Chapter 2/9
So I said I'd be right back, but I did not anticipate falling asleep. So it's now 8:47, and still no wod from Dylan. I'm really hungry, but it's also late. One thing Dylan told me was to not be on the streets alone after dark, especially around here. Meh, tot ake my mind off of hunger, I'll continue my story.
Wednesday I woke up around noon, ate some Cocoa Puffs, and got in the shower. I asked Mindy if she could take me to Kohl's because I needed to get a jacket before my trip. I got home at 2:45ish and packed really quick. I brought 3 shirts and pants, my cell and charger, iPod and charger, DS and charger, and a few other things (Like this notebook).
After I finished packing, I called James. He said he'd be on his way. I got online and talked to Dylan for a few minutes. He said meet him at 34th and Broadway because it was right at the train station. Not too much longer and James was there.
James said he would give me a ride becaue he had to take his sister up to the city anyways, so we went to pick her up and proceeded to Baltimore Penn Station. He dropped me off and I walked in. Wow, I didn't feel any more alone during my entire trip then I did right then. That was when it really began for me.
I made my way to the place where you purchase tickets, I bought a ticket for the 4:47 to NYP (New York Penn Station) and proceeded to wait. When they called for it, I got on the train via "Gate E as in Edward" and found a seat that happened to be located next to the cutest guy on the train, heh.
I listened to my iPod the entire way there save a few minutes after we left and before we arrived. I listened to Fiona Apple's "When the Pawn..." and then the entire collection of Mindless Self Indulgence. During the 2 and a half hour ride, we went from Maryland to Deleware, to Pennsylvania, to New Jersey, then New York, back to Jersey, and finally New York again. It was quite an experience, And for those who haven't traveled Coach Amtrak before, trains are not as fast as you think. We were going about 60-80 the whole time.
It's 8:11 now, still no Dylan. I just swallowed my gum on purpose to hopefully delay my hunger for a bit.
"Attention all passengers. Welcome to New York City. We will be arriving at Penn Station shortly. Please watch your step as there is a small gap between the doors and station. Thank you." So the train ride was really boring, but I was thinking a lot, so I kept myself occupied.
I stepped of the train at 7:17, one minute late, and walked up the stairs to the station. Fucking huge is the best way to describe it. I immediately began searching for the exit to 34th and Broadway, and quickly found there was none. I took the nearest exit and found myself staring at 33rd and Eighth.
If you all didn't know by now, Manhattan is a grid. From east to west travel 170+ streets. So when I say 34th, it is actually 34th West, the 34th street from the south of the city. The avenues, icluding Eighth Avenue, are very pecular. Not all of them are named or numbered. There are numbered ones, 5th, 6th, 8th, and named ones scattered throughout the numbers, Columbus, Samanta, Madison, Amsterdam, and so on. The point of explaining all of this, there is an exception. Broadway actually divides the city diagonally, and is not ordered. I didn't know this.
Dylan just called, I'm going to go meet him at Columbia University. I'll finish this a bit later.
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