This photograph was taken at the Fulton Street train stop on the A, 4, 5, 6, line. This stop in particular is close to the World Trade Center. What I want to share about this particular spot is that this is where a woman on the train was looking to arrive while on the R train heading to Brooklyn. She looked lost, confused and took the chance to ask another woman on the train for directions in Spanish. As I’ve said in class, I tend to stay out of these New York moments because my thick-skinned self would rather not. However…I thought of how my mom barely lets her chancla touch a train car. Not to mention how lost she would be if she had to take the MTA alone. The woman, with her two children at her hips had told her if she takes the E train or this train to Cortlandt Street she would arrive just fine. After some reluctance, I spoke up and asked her what the problem was. After explaining to her that the directions given to her by the mother were correct, she had simply denied our claims. It had us both dumbfounded, and left us thinking; why would you ask for directions if you claim to know where it is? 5 minutes later, she gets off at Prince Street. Next thing I know, me and this mother are talking about how ridiculous it was to ask for our help to tell us we are incorrect. Then I thought of my Mom, and how she, being the stubborn woman that she is, would probably do the same to practically anyone especially me. It was enlightening to see myself connect with a total stranger for brief moment, whilst having her wish me a safe travel home from Baruch. I later got off at City Hall, and looked to the left seeing the World Trade Center close by, and wondered if she made it to her destination safely.
