Last week I went with Jim to New York and this time I tackled the rail system. Let’s just say I’m glad I don’t live there and have to rely on it on a daily basis. Check out the map here. See how a few of the stops have a handicapped symbol next to them? Those are the only accessible stations, and thus the only places I can take the train to and from.

Just because a station says it’s accessible, doesn’t mean it’s easy to get to the train. I found that regular Metrocards (used to pay the fare) don’t work on the accessible gates, so we ended up setting off a lot of alarms opening the accessible gates from the inside. I’m still not sure exactly how things are supposed to work.

We were able to train it from Newark, NJ to the Chinese consulate (by way of World Trade Center, which has about a thousand different elevators you have to take to avoid the escalators and stairs). The consulate is hella not accessible, but I wasn’t really expecting much. Jim wheelied me up the steps, a process involving tilting my chair back so the front wheels clear the step; I am not yet cool enough to be able to do this by myself, but apparently it’s possible. I waited downstairs for him to renew his passport, during which time I did not hit on any guys. Not for lack of worthy targets, I assure you- but they were all accompanied by girls.

We ate at the nearby Zen Palate (their Theatre District location). I was a little disappointed that it’s not entirely vegan- their menu denotes which items have dairy and/or eggs- but there were tons of vegan choices nonetheless. We got Sesame Medallions (a tasty wheat gluten dish) and Felicity Mushrooms, followed by a delicious but tiny slice of banana cream pie. I liked this place and would go there again, but it’s nothing spectacular. It is accessible (as is its bathroom), though it would be difficult to navigate through if crowded.

Jim wanted to go to the American Museum of Natural History, but as you can see from the subway map, it’s not train/wheelchair compatible, so we took the bus. As I mentioned last time I went to New York, the bus drivers there seem much friendlier than in Philly. Stay tuned for pictures from the dead-animal-laden AMNH.