RIDING ON THE NEW JERSEY TRANSIT

When I go to a New Jersey Devils hockey game like I did last night, October 1st, I normally take the New York City subway, F train from Queens to 33rd or 23rd street and take the PATH train to Penn Station in Newark, New Jersey, which is across the street from Prudential Center.

This time, I tried something different.

I took a Long Island Railroad train from my station, Locust Manor to the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station in New York and took a train that I haven’t taken in years.

It was a New Jersey Transit train and the final stop for me was Penn Station in Newark.

The train is cheaper than taking the PATH train and it’s faster.

I was able to get a senior rate, something that I really don’t get on the PATH Train.

It was $2.45 each way and as I said it’s faster.

Roughly 15-20 minutes from New York Penn Station to Newark Penn Station, with a stop in Secaucus, New Jersey.

The PATH train takes about an hour, making many stops in New York City on the way to Journal Square in Jersey City.

After that, you have to change and take the train to Newark, with a stop in Harrison, New Jersey before you even get to Newark.

Don’t need to tell you how tiring that is.

Plus it’s $2.75 each way, without a senior rate.

It stops at the same place as the New Jersey Transit train does, but whereas the PATH train’s final stop is Newark, the New Jersey Transit train’s final stop could be ANYWHERE in New Jersey or even Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Both trains stop at tracks next to each other, so don’t get confused.

Now that I have a new and faster way to do a 30 Plus Teams Tour of the place they call, “The Garden State”, I’m surely going to take advantage of it.

COMING HOME ON THE NOT SO FRIENDLY SKIES OF UNITED AIRLINES

I returned back to New York on Friday morning , actually Newark Liberty Airport , after spending 5 great days doing a 30 Plus Teams Tour of Las Vegas .

Las Vegas to Newark Liberty Airport turned out to be a cheaper fare than flying into the airport that’s in my backyard , JFK .

I got a “Basic Economy ” ticket from United Airlines .

I hadn’t flown on United Airlines since I lived in Los Angeles and that was a long time ago .

After the flight was over, I can see why I hadn’t flown them in years .

For one thing , United Airlines at Las Vegas McCarron International Airport isn’t in Terminal 1, where most of the other domestic carriers are.

It’s located in Terminal 3 where most of the International flights are.

To get from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3, you must take a shuttle bus .

If you want to try to walk to Terminal 3 from Terminal 1, dont even think about it .

This is Las Vegas after all , where things aren’t as close as they seem .

It’s not even close, and for some reason , there’s no Terminal 2.

Don’t ask.

When I finally arrived at the terminal to check in, I looked at the flights going back to the New York City area, which is Newark Liberty and JFK .

‘Cancelled , Cancelled , Cancelled , Delayed ‘.

Due to really bad weather in New York and New Jersey , a lot of flights have been cancelled.

Mine was delayed frim 10:45pm until 11:05pm.

Great.

I walked up to the kiosk and put in ny information .

I was going to carry on my little bag which was airline approved to fit into the overhead bin.

No such luck .

It wasn’t approved by United.

“Oh no. You have a basic economy ticket. You can only have a personal item. You have to check in your bag which is full size. It’s $30.”

This wasn’t friendly at all.

I’ve flown on other airlines with “Basic Economy “and let’s just say the Sports Diva isn’t a happy camper right now .

When I got to my gate , more surprises were to come.

‘This is a gate and time change for United flight 1999 with service to Newark Liberty . The flight is now leaving on time at 10:45pm and is now leaving from Gate 56 insted of Gate 53.

I was getting a lot of exercise in Vegas, even at the airport.

When we finally got on board , we were delayed again .

NO AIRCONDITIONING!

United really?

I was looking for entertainment but United wanted you to download their own app BEFORE you get on the plane, so you could watch movies, play movies,etc.

C’mon United step up your game, you aren’t Spirit Airlines .

I was so tired that I didn’t care that I was sitting in the middle seat or that I even missed the safety demonstration .

There was more “friendliness” from United when I looked for my bag.

