NYC2 Adventures on the NYC Subway....aka... MTA

New York City wouldn't be the same without it's subways.
The MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) has 24 lines, that run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The system is one of oldest and most complex ON THE PLANET... but it is as iconic an attraction as the Statue of Liberty, or Empire State Building.
"On an average weekday, NYC's subways transport over 5 million people, making it the most trafficked public transit system in the Western world."
Because our stay in NYC extended for a week, purchasing a Metro Card was beneficial as well as economical, compared to hailing a cab $$$$, to reach a destination.

Free maps are available.
Understanding the colors, number, letters, scheduled times, starts and stops, will prepare you for navigating the subway.(Subway stations are approximately 8-10 blocks apart)

My next trip to the Big Apple, will include a smartphone app to help me navigate from point A to point B. (This past week, we relied 100% on our friends to guide us through the maze of steps, people, more steps, more people.) By the end of the week, I felt fairly comfortable and knowledgeable.
Some of our rides were more crowded than others.

The easiest and quickest way to travel around NYC is by the public subway system.
BEFORE you head into a station:
1. Check out a subway map.
2. Plan the Route
3. Purchase a MetroCard
4.Check the subway signs (Signs are posted on the platform and list which lines stop, there, the train's direction.... Uptown, Downtown, Brooklyn Bound, Manhattan Bound, etc.)
5. Choose the right stop!!!!!
Not all trains stop at every station.
Check out this link on HOW TO RIDE THE NYC SUBWAY

NOTE: LOOK FOR THE LAMP POSTS BEFORE GOING DOWN-UNDER😀😀😀

..... and while you are "DOWN-UNDER"... keep checking for your destination.😊😊😊

Many of the MTA stations are decorated with colorful ceramic plaques and tile mosaics.

During the MTA ride, it is important to LISTEN and WATCH for your exit.

Our subway adventures were great, and MOSTLY uneventful.
One little "incident", however, added a new term to my vocabulary.
**********MAN-SPREADING**********
"Man-spreading" (or man-sitting, is the practice of men sitting in public transport with legs apart, thereby covering more than one seat. This on the subway is a real NO-NO.
You know, taking up too much room.
Hoarding the space.
Come on, people, where are your manners!
I'm positive that woman-spreading is as prevalent, with their shopping bags, and SUV baby strollers.
Until this past week,  I had never HEARD of the term.

As the doors of the subway closed, I was NOT holding one to the pole, but was trying to squeeze into a seat next to a "man-spreader".This young self-absorbed 20-something quickly acknowledged me when the door closed and the train started.
I lost my balance, and fell into his lap.
End of story→→→ It got me a seat right next to him for the remainder of the ride. 😉😉😉
*Be conscious of the amount of space you and your belongings  are occupying.
Enjoy your adventures on the subway!