To Navigate Subways, You Need To Do This!

 

I've been riding the rails for many many years.  However, I wasn't always the aficionado that I am today.  It took a lot of practice and a lot of learning.  Subways are something that need to be learned unless you grow up with them.  It's kind of like learning a language.  English I grew up with, the others took some  work.

The truth is, I used to have a hard time getting around New York City on the subways.  True, it's advanced subway riding, and it isn't always easy to make sense of all the different lines, the times, the switches from peak to weekend, the substitutions for work zones, and so on.

The one thing that I learned while traversing New York City for years was this.  Give over your sense of direction.  That's right.  Most of us who grew up outside the city and its lifestyle, carefully honed our sense of direction as we aged, and we're proud of that sense of direction.  Unfortunately, it has no place in subways.

The world of the subway is something completely different from the world above ground.  When you're in the subway, you've become mole people.  You see shops designed to help you make your way underground.  You see ads for things that you must return to the surface to enjoy.  You must follow signs and trust in your handlers to get you where you're going.  It's a lot for any of us who have ever prided ourselves in knowing which way to go and how to get somewhere.  It's a completely different world.

For example, I normally go into Grand Central Station in New York and transfer to the subway system.  it's a perfectly normal way to travel in Manhattan.  However, there are about a thousand ways to navigate through that terminal.  It's huge.  I've found myself in all kinds of places that I never knew existed.  This is where handing over your sense of direction comes in handy.

I learned to just follow the signs.  I know what train I need to catch.  I know the color and the number or letter.  I know the stop I need to arrive at for my activity.  I used to worry about which way it was.  Just follow the signs, people.  Are you going the way you think you are?  No.  But that's all right.  The subway is designed to get you to your final destination.  Trust is what you need.  

Believe me, you'll find passageways, stores, odd connections to other stops and different sites around the city.  Your train might go right across the Manhattan Bridge.  It might come up above ground in Brooklyn.  It might go up and down.  It can be unnerving if you're not used to the world from that perspective.  I can't say it enough.  Just follow the signs and trust the system.  It will get you where you're going.

Another piece of advice I can give is to use the maps in the stations.  It's great to have everything on your phone and I always do.  But those maps in the stations are big and easy to look at.  Sometimes, as old as the idea is; a big giant map can be helpful.  Just make sure it's up to date.  The one in the picture above isn't.  That could really cause trouble and it has for me.  By the same token; the maps on your phone might not be timely.  Google can be wrong.

I've ridden public transportation in 7 countries and five major cities in the USA.  I've learned a lot.  First of all, I like it.  I like not having to try to drive in Washington DC or Boston; and I will not drive in New York City ever.  I like following signs and letting someone else take me where I want to go.  It's very freeing.  Try it and see.

Just remember, whether it's a subway, a train, a tram, a bus, funicular, elevator, cable car, or even the Staten Island Ferry; let them do the worrying.  Follow the signs and let someone else do the work.  It's way easier to get out of the rat race than to try and drive in a major metropolitan nightmare.  And remember, some places you can't drive to anyway.

So, sit back, relax, don't worry about your sense of direction, follow the maps and the signs, and Enjoy!

https://www.mta.info/

https://www.mbta.com/schedules/subway

https://www.hel.fi/en/urban-environment-and-traffic/getting-around-helsinki-tips-for-newcomers

https://www.visittallinn.ee/eng/visitor/plan/transport/public-transport

https://www.visitstockholm.com/travel-info/public-transportation-in-stockholm/

https://www.wmata.com/

https://visitreykjavik.is/public-transportation

https://www.transitchicago.com/

https://www.mtl.org/en/city/visitor-information/getting-around

https://www.introducingporto.com/metro

https://www.facebook.com/adventuresforanyone/

https://www.instagram.com/ninakindred1/

https://www.youtube.com/@ninakindred9466

Off to Find Some More Great Things!

 

I've spent a lot of the summer out finding interesting things close to where I live; mostly in New York.  It's been a lot of fun, and you can always catch the little videos I put on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@ninakindred9466

I've learned a lot about videos, and even more about New York City.  I will be taking a little time away now to go and find some interesting things to talk about in a new place for me.  I won't be long.  You'll probably see the first of the blogs next week.

