A Big Pimpin' Scooter Journey into the Darkness below 30th Street #301

A blacked out Manhattan. 

I really didn't realise how serious this hurricane was, until I scooter-ed my way [by scooter I mean an 8year old's push scooter] down to the West Village to drop supplies off to friends. The trains are now running to 34th Street which isn't the best but it's better than nothing. So I got off at 34th St and began my scooter-pimp-filled journey down to 12th Street. Four blocks into my 'pimping journey' and the city went pitch black - it was like I crossed and invisible border into complete darkness. For those of you who haven't been to NY it's hard to understand how unusual it is to have no lights at all. But believe me when you've lived here, and know what it's like, it's terrifying to see the city in darkness. There is absolutely NO light at all. And imagine buildings that are so close together they block out any form of natural light that might come from the moon and such. SCARY. Instead of traffic lights they have flares burning at major intersections [see photo below] and a police officer controlling traffic (if you're lucky).  Below 24th Street there's no more flares and no more police officers - you're on your own. If you've seen the movie I am Legend then you know exactly what I was dealing with - minus the crazy monster things.  Unfortunately I only had 14% battery remaining on my phone, so using it's built-in flashlight was allowed only when absolutely necessary. Imagine trying to cross one of the busiest avenues in the world with no traffic signals, complete darkness, black clothing, and a small phone flashlight - it was not fun. I dodged taxis and got tooted at many times - but I'm alive. I then forgot how much I relied on the lights and the architecture to navigate where I was. I ended up getting lost in the crazy sideways grid of the West Village with only, by this time, 9% battery on my phone. I made the decision to use the last of that battery to access my maps and find out where I was. Luckily I was only 2 blocks from my destination. I got away lucky. I really do feel for the tourists - this must be a nightmare. I know I sure wont be doing that again! 

Just to give you some context, New York has never ever gone this long (we're at day 4) without power to downtown Manhattan. The subways have never been out-of-service this long, ever. And most of the 'moving and shaking' in New York happens downtown. I don't know what this means for the city but it's definitely going to be part of the 'New York history books'.

Flares at the intersections

No Traffic Signals, no street lights. 

Morgs