Monday, March 14, 2011.....
Saturday, I was in NYC and am always in awe of how you need to walk while in NYC. I should note, there is a big difference between walking the city streets on a weekday versus a weekend day.
Although, I was in NYC, I've noticed there is a special rhythm for walking in a major city. For me, walking in NYC reminds me of riding the bumper cars at an amusement park.
During a weekday, the streets are packed with people just trying to get from point A to point B at top speeds. You need to maneuver around and through groups of people at a high speed because...I'm not sure why, but you just have to walk at top speeds. If you're slow, well, you might be bumped off the curb.
On a weekend day, the tourists arrive and look at every building. Personally, I try to avoid Times Square whenever possible, but especially on the weekends. The tourists, people with strollers and slow walkers walking 3 to 4 people across the entire sidewalk can easily make me lose my mind. Unfortunately, NYC doesn't necessarily bring out the best in me.
I find I nudge people to move over more than I'd like. However, if I don't weave in-and-out of people or nudge them, I can easily be pushed off the sidewalk because they don't know how to share space or be hit by a taxi if they crawl a snail's pace in a cross walk.
I think a good city walker has perfected the pace AND knows something I don't do well -- they know to look straight ahead and not at the ground like I do.
Although I love NYC, I wish I could just blink my eyes to transport myself all over the city without injury.
9 comments:
Yes, like Bruce Almighty. Just wave your hand and part the sidewalk.
i may need to get into practice...been a while since i was in the city and i will be in NYC in 2 weeks for a long weekend...i will try not to get in your way...smiles.
I walked home from work every day when I lived in Manhattan. Three miles of tourist dodging and trying not to smash into morons on cell phones who walked all over the sidewalk. I had to pass the Empire State Building on my way downtown and that was a nightmare every day. You had a better chance with the buses on Fifth Avenue than you did making it unscathed through the damn tourists. GAAAAAH! :)
Matty - Oh, if that could really happen.
Brian - LOL...I'll be sure to not nudge you if in the City.
Veggie Ass - Empire State Bldg is another hot spot, but Rockefeller City @ XMAS time takes the cake.
I love walking in cities - the busier the better! That said, I also need a nice hike in the woods at the end of the day to balance it out.
You're not the only one. I look down at the ground when I walk too and I've walked right into people...
But really, why did they stop in the first place?
tattytiara - you probably look up and don't run into people. It sounds like you've definitely mastered the art of city walking and I'm completely envious.
Ice Queen - glad to hear there are more people like me out there.
Did you see me? We were there too -- looking up at buildings!
I remember when I lived in Boston and people from the 'burbs would come to visit they would constantly tell me to SLOW DOWN!!! I'm not sure why you walk fast in a city. Sometimes it is because it is ridiculously cold and cities create bone chilling wind tunnels. Sometimes it is because you are just late and it is too short of a gap to take the subway for 2 stops so you walk - but you have to walk fast to get there in time. Other times you just have to go with the flow to avoid getting run over. I hate people that walk and talk on their phones - they are slow and in the way.
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