food, buy clothes, hats, paintings and jewellery. As you discover the city yourself, if you're in a group please walk in pairs, not 4 wide (this doesn't allow for much movement around you) and just be sure not to walk and stop abruptly in the middle of the sidewalk (to take photos, look on your phone or look in the window), PLEASE move to the side if you need to slow down, otherwise prepare for a loud huff or shove from behind you.

SUBWAY

I have a love/hate relationship with the subway. Would I love a driver? Of course. Do I have a driver? No. Would I prefer taxis? Yes. But do you get jammed in traffic and it ends up costing more and taking longer anyway? Yes. Subways are my main way of getting around. Summer they resemble a giant over and in winter a larger oversized freezer but who wants to hang around in the subway anyway. In and out. That's your goal. 

I always suggest to friends to download two apps that make life a millions times easier:

1. NYC Subway: while there isn't a lot of information in this app, it does have a complete map of the city with the subway lines (colours and letters/numbers of each subway). This way you can read the map, see which subways runs on which streets/avenues and where the stop and connect.

2. NYC EMBARK: this is the app where, once you know which streets you want to connect from, you can then type in where you're departing and where you want to go. For example: 42nd Street (A,C,E) to Canal Street. This app will then give you the schedule of the subways running on any day/time you select and will also give connecting subways if needed- GENIUS! 

TAXI!!

If you ever watched Sex and the City you know that those girls loved to hail a taxi. You shouldn't have any issues catching taxi's in Manhattan, there are a lot! But sometimes you do need to be assertive, step out and look like you know exactly what you're doing. But it can differ from block to block and person to person. Yellow taxis are not allowed to pick up in Brooklyn and drive into Manhattan, but they will take you to Brooklyn. Black Gypsy cabs are not supposed to stop to see if you want a ride, they are meant to be called (but these rules are usually dodged by them). When you're jumping in a taxi- know where you are going, and know the cross streets. When I first arrived I happily told the taxi driver to drive to 42nd. He said nothing and the taxi didn't move... What's the hold up? "What's the cross street?" he said- whats a cross street?! Know where it is your going, 42nd and 8th Ave for instance. And also know which avenues go up and which go down (isn't tourist sign if you get it wrong). Don't forget to tip! Taxi's are a great way to travel and sometimes cheaper if there are a few of you. And if in heels... a GREAT way to travel.