Times Square 42nd Street, Kings Cross, Les Gobelins, and Madison/Wabash

For the past two weeks I have been given the amazing opportunity to work in NYC and be a regular commuter on mass transit (which I'm loving working and being in the city!).  This past Friday morning I was standing in a car on the Q train en route to Times Square.  As we were being held at a signal stop I realized that I have used four different mass transit subway systems and they all get the job done the same way but there are quite a few differences among them.  The foreign vs. domestic culture of sitting vs. standing among other things is fascinating!

A few simple observations on these underground transportation systems.

NYC is plain and simple - they call it the Subway.  The majority of lines run up and down town - it is not very convenient to get across town.  The lines are a random variety of numbers and letters.  One line is the 1, 2, 3 and 9 which runs up and down on the west side while the A, C, and E line also runs up and down town. There are 423 stations and 209 miles of tracks.   The transit system is not that far underground - 90% of the time, you never have to go down more than one flight of stairs (except for the 7 train on East 42nd street - that is a very very long flight of stairs).  In order to get through the turnstile to the platform customers must swipe their blue and yellow flimsy "MetroCard" at the entrance to the platform. The train cars themselves are relatively clean but the platforms and stair wells are quite icky to say the least.  However, over the past few years they have been cleaned up a bit.  As you are waiting on the platform you have no idea when the next train is coming - it's a big waiting game.  Once the train finally arrives it is a mad rush to get on and off the train, especially during rush hour.  I have noticed that some people sit but most people stand even if there are empty seats. I tend to stand just because I'm traveling at rush hour and it's just easier to maneuver with a laptop bag. 

London has two names for their system.  Some call it The Underground and others call it The Tube.  The reason that the term underground fits so well is because the system is truly underground.  You must take very very long flights of stairs or escalators down to many of the platforms.  The Underground has 270 stations and 250 miles of tracks which makes it the second longest metro system in the world after Shanghai.  The lines are identified by names which have corresponding colors - for instance the Circle line is the yellow line and the Central line is the red line.   The lines go all over the city so it is easy to go up, down, and across.  Unlike the NYC subway system you actually need your light pink "Travelcard" to get both in and out of the underground.  You actually need to swipe the card to get out!  Both the cars and platforms are extremely clean - the two times that I have been to London I have very rarely seen trash, gum, or empty plastic bottles lying around like one commonly sees in NYC.  There is a common security announcement that you hear as you wait for the train to warn passengers to "mind the gap" because there is typically a large gap between the platform and the train.  What is nice about London is that at most stations they have overhead screens which lists how many minutes until the next train.  It is customary to sit if there is an open seat so I follow suit to fit in and not be the tourist that stands out!

Ah, Paris - my favorite city in the whole world which I've been to twice.  It's subway system is called The Metro.  It has 133 miles of tracks and 300 stations.  The underground level of the metro system is very comparative to the NYC system.  The lines range from #1-14 and each have their own unique color. The Metro in Paris is the only system I have been on so far where each ticket is for one time use.  There is no fancy name for the ticket it is simply called "ticket" and it is small and white - a small rectangle probably the size of your thumb.  The cars and platforms are spotless.  The Parisian metro system is very timely and like London it has the overhead screens which tells you when the next train is coming.  It is an absolute must to sit when there is an empty seat.  I remember last September when I was on the 7 train going from Pont Marie to Chatelet to transfer to the #1 which is only a two minute ride I decided to just stand and this woman glared at me and motioned to me to sit down.  So when in Paris - " Assez-vous!"

I was only in Chicago for a brief time, but enough time to try out their underground and sometimes above ground transit system which is called the L.  It has 106 miles of tracks and 144 stops.  The lines are all identified by colors.  You can gain access to the tracks by swiping your light blue "ChicagoCard".  The platforms and cars are very clean as is the entire city of Chicago.  I can't quiet remember if their are signs indicating when the next train is coming but I guess that just means I need to take another trip back to Chicago! And as far as sitting vs. standing - I was there on a hot summer weekend during some big music festival so every L car was crowded and I could never even find a seat to sit down. 

Grand Cayman Adventures

Nothing is more inviting than sun and 85 degrees on a cool November morning in NJ so I was ecstatic to be heading off to the Cayman Islands to visit Nathan and Jenn.  Upon my arrival we headed straight to the opening festivities of Pirate Week 2010.  The pirates came in via boat to start the parade off which was full of fun floats, music and pirates!

After a great parade we met up with two of their friends for an evening of dinner and donut making which proved for a great evening of fun and laughter!

On Sunday I spent the entire day at their pool enjoying the picturesque views of the Caribbean sea.  Who wouldn't want this to be the view they see every morning when they wake up?!  I would take this for my backyard any day!

 Sunday night we had a fabulous dinner at the Cracked Conch.  The ambiance at the Cracked Conch was delightful.  We practically had the entire restaurant to ourselves and sat right on the water.  The food was absolutely exquisite and the company was just as enjoyable.

