Today I got off the E train at 53rd and Lexington and walked into the biggest crush I have ever seen on a subway platform. Imagine the subway scene in Crocodile Dundee and double the amount of people. It was toe to toe gridlock with two directions of commuters jammed solid at the bottom of the escalator with no movement for a good 3 or 4 minutes. The crush got tighter and tighter to the point where I thought if it got any worse I would have trouble breathing. This station is bad enough at rush hour but the day before Thanksgiving - forget about it. I can't believe people aren't falling off the platform in front of trains here every day.
It was some buzz to finally get up the escalator and come out onto Lexington Avenue. Outside wasn't any mellower - a dark, freezing rain pounded the streets as I headed downtown. The traffic was abysmal and there was a cacophony of car horns from every direction. I know some of you are going to tell me you wouldn't live here if you were paid a million dollars, and I get that, but even when it's at its most miserable I love this place. There's something about the struggle of a dark, wet and windy rush hour in Manhattan that makes you feel alive, and makes you feel really cozy when you get home. I turned around an snapped a quick photo up Lexington with my phone which I think captures the rush hour atmosphere. Ah I love Manhattan!
