I came to New York with an irrational fear of the Subway system. Growing up between Southern California and Maui, public transit is not very common, and underground transit is nonexistent. After spending a day and fifty dollars on cabs, I finally bought a subway card, and took the subway down to the World Trade Center. Like the Hero’s journey, I descended park avenue, turned through the gates, and got on the subway. The first few minutes weren’t bad, but then I couldn’t shake the reality of being packed in an underground tube with hundreds of strangers, with no fresh air and no light. The next twenty minutes were miserable and anxious, but there was nothing like walking up those stairs and seeing the light after half an hour of darkness. I survived- it really wasn’t as bad as I thought- just another case of me being a drama queen. The ride back uptown was better, and now that I understand how the system works, it is really amazing how intricate an underground transit system can be.

I think overcoming my discomfort on the subway is a metaphor for this week in New York. You have to go beneath the surface to get out of your comfort zone and grow personally.

Now all I worry about is the germs from the hand rails. We are making progress.

Kiana Griffith 5.7.18