Train hopping

In what one day I will refer to as true hobo antics and not a coffee-deprived moment in the early hours of Saturday, I was sleeping on board the train from Trenton, NJ, to NYC when the conductor asked me for my ticket. Still somewhat asleep (isn't Dramamine wonderful?) I told him he just took my ticket paper from the seat clip.

"No, that was for Newark."

"No," I said, now quite awake. "I'm going to Penn Station New York, not Penn Station Newark."

"But your ticket was for Newark." He sighed, obviously tried by my lack of clarity and utter confusion. "What code did you enter into the ticket machine?"

"100," I answered.

"You needed to enter 000 for New York Penn Station. Make sure you get the return ticket taken care of or they won't let you back on," he said and walked away. At least he didn't kick me off at Secaucus.

So, when I got into Penn Station, I looked at the NJ Transit machines and sure enough, they were right on top of each other, both in bold. So I purchased the return fare difference and then purchased a MetroCard for the subway. Meeting a friend in Park Slope Brooklyn for lunch, I had 40 minutes to get from where I was to where I was meeting her--in all rational lights, that was plenty of time. I jumped on the train headed to Brooklyn, only to find out that it was detouring due to construction and would not be making the stop I needed. So, I took the other train, which meant I would have to transfer. No big deal. I refused to drive any part of the trip, so I had already taken 3 trains to get to Penn Station.

On the train, the conductor said that we would be leaving shortly--please be patient. Every few minutes he would come on and say this... every few minutes for about 15 minutes. Finally we leave and I get to the station I need to transfer and I am on the train and though it is supposed to be express, due to construction, it is local. OKAAAAYYYY. At some point, it stopped in the tunnel and we sat again for what seemed like ages, but was really only about 2 minutes. There was no question, it was past the time I was supposed to meet and of course, there is no signal in the subway to make a phone call or send a text. Finally, and momentarily above ground, I called and explained... and there was only 1 stop between where we were and where I needed to be. I hung up, and the train stopped... where we sat, again, for another 5 minutes. Off the train, I ran the 8 blocks to the restaurant and was only 40 minutes late! It took me an hour and 20 minutes to get from Penn Station to Park Slope Brooklyn!

The subway screwed me again on the way back into the City. And I ended up getting off the train and walking the mile or so from Rockefeller Center to where I needed to go. It was sunny, but cold, and I thoroughly enjoyed the walk--letting the train aggravation wash away. It was nice being in the City. I had a nice lunch with a friend, hit Central Park and FAO Schwartz on the way back to Penn Station. I was in no particular hurry to get back on the train route I had chosen. Next time, I will drive part of it... next time, I don't have a choice, and next time I will be taking Amtrak. Next time is already planned and is work-related... but fun can still be had, no doubt.