10:47
The subway squeaks as it approaches. As it passes through, I can see that the train is close to empty. I board the AC filled cart which is a great difference from the stuffy outdoors.
11:05
After being on the train for almost 20 minutes, I can feel the old age of the subway. The announcements sound grainy and are too loud for me to hold a conversation. The shaking of waddling of the train make me feel slightly insecure. I briefly take a waft and smell a slight scent of spare change and coins. Just at this moment, I pick up the sound of a passenger popping her gum as she talks. Constantly.
11:20
After getting off the train, I take the escalator up. I decide to take the emergency exit since it is closer to the exit. As I push the door, I can feel an oily, greasy texture that makes me want to wash my hands as soon as possible.
11:22
I finally reach ground level and start trekking towards the restaurant for lunch. I take in a small breath and smell a slight scent of a mixture of pee and cigarettes. As usual, I need to weave my way through people but I am particularly sensitive after a long day of walking yesterday.
11:28
My friend and I are immediately given a table for 2 when I signal a 2 with my finger. The busy restaurant is filled with the sounds of the bell of the front door, ingredients being thrown into a pan, waiters hollering to each other, and the plastic plates hitting the surface of the marble tables.
11:43
I take a bite into a crispy yet savory dumpling but it has radishes that I absolutely hate and little particles that get stuck into my teeth.
12:46
I ask for the check and decide to pay in cash. I squeeze my fingers into the tight coin pocket of my wallet to reach the little pennies.
12:57
I arrive at the subway station to enter a platform that smell like trash (like usual) and feels like a sauna (like usual).
1:06
I heard a grumbling sound behind me, which means a train is arriving on the opposite track. I get a waft of the scent of cement. Another train on the opposite track arrives again and hear the heavy breathing of the train as it waits at the station.
1:12
The train finally arrives. I enter to a beat coming from a man’s cellphone and his whispers to it. I feel dirty, literally like someone dusted my with dirt. I cannot bear to stay away much longer so the subway’s vibrations rock my to sleep on the way home.
Hi!
What struck me the most about your piece was definitely the format! It’s extremely distinct. I’ve never considered what an excellent idea it was to write a descriptive narrative in such a chronological order, until I read your narrative. Your piece was extremely relatable to be me. Just from reading it, I can feel the mucky and grimy atmosphere of the New York City subway. As soon as I step into a station, I can already feel like my morning shower was completely pointless. The MTA seriously makes a day feel longer than it actually is.
I Loved the fact that everything you did at the time were so detailed from The announcements sounding grainy and too loud for anyone to even hold a good conversation to greasy texture on your hands that made you want to wash your hands as soon as possible..to the subway station smelling like trash… you definitely have to love New York, especially Manhattan… some people don’t really notice these things while going about their day on these subways…
This piece really captures what it feels like to, well, have a body. That might sound reductive, but it’s a real feat–instead of your inner thoughts or your conversation with your friend, you focus on smells, textures, sounds–all the external things that bombard your senses as you move through the world. Strikingly, the TRAIN is granted personhood (it waddles, it grumbles!) while the person speaking, feeling, thinking remains a cipher. Really great take on the assignment. Well done!
-Prof Kolb