San Francisco vs. New York City

By Jennifer LiMarzi - When I landed in San Francisco for a week's vacation from New York City I immediately realized, "Toto, we're not in Queens anymore."

No worries.

If you have ever taken a plane into JFK you realize that Dante missed "baggage claim" in his stages of hell. New Yorkers move at the speed of light meaning the second they step out of the plane they are already pissed that their bags aren't out on the carousel three floors below. The windy carousel is say, 50 miles long, yet New Yorkers feel the need to ALL stand directly in front of the car-wash-like flapping strips of plastic so that they can dive directly onto their black sleek bags the second it peeks out from the baggage claim hole.

If you are really lucky, and get a true New Yorker on your flight, you may even be privy to a yelling spectacle. As people are trying to ram each other in the ankles with their smart cart luggage carriers within two feet, after about ten bags appear someone inevitably gets worried that their bag is lost. In an attempt to rush the great and powerful Oz that is unloading baggage, an impatient woman will likely move the flaps back and scream, "Have you seen a black bag with wheels, I don't see it yet. You didn't lose it did you?"

Whereas in San Francisco,  everyone just kicked back, waited for their bags to come out and actually looked as if they’d be forgiving should their luggage be stolen by a band of luggage gypsies. I think I could get used to this. I put on my big blue hiking backpack after it was spat out.

Air Train
The Air Train was recently completed in New York City, finally connecting JFK Airport with the rest of the world. This airport is notoriously difficult to get to, and I, known for always being on time and early, had missed planes and arrived late. Granted the Air Train has had some problems in its early stages, such as derailment and mysteriously veering off course into electrified train yards instead of the airport, but it was touted to be a fast, effective, and cheap way to get to JFK.

Even though the train supposedly took only a few minutes to make it to the airport, I still left plenty of time "just in case." Glad I did. Getting to the Air Train proved to be the hardest task. Slowed down by 30 pounds of backpack strapped to me and a carry-on, I headed out for the 7 Train then an E Train before getting onto the Air Train. Nothing was working. Construction here, construction there, no local trains, no escalators, no way was I making it to the airport in time. Five trains, 15 flights of stairs, an accidental walking detour through a construction site and two whole hours later, I was finally at JFK where my mantra soon became "Air Train blows!"

When I arrived in San Francisco I had to jump on an identical looking Air Train. However, the San Francisco Air Train was actually free, led directly to transit, had working escalators, and wasn't full of people screaming on cell phones. The entire subway system is on an "honor system." For the most part they trust that you pay, and occasionally ask to see your pass. I think I could get used to this.

The Weather
I left New York in the snow. I love snow. I arrived in California in 75 degree sunshine that was unlike the New York 75 degree weather that usually has me complaining about sweat and humidity, hair looking like an afro. This was breezy, I wanted to go hiking, be in a convertible with a dog while boogying to a Beach Boys song. This was weather I think I could get used to.

The only thing people in San Francisco talked about oddly was "the fog." We had to go see stuff "before the fog." I didn’t see why it was a big deal, not until I went out with my friends one night and we encountered the fog. We couldn't see two feet in front of the car! I guess living near water does that.

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