1. If you're out and about make sure you have your hands free. I'm serious. You don't necessarily need to go for the "cross-body" bag that you see all the tourists wearing, but it makes life so so much easier if you aren't constantly thinking about holding your purse. The crook-of-the-arm purse is a no-go. I mean, I have some of them, but they are always annoying if I'm out and about. I am really a fan of the shoulder bag that also has easy access (for me, not to pick-pockets!!) to all my essentials.
2. This brings me to my next point: organize your purse! Essentials for walking around NYC for me consist of hand sanitizer, metro card, wallet. Literally those three things I might need at a moment's notice! So it is important to keep them handy but still concealed (well, at least the metro card and especially wallet). What I do is I keep my metro card and hand sanitizer in the same pocket (always) near the opening of the purse. That way I know where to look and retrieve quickly. I also make sure to keep my wallet in the center of the purse, always closed and at the ready.
3. Download the free app called NextStop. This is the most BRILLIANT invention for people who can't (or won't) understand the subways. And let me tell you, I've lived here for 2 years and I still use this quite a lot. I of course have my daily routine down, but if I need to go somehwere new I always consult. The reason why this app is amazing is becuase it has a bunch of easy-use views of the subway. Not only does it include a traditional subway map (which if you ask me, is confusing. So just don't use this) -- it also has these sections:
"Favorites" -- where you can keep your favorite subways. I don't have favorite subway lines, but okay.
"Nearby" -- this is very cool. If you don't know where the nearest subway is, this will tell you.
"Map" -- traditional subway map. Confusing and just not good for really understanding what the subway will do.
"Lines" -- MY FAV. Will explain below.
"Alerts" -- honestly never use this but I suppose it would be helpful. Usually you just have to listen to announcers either on the train or in the station. They will tell you if a line has trouble. And remember, if you find yourself in Brooklyn or Queens do not panic. You can get back. I promise.
Okay so the "Lines" feature:
Amazing. it essentially lists all the lines (1,2,3,7,4,5 etc etc) and you can click on each one (the one you want to know about). If you click on the "1," for example, it lists (in the order of how it stops) each stop the train will make. This gets rid of ANY confusion about whether or not a certain train will stop at a certain station. As you may know, subway lines can get confusing because some will stop at all stops on the line, and some won't, and it's just hard to remember OR figure out from the stupid traditional map. This feature never fails. You can count how many stops until you get off, you can help strangers if they are confused, you can know where the heck you are. Oh! And the best part? It acutally works in the subway -- no wireless needed.
4. For navigating the streets, pay attention to which way the traffic is moving. This is key. I don't care what google maps has come out with to tell you where you are and which direction you're facing. You need to understand in real life or you're going to be stuck to a machine that may fail you. You can still use Google maps (I do all the time) but just simply look (you may need to zoom in) at which way the traffic is going on the map. They have little arrows on the roads. Once you've figured that out, simply look around and detect which way the traffic is moving around you. Sync it up and you're golden. Yes, I realize you still are relying on the map a bit, but you won't be literally walking with the phone out in front of you looking like a fool.
5. Take deep breaths. It is going to be okay.
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