After getting myself refreshed, I went to the baggage claim where my bag was.

Or at least where it should been.

I went down to baggage claim number 6 , and even though this was the the baggage claim for Flight 1999 , my bag was no where to to be found.

I went to the baggage office for all airlines, handed the lady my tag, and even described my bag, only to have the lady tell me;

“Nope, no leopard bag here. Did they tell you it was here?”

I was told to go to the United Baggage area where they could trace my bag.

The lady behind the counter looked as though I was interrupting her from something important , like a happy hour meeting or something .

“Oh your bag is at Baggage Claim 2.”

I walked to the baggage claim not wanting to know how on earth my bag got to a baggage claim where flight 1999 didn’t even arrive at .

I was ready to get out and take the PATH train to New York City .

After all this travelling by plane, I was more than ready to deal with the crazies on the New York City subways .

If it sounds like the Sports Diva had the return flight from hell, yeah I did.

Thank you United Airlines .

WHAT TO WEAR TO A HOCKEY GAME

Another 30 Plus Teams  Tour  of New York  City  /New Jersey  is about to happen . 

Again I’m  off to  Prudential  Center  in Newark, New Jersey  to see the New Jersey  Devils  and Boston  Bruins  play, and yes, I’m  going to  take the PATH  train . 

What do you wear when your 30 Plus  Teams  Tour  of a city includes a hockey game ? 

If you really  aren’t  a fan of either team, you can go with the team  colors.

In the case of the Devils ,  it’s  black, red, and white.

However ,  just because  it’s  a hockey  game ,  don’t  do what happens  to  be  a  major pet peeve of way too many hockey fans, including  me.

Don’t  put on a jersey of a team that isn’t  even playing . 

It might be a hockey game you’re  going to but don’t  bust out a New York  Rangers  or a Pittsburgh  Penguins  hockey jersey unless those teams are playing . 

Stay in your lane.

Know what teams you’re  going to  see.

If you decide  to  go with the “it’s a hockey game ,   so I’m  going to wear a hockey jersey  no matter what team it is” thingy, be ready for some side glances not only from the home team fans, but from the visiting fans too.

Hockey fans are very passionate and will definitely  make comments about the swag you have on.

Also ,  please  don’t  show up in a football  or basketball  jersey to a hockey game.

Really, don’t  take it there.

Once again ,  know  the sport that you’re  going  to  see.

If you have to, buy a hat from the city that you’re  in.

Wear that Atlantic City  hat proudly if you’re  in New Jersey . 

Better yet , don’t  wear any team stuff or their colors  at all.

Just go to the game and take in all the craziness  that is seeing a hockey game in person . 

What about if one of your teams is playing?

Let me show you.

1. My Boston  Bruins jersey that I brought from the Hockey Hall of  Fame Store in Toronto  oh so many years ago.

2. My black pants from The Rainbow  Shops in the United  States.

3. My sneakers and socks are from Payless  Shoe Stores in the United  States.

4. The rings and bracelets  are from Forever  21   and H&M.

5. The necklace  belonged  to  my late aunt and I  wear it all the time.

To complete my what to wear to a hockey  game  look, oh yeah, you’d  better  believe  I’m  going  all out.

My jacket has the colors of the team that I’m  rooting for.

Gold (yellow) on the inside and black on the outside . 

It’s  not reversable ,  though.

On the front ,  there’s  the logo of the Boston  Bruins . 

I’m  ready to  go . 

Now THIS is what  to wear when you go to a hockey  game . 

START SPREADING THE NEWS- NEW YORK , NEW YORK – RIDING THE NEW YORK CITY BUS

I had just left 45th street  and  Fifth  Avenue  in the city . 

I  was going  to  the  next stop  on my own  30 Plus  Teams  Tour  of New York  City . 

I  was going to  The Cloisters, all the way  up at 190th street . 

I could  have  taken the  A Train  at 42nd street to get to 190th street ,  but after that I  would  have  had a very long  walk to  get to the museum . 

