Last Monday was my first day on the subway in NYC by myself. I thought to myself I can do this! I did all the research. I wrote down the addresses, subway stops, and changes I would need to make. My agenda was to get from the airport to the hotel, then the consulate.

I left the airport excited to start my adventure and got on the air train. I got to Jamaica Station with no problems. I stood on the platform nervously waiting for my train. I thought in the back of my mind, I know where I am going so I don’t need to double check or ask anyone. I can do this I thought. I got on the J train, I knew after the 1^st stop by looking at the map that I had gotten on the wrong train.

I got off the train and looked at the map and tried to figure out what I had done wrong. I realized I was supposed to get on the E train. While I was waiting I asked and double checked with a young teenage couple also waiting. So I got back on the train and headed back to Jamaica Station. There I got on the E train. I liked this train! It was an express train and went fast. I just wanted to get to the consulate and drop off my stuff fro my visa.

Finally, I arrived at the spot to transfer, I got off and found the green 6 train with no problems. I made sure to pay attention so I knew when to get off. I only went a few stops and got off at Hunter College. I thought this wasn’t to hard until I got to the top of the stairs. I didn’t know which way to go. I didn’t want to be in anyone’s way or feel like a tourist, so I just walked. After about ½ a block I asked and old man if he knew what direction we were going in. I was to relieved to find out that he knew only because he asked someone. I had realized it was much easier to ask someone than to get lost. We chatted as we walked. I told him I was trying to find the consulate because I was moving to Indonesia. He thought it was exciting to move so far away.

I was relieved that I only had to walk a few blocks. I was tired of hauling my luggage around. I got to the consulates office and realized I didn’t have my flight information for the application. I had asked my mom to email it to me then I had changed my plans and went straight to the consulate instead of going to the hotel first. I didn’t want to back track. So, I called my mom and was worried that she wouldn’t answer her phone because she was at work. It rang and rang and finally she answered. I asked if she still had all my flight information. I explained about changing my plans and hadn’t checked my email. I know needed the information over the phone. She gave me all the numbers and I wrote them all down. Next, I asked the consulate which flight number was needed because I had 3 flights. He said, “the flight when you are coming into the country.” I went back to the sitting area and put in the flight number from Hong Kong to Jakarta. Then I happily gathered all my materials: letters from JIS, passport, photo, money order and application. I handed it to the consulate. He looked it over and said , “You just need to sign your passport.” He smiled and said it would be ready on Wednesday. He asked for my cell just in case there was any problems.

I left the consulate office with a sigh of relief knowing that almost everything was done for JIS. I walked back to the subway station. I got to Grand Central and didn’t have any problems finding the right train. But I did double check with a nice young Asian girl for help. She told me I could get on get on the 2 or the 3 but would need to transfer to the 1 at 96^th street because only the 1 went to 116^th. I rode for 20minutes or so and got off at 116^th. I knew that’s where Columbia University was and my hotel was only a few blocks away.

I got off the train and at the top of the steps was an information booth. So I stopped and asked the man about my hotel. I couldn’t remember the name but new it started with Mar-something He had never heard of it. That worried me so I dug through my laptop bag and found my confirmation. I told him and showed him the title, The Marrakech Hotel and it was on Broadway. He thought it would only be a few blocks maybe 4 or 5. I started walking with all my luggage. I went 4 or 5 blocks and the address was not getting much closer. It was so hot and over 90 degrees outside and my bags were so heavy. I kept changing shoulders with my bags. I walked 8 or 9 blocks and saw a McDonald’s so I decided to stop there and get a sweet tea. Since it was 11am and I had been up since 4am and hadn’t ate breakfast I got a yogurt parfait as well. I sat and enjoyed my food and the air conditioning. I started my computer and tried to check my email but it didn’t work. I was so but decided I should just find my hotel. So I left McDonald’s and walked so more. I walked 3 or 4 more blocks and found my hotel. I was frustrated to find out that there was a subway stop right across the street. I had walked 13 blocks with my luggage and was exhausted.

I opened the door only to see a long set of steep stairs. I struggled but made it. I got to the desk and told them my name. Unfortunately my room wasn’t ready but I was glad I had finally made it!