I do so love to travel, so I will mention one thing for you from my regular visits to New York.  It's called OMNY.  It's their new system for the subway and buses, along with the Roosevelt Island Tramway.  It looks like something completely different, but I assure you; it's no big deal.

You can tap a credit card or Apple Pay and all kinds of things, as long as you use the same method all the time.  This way, it will only charge you up to $34 a week.  It's nice, but it's not as big a deal as it seems.

I just got an OMNY card and loaded it like I always used to with the MetroCard.  The only real difference is that it taps instead of swipes.  The system will quit charging your OMNY card after $34 a week as well.  

Let me just say that hat's off to New York.  You're way behind in the subway game, but good for you for catching up.  Europe has had a tap system for some time, and I believe a lot of Asian systems do as well.  

This is the only difference you'll really see.  The one nice thing about the new system is that you can use a single card to pay for up to 4 people at a single station together.  I tried it.  We couldn't go through the exact same turnstile, but we could in fact use the same card at the same time.  I like that.

As I've spent a lot of time in New York this summer, I've seen that they're doing a lot with the metro system to provide a better experience for the customer.  Thank you, New York.  It was really time.

If you want to check out some of the interesting things both new and old about the New York Subway; check out my channel.  

https://www.youtube.com/@ninakindred9466

So, stop into New York and check out the new stuff.  It's pretty cool after all, and it's all for the customers.  Take advantage of that.  It doesn't happen often in my world.

Check back next week and I'll see what I can have here for you, and Enjoy!

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https://www.zazzle.com/store/imagings

https://x.com/NinaKindred

https://www.fictionpress.com/u/866564/ninakindred1

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Terri-Dixon/author/B06Y1C2MS7

https://www.mta.info/press-release/mta-unveils-first-fully-redesigned-subway-map-half-century

https://omny.info/

https://www.mta.info/

https://www.youtube.com/@ninakindred9466

McDonald's Around the World!

Above: Mc Donald's Sweden with a drive through for skis and snow machines. Gary He, "McAtlas."

 

I doubt that there's anyone who hasn't been to a McDonald's.  There are over 40,000 of them around the world in 120 countries.  

It's something I've heard about for many years and I know that there are people out there like Gary He, the award winning chef who visit them all over when they travel.  You may ask why?  It's McDonald's.

McDonald's, as we all know is a profit hungry, ultra efficient machine that's always out to make a buck.  The fact of that matter is, people don't eat the same thing all over the world.  It's just not realistic.  You could never sell profit numbers of burgers in India.  They don't tend to eat beef.  That's just one example.

What's happened over the years is that there have been amazing restaurant designs and variations on the menu to help the fast food giant blend in with the local culture in its locations around the world.  Should you stop in and check it out as you travel?  Why not?  Comparison can be an eye opening experience.

Budapest Train Station.  Gary He, "McAtlas."

There are some amazing variations on the menu all over the world.

The McRice in Indonesia.  The Prawn Burger in Japan.  Beer in France and Germany.  The McSpaghetti in the Philippines.  A salsa chicken cheese burger on a green bun in Taiwan.  McBaguette in Paris.  McArabia in the Middle East.  Big Spicy McWrap Paneer in India.  India is also home to the family of McCheese Sandwiches.  Istanbul has Churros.  There's a Chicken Big Mac in the UK.  The list goes on and on with Focaccia Bread in Italy, and it seems to never end.  The variations in the menu can make the visit worthwhile.

 

Shenzhen, China.  Gary He, "McAtlas."

Formerly Russia and and currently China also have McDonald's.  It's hard to find a spot where they don't exist in metropolitan areas.

Why are they so popular?  The Big Mac has been a world famous burger for decades.  It's the single most popular sandwich on the menu to this day.  When you travel around the world and check out the various McDonald's, you'll find that even the Big Mac  has variations.  On the name as well as the structure.

The Chicken Maharaja Mac is an Indian version and it is, in fact, Chicken.  Hindus don't eat beef.  Cows are sacred.  The Greek Mac is found in Greece and Cyprus, and is served in a pita with tzatziki sauce.  There's a Kosher Big Mac in Israel that doesn't have cheese because of religious standards.  Some countries offer even bigger Macs with more patties or larger ones.  In Argentina they grill the patties instead of frying.  