From growing  up  in the city and knowing the New York  City  bus and subway system  like I know the back of my hand, I  knew exactly  what  bus to take, the M4.

It stops right in front  of  the  museum, so the only walking you have to do is walk in the front door and admire the art from the Middle  Ages . 

A few things to know about the New York  City  bus system  if you happen  to  be  in  New  York  City . 

Like the subways ,  they are part of the  Metropolitan  Transit  Authority ,  the MTA . 

Unlike  the  subway ,  the blue seats on the buses are clean . 

They really  don’t  want  people  eating  or drinking  on the bus.

But this is New York  City ,  people  are  going  to  do it anyway   and nobody  is  going  to  stop them.

You must  have  exact  change  if you don’t  have  a Metro   card.

The drivers carry  no change and the fare boxes don’t  accept  dollar  bills.

Dollar coins yes, but dollar bills  nope.

Have those Metro cards ready when you board the bus.

You can get them at stores or if you happen to  use the subway . 

Same Metro  card works for  the  bus and subway, as well  as  the  PATH  train if you happen  to  be  going  to  New Jersey . 

The New York  City  buses are blue and white.

Some are blue and yellow  and now some of them have WiFi . 

If you happen  to  see a bus  with the  words  “LIMITED  ” on it, the bus isn’t  going to  make every stop, just certain  ones . 

You’ll  see these buses mostly  on morning and afternoon  rush hours.

It’s  the local  buses that you want.

They make all stops.

If you aren’t  sure where exactly  the bus goes to ,  ask the driver before you  get on.

Better yet ,  do your research  BEFORE  you get to New York or in your hotel, hostel ,  or Airbnb  before you go anywhere . 

The bus stops  are clearly  marked with red, white and blue signs  with numbers on them. 

The numbers are marked with letters  according  to  what borough  you’re  in.

Confused?

Let’s  make this simple  for you.

We’ll  use the bus that took me all the way from 47th  street  and Madison  Avenue  up to 190th Street  and Margaret  Corbin  Drive as an example ,  the M4.

The letter M before the  bus number tells you that this route goes in the city, Manhattan . 

If the bus number was Q4, you don’t  want that if you’re  going to  the city.

The Q in front  of  the  number tells you that this is a Queens bus.

If the bus number was either B4, B4  or SI4, you got it.

Your  bus was either in Brooklyn ,  The Bronx  or Staten  Island, so make sure you take the right bus.

Another thing  to  know about the  buses in the city . 

If you’re  going Downtown ,  the bus will be going down Fifth  Avenue ,  where you’ll  get up close  and  personal  with most  of  Central  Park, as well as “The  Museum  Mile”, depending  on  where you  catch  the  bus . 

If you’re  traveling  Uptown ,  the bus will be going  up Madison  Avenue . 

Since I was  traveling  up to  190th Street ,  the M4 bus went up Madison  Avenue . 

As usual ,  it took a long time  due to  the  infamous  New York  City  traffic . 

The ride took almost  an hour and a half . 

The subway  might have  been  more convenient ,  but nothing  beats a ride on the New York  City  bus so that you  can  really  get a glimpse  of  life in “The Big Apple . ”

Along the  way if you take the  M4, you’ll  be  passing  Columbia  University  on 116th Street  and if you continue onto the  Washington  Heights  section  of  the  city, at around  178th Street ,  you’ll  get a glimpse  of  the  George  Washington  Bridge , which separates  New York  City  from New Jersey . 

On a clear day ,  the view of  the  bridge is breathtaking . 

If you’re  going to  The Cloisters  like I was, get off at the very last stop.

Riding  the  bus doesn’t  only work for going to  the  Cloisters ,  but check with the front desk clerk if there’s  a bus stop close by and just take a ride to the last stop on the bus, no matter  what  direction  it’s  going in.

This is a great way to sightsee if you’re  in the city  and all it costs is the price of a Metro  card ,  $2.75.

Take the bus instead  of  the  subway . 