 Monday was a holiday in the Cayman Islands in honor of Remembrance Day a British Holiday since the Caymans are affiliated with Great Britain. (Two years ago I was in London for Remembrance Day touring Westminster Abbey - History of Westminster Abbey vs. Boat Day in the Caymans - it's a toss up on which day I will remember more in the future - probably the warmer one!!!)  So one of Jenn's coworkers organized a boat day.  There were about two dozen accountants and friends assembled at the yacht club to begin an afternoon of sun, swimming, sting rays, and starfish!

Our first stop on the boat tour was to dive for conch shells.  Imagine twenty something accountants diving off a boat emerging from the water with beautiful white and pink conch shells and then having the boat captain extract the fish from inside and then seeing everyone eat the raw fish!  Priceless!!!!

We then made our way to Stingray City to swim with the stingrays.  I may have been screaming the whole time but it was the neatest experience ever.  The stingrays were so smooth and silky.

After Stingray City we made our way to rum point. The boat docked in the middle of the sea and we swam/walked through the sea to shore.  Rum point was a beautiful pristine beach and we relaxed there for a bit before heading to Starfish point.

I have never seen such beautiful starfish.  The intricate details of the starfish were beautiful.

After Starfish Point we headed to Kaibo for a nice dinner at dusk/in the dark on the beach.  Traditional Caribbean Island food was enjoyed by all.  On our way back to the yacht club on the dark seas we enjoyed seeing some fireworks in honor of Remembrance Day. 

On Tuesday Nate and Jenn had to go back to work so I kept myself occupied at the Ritz Carlton Resort and Spa all day.  I started my day off with a nice spa treatment then enjoyed a fabulous lunch on the veranda.  The Ritz is located right on Seven Mile Beach - the main tourist attraction beach on Grand Cayman.  I basked in the Cayman sun all afternoon with occasional dips into the Caribbean and some lingering walks up and down Seven Mile Beach.

I woke up early on Wednesday morning to make sure I got some more sun time before heading home.  I laid out by the pool taking in the beautiful views for a few hours before boarding my flight back to the states.

This was a short trip by my standards but it was perfect.  The weather, the views, the catching up with old friends, and meeting new friends made for a perfect first trip to the Cayman Islands and my last major vacation until May 2011.

Betraying France

Bright and early tomorrow morning I'll be leaving for the Cayman Islands to visit an ex quad member and his wife.  My heart is with France but we will see if that holds true after five days in the warm Caribbean sun in the middle of November before the onset of tax season.  Bon Voyage!

Upcoming Adventures

I hadn't even been back from France for three weeks when I purchased a plane ticket for my next vacation.  In less than one month I will be getting some more stamps in my passport as I head to the Cayman Islands for five days.  The beach in Nice was amazing so I'm excited to compare the Cayman beaches to the French Riviera this upcoming November. 

And today the 2011 Tour de France cycling race route was announced in Paris so I will shortly begin planning my 2011 France Trip to follow the race route and root on the Schleck brothers.  My dad and I got into cycling a few years ago and I can't wait to take him to France and show him a bunch of my favorite places in Paris and explore new country side towns with him.  The Tour will finish on the Champs Elyssee with the Arc de Triomph in the background on the 24th of July but unfortunately timing doesn't work for us to see the end so we will start with the Prologue and follow the first week and rely on Versus to stream the last half of the race to us. 

To eat at a fancy restaurant with the one pair of clothes I have left or to not eat there.....

So I checked into my hotel with hardly any belongings.  I had made a 7pm reservation to eat at the Polo Ralph Lauren restaurant in Paris almost two weeks ago.  It is a very very fancy upscale restaurant.  And mind you, now all I have are the pair of jeans I have now wore three times on my trip and a shirt I have worn twice - not exactly the outfit you want to be seen in at the Ralph Lauren restaurant.  But I decided to go and show up in my dirty clothes because after this unfortunate train experience I needed to treat myself and end my trip on a good note.  I was slightly embarrassed and horrified walking into the restaurant but I mustered up the strength to do it and walked in with a smile on my face.

I'm so glad I went because I had the best dinner - a delightful piece of filet mignon in a Zinfandel balsamic glaze with mashed potatoes and house vegetables all for the low low price of 55 euro!!!! At least tip is included in European prices!!!  But it was seriously the best filet I have ever had.

Now it is almost nine at night and I don't have a toothbrush or toothpaste, contact solution, contact case, etc so I head down to Monoprix and purchase the essential toiletries to get me through the night.  All the while making sure I purchase carry on sized items since I have no bag to check and I don't want to throw all this stuff away since it was a tad bit expensive (the contact solution was nine euro which is equivalent to almost eleven dollars for a travel size).

Be prepared for lots of questions at the airport and customs when you try to take a long haul transatlantic flight with no luggage when your passport indicates you have been in Europe for two weeks!!!!  Thank goodness for the police report to validate  my responses to the authorities when questioned why I'm traveling with no baggage.

The flight home was good and that Saturday I spent tons of time filling out insurance claim forms and purchasing a new wardrobe. 