  

Doha, Qatar.  Gary He, "McAtlas."

I'm a traveler, and I've seen a lot of things.  I've been part of that group back in the 1990's that sought out Hard Rock Cafes.  I've tasted a lot of things.  I've been to the McDonald's in Moscow pre Ukrainian War when it was still affiliated with McDonald's.  I've seen a lot of McDonald's and I've experienced some unusual stuff.

Guatemala City.  Gary He, "McAtlas."

Taupo, New Zealand.  Gary He, "McAtlas."

The world over, you just never know what you might find.  A McDonald's attached to a DC3?  A McDonald's literally shaped like a happy meal?  You don't realize it here in the states, but McDonald's has been one of the most creative and adaptable fast food chains in the world.

Ein Bokek, Dead Sea, Israel.  Gary He, "McAtlas."

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  Gary He, "McAtlas."

You can find McDonald's all over the world and in some locations you'd never imagine.  You can buy a cheese free Big Mac at the Dead Sea.  It's hard to imagine all the crazy locations where you can find a McDonald's.

Kuwait.  Gary He, "McAtlas."

Singapore. Gary He, "McAtlas."

Even Singapore has McDonald's.  They are one of the most famous food locations in the world, yet you can stop at McDonald's.

So, don't discount the experience of stopping into a McDonald's when out traveling the world.  We should all be traveling for the experience, and it's an experience you may not have thought of.  If you're out exploring and need a snack; I'd stop in and see what the local McDonald's wherever you are may have to offer.  Be like me; I'm always enlightened by what I find when I travel.

Melbourne, Australia.  Gary He, "McAtlas."

Whether it be at the top of the world, the world down under, on the other side of the world, in a place that doesn't eat beef, or somewhere as aesthetic architecture; give those international McDonald's a try and enjoy!

https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2025/01/travel/mcdonalds-around-the-world-cnnphotos/

https://www.mcdonalds.com/ca/en-ca/newsroom/article/International-Menu-Heist--Global-McDonald-s-Inspired-Icons-Appear-in-Canada.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uXNUbiFWJc

https://www.eatthis.com/mcdonalds-food-around-the-world/

https://www.boredpanda.com/we-compared-the-nutritional-value-of-big-macs-from-20-different-countries/

https://mcdonaldsblog.in/2023/11/all-eyes-on-the-mccheese-burger-family/

https://www.businessinsider.com/best-international-mcdonalds-menu-items-gary-he-2024-9

https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us.html

Check out my other stuff!

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https://www.youtube.com/@ninakindred9466 

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Off to Moscow in This Week's Fast Five!

My first question to you would be have you ever met me?  I'm fascinated with Russia.  I've been to both Russia and The Soviet Union, depending on which year you talk about of my trips.  I know that there's a war and we can't really go now, but once in a while I miss Mother Russia, and I thought I'd mention a few things that you may not have thought of that you can find in Moscow.

1.    Krutitsky Court.  This is historical in so many ways, and beautiful in so many ways.  Krutitsky was erected first in the 1200's.  This was a few hundred years after the creation of the Russian Orthodox Church and before the Romanovs became the leaders of the empire.  

It's been many things over the centuries.  It was built and rebuilt in the first several centuries.  It was once a military warehouse at the height of the Romanov Dynasty in the 1700's and through the next hundred or more years.  It was restored after WWII and eventually returned to the church after the fall of communism in the 1990's.

It doesn't get more historic, and it's not far from the center of the city where the Kremlin and Red Square are.  Today, Krutitsky Court is the personal Metochin of Moscow's Patriarch.

https://www.rbth.com/special/discovering_russia/2016/08/05/krutitsky-court-excursion-into-moscows-past_618593

https://www.russinfo.in/moscow/parks-palaces/krutitsky-metochion/

https://qvedo.com/details/a1c7c1fa386a7274-palace-of-the-metropolitans-of-krutitsky

https://www.tripadvisor.co.nz/AttractionProductReview-g298484-d23757043-Private_Walking_Tour_to_Krutitsky_Metochion_Novospassky_Monastery-Moscow_Central_R.html

https://www.gw2ru.com/travel/3806-krutitsy-court-moscow

2.    The Apothecary Garden.  This park was created by the authority of Peter the Great himself in 1706 to grow medicinal plants.  It is believed that he planted three of the trees that stand today, himself.  As time moved on the University of Moscow took over in 1805 and it is a beautiful city garden and park today.  It's in a museum district not far from downtown, and is a serene and gorgeous outdoor venue in the country's capital.  It's the oldest botanical garden in all of Russia.