It may take a long time   but enjoy that long ride on the New York  City  buses and take in the scenery . 

START SPREADING THE NEWS- NEW YORK , NEW YORK . RIDING THE NEW YORK CITY SUBWAY

I’m  doing  my own  30  Plus  Teams  Tour  of  New York  City  right now . 

I’m  on my  way  to  Barclay’s  Center  in Brooklyn  for a sporting  event . 

It’s  a hockey  game  between  the  Vegas Golden  Knights  and the New York  Islanders . 

Like  many New Yorkers, I  don’t  drive  anywhere . 

I have to  take public  transportation  from my house in the borough  of Queens  to get to  Brooklyn . 

This of course ,  means taking a New York  City  subway . 

Even the train that I’m  on now, the “F” train does go into Brooklyn ,  it’s  not the section  of  Brooklyn  that Barclay’s  Center  is located in . 

The borough  of Brooklyn  is so big that if it were to break away from New York  State, it might just be the 51st state.

So, I do have to transfer to another train, something  that  a lot of New Yorkers  do quite often  whether  they’re  going  to  work ,  school ,  a Broadway  show, a dance club, or even a sporting  event . 

There’s  no way around it when you take the subway in New York  and you live in the “Outer Boroughs “, that’s  Brooklyn ,  The Bronx, Staten Island ,  and  Queens . 

You can even transfer from a New York City  subway to get the PATH train, but you do have to pay another fare.

If you transfer from one New York  City  subway to another, it’s  a free transfer.

Unlike  the  PATH  trains, the New York  City  subway is old, extremely  crowded, and I’ve  got  to  keep it real here, not very clean.

(Sportsandtravelblog.wordpress/2017/10/23 Start  -spreading  -the  -news-new-york  -new-york-a-ride-on-the-PATH-train)

If you  happen  to  be  in New York  and  take the subway  to get anywhere ,  you’ll  notice people  eating everything  from a bagel  with cream cheese  to sandwiches  and even Chinese  food.

They’ll  also be drinking their morning coffee from Dunkin Donuts and eating snacks right in your face.

Don’t  expect the NYPD  or train personnel  to tell them to stop   because it’s  New York . 

It’s  one of  the  things you just do.

You might even see people  walking through the subway  cars, begging  for  money.

You’ll  never see this if you take the  PATH  train.

The New York  City  subway  system ,  is old, very  old, and the subway  cars break down  – a lot.

Many a New Yorker would be a  billionaire  for all the times we’ve  heard this announcement when the train is either not moving or moving extremely  slow  :

“WE ARE BEING HELD AT THE STATION BY THE TRAIN DISPATCHER DUE TO TRAIN TRAFFIC UP AHEAD. WE WILL BE  MOVING  SHORTLY. WE APOLOGIZE  FOR  ANY  INCONVENIENCE . ”

My subway ride to Brooklyn  was no different . 

Like most New Yorkers, I know that train delays are a given, and that there are three sure things in our lives.

Death, taxes, and the MTA (that’s  the Metropolitan  Transit  Authority) either messing  up  your subway  ride by rerouting your train, the ever popular  “track work  “or making your ride longer than it needs to be because of  mostly  these four reasons  :

1. Someone has gotten sick on the train.

2. A fight has broken out.

3. One of the rails on the train is broken and it needs to be fixed.

4. Someone  has either jumped on , fell on, or was pushed onto the train tracks.

Normally, it takes 45 minutes to an hour or so to get to Atlantic  Avenue  in Downtown  Brooklyn . 

Not this time.

Try almost two and a half hours to reach my destination  because  my train was rerouted.

We New Yorkers like to  complain about  our subway system, how much it costs ,  why is the fare going up for such lousy service, and why are the subway cars so filthy?

In spite of these problems, we STILL take it everyday and we DARE any tourists or people  who don’t  ride it everyday  to say something  about  it.

Basically ,  it’s  a pain but it’s  our pain in the you know  what . 

Still, thank you, MTA, for making my ride on the New York  City  subway  so “enjoyable  “.