Never-Eat-Soggy-Waffles (or Shredded Wheat)

I'll be the last person to say that I am good with directions - let alone the directionals on a compass (even though, thanks to 2nd grade, I can remember the clockwise order on the compass of North-East-South-West).  And if someone tells me to travel Northwest towards blah, blah, blah...they might as well speak to me in Japanese - 'cause I'm not understanding a single word they are saying! 

Furthermore, I have very difficult time figuring what I'm looking at on a map and would probably still be in Delaware County without my GPS (and we all know I've been known to get lost on the way to the King of Prussia Mall when there is a detour on my usual route -right, Victoria?-)... 

I am much better with landmarks and know the area rather than the street name.  I can vividly see stores (surprising -I know) or exit signs - but to try to explain to me how to get somewhere with telling me to make a right on this Ave and a left on that Lane, my eyes glaze over.

Unfortunately for me, my visual theory goes to the wayside in New York because if someone were to tell me "Oh, make a right at the Starbucks" or "Turn left at the I <3 New York Memorabilia Store..." yeah, well there are thousands here - so I might as well put a blindfold on and see where I end up! 

Luckily for me, though, I am pleased to report that New Yorkers are more than happy to help navigate you to wherever you need to go.  In the last month I have been in need of some help finding my way in New York City or in Hoboken and contrary to popular belief, people have really gone out of their way to explain how to get there and then make sure that I understood the route before letting me go on my way. 

Now, of course, I haven't been asking bums on the street where to go - typically I look for a police officer or people in business suits (usually ones that look like my brother or Dad if I can find them - *somehow it seems more legit if the directions are coming from a semi-familiar face...*) or sometimes I will ask city workers.  So far, I have gotten to my desired destinations without any problems and really appreciate the help that I have been given thus far.

Walking to and from the train, I also have tons of opportunities to "people watch" everyday.  There are thousands upon thousands of tourists in New York everyday and honestly, anytime I've witnessed people asking for directions, their experience is very similar to mine. 

It is very refreshing to know that in a city as busy as New York with the unfortunate stereotype of people moving as fast as possible and don't want to stop for anything or anyone - that, generally speaking, they are more than happy to lend a helping hand to a turned-around-fish-out-of-water. 

So my hope is that maybe as I learn my way around a little better and look like I know this city like the back of my hand, I can return the favor to someone else who in need of a friendly smile and a direct route to their Big Apple point on interest!