https://rusmania.com/central/moscow-federal-city/moscow/meschansky/beyond-the-garden-ring-around-prospekt-mira/apothecarys-garden-of-the-botanical-garden-of-moscow-state-university

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g298484-d2467468-Reviews-Aptekarskiy_Ogorod_Botanical_Garden-Moscow_Central_Russia.html

https://www.russinfo.in/moscow/parks-palaces/apothecary-garden/

https://www.eng.petersway.org/monuments/russia/moscow/old_botanical_garden/

https://www.hse.ru/recommends/news/904291128.html

3.    The Museum of Soviet Arcade Games.  This one is self explanatory, and reportedly closed according to some places on the internet.  It's also reportedly open according to others.  Do I know?  No.  What I do know is that if anyone's ever played Tetris, you know how much Russians love video games, so this is a great place to stop.  In America we have Fun Spot Park in New Hampshire, and in Moscow this isn't far from the famous TV tower.

I truly hope it isn't closed.  This would be a lot of fun.

https://15kop.ru/

https://arcadeblogger.com/2019/06/15/the-museum-of-soviet-arcade-games/

https://hum54-15.omeka.fas.harvard.edu/exhibits/show/rediscovering-the-ordinary-wit/museum-of-soviet-arcade-machin

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/soviet-arcade-game-museum

In case the one in Moscow is closed, there's one in St. Petersburg!

https://www.introducingsaintpetersburg.com/museum-soviet-arcade-machines

4.    Rostokino Aqueduct Park.  Also known as Milliony Bridge over the River Yauza was built in the late 1700's and was part of Moscow's first centralized water supply.  Built on the authority of Catherine the Great, it's 1,168 feet long, 62 feet high and has 21 individual arches.  It's totally reminiscent of something the Romans would have built.

The aqueduct is a historically protected structure, a pedestrian bridge and part of a small park in central Moscow.  It's quiet, pretty and has some great views.  There were rumors that it was permanently closed, but it was only a temporary closing for repairs and is otherwise open to the public as a park.

https://mindtrip.ai/attraction/moscow-russia/rostokinsky-aqueduct/at-SEZIgDxE

https://4traveler.me/en/travel/moscow/rostokino-aqueduct-moscow

https://qvedo.com/details/23e3212b040f3e10-aqueduct

https://rusmania.com/central/moscow-federal-city/moscow/outer-north/rostokino-district/rostokino-aqueduct

https://www.likealocalguide.com/moscow/rostokino-aqueduct

5.    Sokol Artist's Village.  Nestled not far from all those big tall buildings in the modern parts of Moscow sits a timeless village of dachas.  It almost feels like you've left the city altogether.  What's it all about?

In the early days of communism, this settlement began on what was the outskirts of the city at the time.  Lenin, himself was part of the idea of cooperative settlements such as this.  Since the 1970's it's been under state protection and currently is locally self governing.  A few of the dachas have been sold to rich people in more recent times, and the rich people have torn them down and put more modern villas in their place, but the village is still quaint and yet sits right in the middle of urban development.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/sokol

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/10/18/sokol-artists-village-in-the-colors-of-autumn-a75306

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g298484-i718-k12771806-Sokol_garden_city_quarter-Moscow_Central_Russia.html

https://mapcarta.com/N1274540186

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/02/07/the-quiet-battle-to-save-moscows-historical-architecture-a84008

There you have it.  Have I visited any of these sites?  Yes, a couple and I thought they were fascinating.  Do I think Americans should be traveling to Russia right now?  No.  Do I hope we'll be able to in the future?  Yes!

In the meantime, check out my YouTube Channel, Adventures for Anyone and see all the great things I'm finding in New York City and the Northeast of the United States!

https://www.youtube.com/@ninakindred9466

You'll find 5 vlogs each week and a lot of them are about unique things to see and do where I live!

Enjoy!