My amazing race was perfect, despite the train incident - I'm not letting it deter me from traveling - I still love France and everything about it and can't wait to go back. 

PS - I really miss this dress!

En Route to Paris - #6118 from Marseille St Charles to Paris Gare de Lyon

I had an unfortunate travel experience on a TGV train from Marseille to Paris.  Waving good bye to one of my new favorite places in France, I boarded a train in old Aix to Marseille and then in Marseille I transferred trains to a train to Paris. I was in car number 8 - the last car on the train where there is no conductor monitoring people entering and exiting the train. I lugged my heavy suitcase onto the train and dragged it up to the second level where my seat was. I placed it on the luggage rack with a dozen other suitcases. My suitcase was clearly labeled and had a pink ribbon tied to the handle - so as to make it uniquely mine. From my seat I could see my suitcase. The train departed from Marseille and everything was fine.

The train then stops at the AIX TGV station. There is a lot of movement going on at this point with people getting on and off but I can still see my suitcase on the luggage rack. Before the train starts moving again I need to get up out of my seat to let the person whose seat is next to me get in. As I'm swiveling around to let the man in, the train begins to move as I turn to sit back down and my luggage is gone from where I had seen it the whole time. I initially start to panic but then think maybe someone rearranged the rack to fit theirs in while I had turned for probably all of ten seconds. I search high and low and my suitcase is no where to be seen. I immediately find a conductor and report my situation. He calls the AIX TGV station to see if someone took it by mistake and brought it to lost luggage, but no such luck. He then searches multiple cars with me and nothing turns up.

The conductor then proceeds to tell me that this scenario has been happening a lot. What happens in that thieves get on in Marseille (and other cities with little conductor monitoring) on to cars seven and eight where there are no conductors and have enough time to scope out a victim and steal luggage and get off the train at AIX TGV all before the conductors come through to check tickets. And the thieves complete this circuit all day long. The conductor told me that they pick their victims by scoping out individuals traveling alone and who appear to be too cautious. I thought I was doing the right thing by monitoring my luggage but apparently that constant watching was what made me an unfortunate victim of crime. They must watch everyone board the train to identify luggage with person.

I called the US embassy in France after speaking with the conductor and she confirmed that this has been happening quite frequently. Once I arrived in Paris I met with the police at Gare de Lyon and filed an appropriate police report. And I was apparently the tenth victim of this sort of crime on Thursday afternoon alone. Crazy scary!

Luckily this was the end of my trip before flying home, so all the thieves got was two weeks worth of dirty clothes, toiletries, and a few souvenirs that totaled maybe 70-80 euros. They probably thought my constant watching meant there were real valuables in there, but in reality it was just material things that I can easily replace. Yes, it was a nuisance and cost money to replace my wardrobe, but I had all my valuables, phone, camera, passport, and money, etc all on me - so in the end, I ended up safe and they didn't really get anything.

Rather than take a metro from Gare de Lyon to Gobelins I paid the money for a cab because I didn't want anyone to try and take what little I had left.  I checked in to my hotel with my purse and a small carry on bag after a two week amazing race around France.

My Own Amazing Race - 4th Pitstop - Aix-en-Provence

After a very early morning flight out of London Gatwick to Marseille France I made my way to Aix-en-Provence.  The first thing you see when you get off the bus in Aix is the most beautiful fountain.  Is that not welcoming or what!  Aix is filled with fountains.
Once settled into Aix I met up with a friend from college and we stayed in Aix until Thursday.  After a nice lunch in Aix we explored the town.  Such an awesome place.  The streets are so charming filled with an abundance of boutiques, boulangeries, and cafes.  The main street (Cours Mirabou) is called the mini Champs Elysees and it really does look like a mini Paris!

On Tuesday we took a Paul Cezanne Tour.  Throughout the day we explored three Cezanne sites to understand the artist and his art.  We went to the quarries of Bibemus where he began painting wonderful landscaped scenes. 

We also went to his family home (Jas de Bouffan) and finished the day at his studio (Lauves).  It was a day that really reminded us of Humanities at SAC because it was a day filled with examining art and understanding the artist.  In between our different sites we had the most amazing crepes I have ever had in my life.  Before my experience at Crepes a Go Go I thought my favorite crepes were from the creperie directly across from Notre Dame in Paris but Crepes a Go Go in Aix surpasses any crepe I have ever had.  I was in Aix four days and I ate at Crepes a Go Go three times!!!  I ate sweet and savory crepes but the best crepe was the Chocolate Almond Crepe and I would do anything for one of them right now!

On Wednesday we took a day trip to Marseille.  We took a three and a half hour boat cruise and explored the Calanques.  After that we went to see the most grandest church I have ever seen - Notre Dame de Marseille.

After another great city with another great friend and one more crepe from Crepes a Go Go it was time to make my way back to Paris via the TGV on Thursday afternoon.  So sad that my trip was nearing a completion but had the most amazing time visiting old and new places with great friends!