Post Pandemic NYC Revives

 Over April break I spent an overnight in NYC with my youngest daughter - this was on her request. Although I have loved the vibrancy of the city from my teen years forward, the pull it used to have is no longer there for me. But my rebel soul enjoyed the challenge: NYC post pandemic - when many people around me are still in awe that they step inside a restaurant - I’m there!

Overall: the city will survive and predictions of it becoming a "ghost town" are wildly condescending. In Grand Central Station most of the lower level restaurants have closed. However walking the streets (we were mostly downtown) there are tons of restaurants that have been allowed (probably for a lot of $) to expand outdoor dining onto the street; so the streets look quite different with all of these restaurants. While in an Uber I felt like we were going through a tunnel with these dining huts on both sides. They take up former parking spaces right on the street. Many are decorated with flowers so it's quite pretty. 

There were noticeably fewer yellow taxis. Twice when trying to hail one, we gave up and ordered Ubers. Some of the large tourist area stores were closed such as the flagships Gap and Old Navy in Times Square. But down in SoHo all the regular designer, mall brand and boutique stores were open and had shoppers, although dressing rooms were closed. Many kept count of patrons allowed indoors but being a mid week in April we never had to wait to enter.

Mask usage is similar to what I see in Connecticut: 95-99 % usage while those eating, drinking, smoking, running  or biking are unmasked with no complaints.

Citibikes were everywhere and my daughter would've been happy to rent one if old mom wasn't so hesitant. There are many bike lanes so my safety concern was quickly tamped down. But I haven't even ridden a bike in years and didn't want to pay the $30 ($15 each per day) and then discover it killed my back after 5 minutes. They even have electric ones that I would choose for myself.

My Mom-Brain stays Vigilant on Vacation

Standing in the warm California sun my daughters and I watch for a red Toyota Corolla.  Although we are technically at CBX airport, we are the only ones on this side street with our luggage at the curb.  After dropping off our rental car I thought it would be easier for our Lyft driver to find us here than walking back to the terminal where so many shuttles and taxis jockeyed for position at the curb.

“Eduardo?”

“Carol?”

And so another Lyft/Uber/”Transportation in the the year 2018” ride begins.  Since the car is small, I sit in front noting the driver using 2 cell phones and both are in Spanish.  I’m worried he will take us to the wrong hotel. He fiddles with both phones and I complement that his car is a manual transmission attempting a connection which seems usual when opting for a personal driver vs. a taxi. Yes, he only drives manual. I don’t feel like volunteering that both of my adult children also drive manual and it is a theft deterrent. Feeling a bit ‘off’ I cannot sustain anymore small talk.  

What if his wave to some men on the street is a signal that he has a couple young gringas to sell…and this old lady they’ll need to dispose of. I try to convince myself I watch too much Law & Order and try to decide how this abduction could occur. We are literally within 1/10 mile of the Mexican border. Maybe there is a secret tunnel – Mexicans come into the country through it, but also unsuspecting Americans are smuggled out. If we get into the tunnel by driving into a warehouse and I protest, what could I do? They open the doors and make us get out – we have nothing, no luggage, no purse, no id, no money.  Shouting in Spanish they start to push my girls to another vehicle.  I scream and plead…but will I just be shot?  Does my story end?

Although the road seemed unfamiliar, I’m starting to see San Diego come into view. Maybe we really are moving away from the border and toward our hotel. My heart rate slowly decreases. He’s handling the shifting well, it’s smooth but still a little jerky. We’re definitely in San Diego now and I suppose I definitely watch too much Law & Order. As we pull up to the hotel Eduardo helps us with our bags and we say good bye.  When my notification pops up at the conclusion of the ride I give him the highest suggested tip, after all, we weren’t smuggled to Mexico.

Don't Talk to Your Toddlers in the Car

*** I'm clearing out my computer files and posting any unpublished blog postsn: this one should be filed under Parenting Tips! ***

When my 2^nd child was approaching the talking age, I told myself not to answer him in the car; let him just get used to talking to himself.  Why, did I purposely squelch my infant’s emerging vocal curiosity? Because when my first baby started talking in the car I had responded to everything she said.  I clarified and asked leading questions. Oh, I was entranced by her intelligence and how easy it was to teach her descriptive words. …She said “truck.” And I said “yes, there goes a big truck.” Next time she’d say “big truck.” And I’d say “what do you think is in the big truck?” … But, I forgot where I was going!  With a talking 2 yr old and an almost 1 yr old in the car, I suddenly lost the ability to plan a logical route for my errands.  I needed some sanity!

Once my sanity somewhat returned and I added another small cherub to my minivan, I decided the key was to lead the conversation.  Here’s a game I started playing with the children when they were about 5 years old.  Today I played it with my 9 year old and realized that she has been heavily influenced by the GPS when she told me to “press destination” and “type in our address.”

“Take Me Home” Game (ages 5 and up)

1.   Ask your child to give you directions to a familiar destination.  Start with something very easy, for example: when you are within 2 blocks from home ask her to tell you how to get home. 
2. Instruct your child on correct terms for giving directions: turn right, proceed straight through the traffic light, etc.
3. Remind them that you need to know what is coming up, because the driver cannot make sudden stops or turns.
4. Allow them to steer you the wrong way!  This is fun as they realize “oh no, we past the turn!” Depending on their level, turn around and let them help you get back on the right route.  Today with my 9 year old, she was able to have me turn at the next street and figure out how to return to the route without turning around,
5.   Add street names once they have mastered giving simple directions.  Warn them that you’ll be asking for street names next trip and point them out.  When he says “turn right at the next street,” repeat back “so, I turn right at Maple St.”

The bonuses of this game are the children:

•          Learn the street names of their own neighborhood
•          In an emergency will be able to give directions to their home
•          Become observers of their surroundings
•          Learn step procedures
•          Build confidence