A couple of weeks ago, I was stunned, amazed, and thrilled to see a train indicator at Canal Street!  Finally, they’ve taken one of the best features of the metro/underground in London and Paris and implemented digital panels to tell you when the next train is coming! 

One of the most frustrating parts about the subway has been that you never know when the next subway is coming, or where it is, and when announcements are made, it’s impossible to understand voices over the intercom.

What will surely follow next is an important change of culture.  One of the things you see on a daily basis if riding the subway are people standing at the very edge of the platform and leaning over, hoping to catch a glimpse of the headlights of an oncoming train, and be reassured it’s on its way.  If New Yorkers become accustomed to these new panels, and actually trust the information is correct, then there won’t be anymore crowding and leaning over the platform edge!  I know it seems trite, but I think the potential is fascinating that our behavior may completely change.

However, I’m sure there are many parts of the subway culture that won’t change:

• crowding on the subway at rush hour
• rules that seem insane for which you can be fined – like placing your bag on an empty seat next to you!
• pushing and shoving
• standing by the subway door entrance

If you plan to live in New York, you gotta get used to the unique environment of the subway! 

* For great insider tips on living in New York, check out www.howtoliveinnewyork.com ! *

I played tour guide recently for some lovely British tourists around Manhattan.  Now, International travel is always a bit of an effort, but these guys get a GOLD STAR.  There were some horrible wind and rain storms in New York over the weekend of their trip, so their total travel time ended up being roughly 36 hours due to delays.  On top of that, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldridge were traveling in first class!  I wonder if the pilot felt any pressure – apparently he tried to make a landing at JFK twice, getting within 100 feet of the runway, but then pulled up because of the high winds – all this while the Apollo 11 space crew is sitting behind him!

For me, New York is about neighborhoods.  My guests agreed that it’s fairly amazing to spend an afternoon walking from SoHo to Wall Street, and experience such a variety of architecture, people, and landscape, all in the same city.  I think one reason many people can feel at home here is because there is something for everyone – little pieces of foreign culture, places that feel like Europe, people outdoors, people indoors, etc.

The other charm was that it was raining and cloudy.  I’ve mentioned before that weather has a huge impact on a relocation experience.  The fact that the weather was, well, a typically British day, made my guests feel right at home!

Moving to New York, even from a place that’s nearby, or that you think is culturally similar, will come with a lot of bumps and altered expectations.  * For some helpful tips adjusting to New York, visit www.newbieinnewyork.com! *

It’s rare, but once in a very, very, very long while, New York gets hit with a real snow blizzard that actually leaves snow on the ground – enough of it that driving is impossible without regular road plowing, and enough for building snowmen in the park – I mean GIANT ones – I’m petite, but wow, these guys are huge! Private schools were even closed – and that almost never happens!

Snowstorms like this in New York really show how it is true it never sleeps.

Plowing went on all night and even though blizzard conditions continued the next day, the roads were clear. Some people trekked off to work, but they missed the winter wonderland in Central Park! Shown here are amazing photos of the most amazing night sky I’ve ever seen in Manhattan, snowmen – and a snow WOMAN that’s a true work of art – buried cars, people skiing, and more.

It’s amazing when a city offers you activities you normally can’t do – snowball fighting, snowman building, cross-country skiing, and downhill sledding. There’s something very exciting and fascinating when it happens. Everyone seems happy (at least those participating in said activities), families and friends come together, and it has a very special feeling overall. It also shows how much impact weather has on our day-to-day experiences. Especially when you relocate, weather affects whether you can be indoors or out, and temperatures affect what activities are available.

However, New York is notorious for being “the City that Never Sleeps”. The snowstorm made me wonder, why is it New York can’t shut for one day and play in the snow? Happily, we made up for it on Saturday, but it’s a shame we can’t bring everything to a halt and enjoy the snow as it happens.