Wierd?

[TankgirlyC]

Ok----this came up at work and I wanted to know what others thought.

I live about 15 minutes outside of Boston. I never go there because I dont know my way around and tetest getting lost and I totally freak out when I do. I go into Boston maybe 1 time every 4 or 5 months.

Ive also never been to NYC.....EVER.

The people I work with think its nuts that I dont know ANYTHING in Boston and couldnt get anywhere. They also think its strange Ive never been to NYC...

are they right?

[pisces2473]

My roommate was from south of Boston and had never been to NYC until we were sophomores in college. So no, I don't think it's weird. The only reason I had ever been to either NYC or Boston was b/c one aunt worked in the city and took me in a few times (until I was old enough to go w/ friends) OR I went w/ school on trips. I've been to Boston b/c another aunt lives there, and then I went to grad school up there.

I've only been to DC once b/c I went w/ school. People think that's weird.

But, you only learn your way around a city if you go there and explore. Boston is HARD to get lost in. I think it's a little weird that you lived so close and never went in w/ your family, but hey, mine never went into New Haven (not that it's anything like Boston, lol).

[tipsy88]

I think only it's because you live so close. but does it really matter what they think?

[TankgirlyC]

Ive been TO Boston with my parents........

Im saying tha tI dont go in on my own to do things, like shop, eat, bar, club.

Boston is VERY easy to get lost in. All those one way streets and one wrong turn your in a bad area.....eep!

I believe at 23 Im old enough to go with friends....but I dont.

[pisces2473]

Well, I wouldn't go in at night by myself...but I had no problem finding my way around there when I lived there and I went in a lot by myself. You ought to just try it...don't go to anywhere sketchy...get on the Green line, get off at Arlington, and just walk around that area. It's safe! Bring a little street map in your pocket/purse and if you need some orientation, pop into a store or Starbucks to look at it. That's what I did.:)

[TankgirlyC]

Im not talking about during the night.....Im talking about during the day.....walking around/driving I get lost and scared.

The T is a good idea but Im looking to know how to drive around since the T stops at 1230 and if Im at a bar or whatever----I cant get home if Im there past 1230.

I dont even know how to get off the red line and onto the green line to get to Arlington.

[pisces2473]

You have to overcome these fears. Why are you so scared of getting lost? You can always get on the T and go back to where you started and if there's no T nearby, you go up to someone who looks safe and ask where the nearest T stop is.

The last time I heard there was a bus service that ran late at night to take you from the city to the suburban T stops. Called the Late Owl or Night Owl or something. It was for that purpose--people going to the clubs and not wanting to get stuck.

I can understand being a little afraid of not knowing your way around; I used to study the maps so I had a general idea of where things were, what T stops were nearby, etc.

You change from Red to Green at Park Street. Go me! I left Boston in December and I STILL remember! LOL

www.mbta.com

[TankgirlyC]

Yes I know at Park STreet but there is the C D E and F....which one GOES to Arlington?

Getting lost and me dont get along. I get a wopping headache and get all shaky because I dont know where I am or how to get to somewhere that will get me home.

The actual T stops at 1230....even if I took a bus to the local T stop I dont have a train to get on. Plus being on those late at night...not my idea of safe. Thats why I want to drive in.

Like I said before I need to learn the city in my CAR not using the T. The T is simple enough....its the driving, knowing which streets are one way-----what places are near what and how to DRIVE there.

I dont even know how to drive to Newbury street, Fenway, Quincy Market or Fanuel Hall. I dont even know whats around these places thats fun to go to.

[pisces2473]

You have to look at the map. Arlington is a stop on the Green line (if you didn't know). The map will tell you which train you need to take. Or you can ask someone. I can't tell you how many times people would ask me for help.

What you described about getting lost sounds like a panic attack. That's not good for you or your body. You should have fun and go out and do things without being so worried. Myabe you could start out small and just go in for a bit, walk around the area of the T stop and then go home. The next time, branch out some more.

I don't think I explained the bus thing right--you pick up the bus downtown, and it stops at all the T stops on that line. So you would drive to the T, take the T IN but coming out you'd take the bus. For instance, if you parked at Alewife, you'd take an inbound Red Line T and then when you wanted to go home, you'd get on the Alewife bound bus that would stop at all the Red Line T stops from downtown to Alewife.

I don't blame you on the driving. The first time I went into Boston was on a dark rainy night. I drove in to meet up with people from school. It was my first grad school social thing and I wanted to go. I made it there--what an adventure! LOL

[TankgirlyC]

ok so it will tell me which letter train to take...but not HOW to get to it. Whenever I get to Park STreet----I can never find the track where the letter train I need is going to be.

Yes its a bit of a panic attack.....but its when Im driving.....
As for taking the T somewhere getting off walking around....Im fine doing that....I guess. But usually my heart pounds until I know Im going in the right direction to where Im heading.

Ive never just driven or gone on the T gone off and wandered around without a specific place to go to. Im not the wandering type.
Its like ok Im going to go to Newbury street...thats where I go thats where I walk..I then walk back to the same T stop I got off on and head home. No stopping anywhere else.

But when Im driving and I get lost....I get scared because I dont know alot of roads....and there are alot of roads. So when I go somewhere I need exact directions and if I make a wrong turn I do pretty much freak out.

As for the late bus thing----thats a cool service but i would feel safer taking my car into Bos.....walking back to it....driving home.

[pisces2473]

You have to follow the signs. Yeah, Park is MUY confusing, but you just have to keep your eyes open, especially since all different branches run on the same tracks. It's not one of my faves either.

The only reason I never drove downtown was b/c parking is EXPENSIVE!

[Rainster]

All the Green Lines go through Arlington.

I visit friends in Boston a couple times a year, and I *love* getting lost! Even at night... When I'm exploring, though, I usually have one of those really small, discreet "pop-up" maps that fit in my pocket or bag.

Getting lost in or near the T is probably the safest, since it's incredibly public or crowded and there are MBTA people or even cops to ask directions from.

When really lost or a really bad panic attack hits, the great thing is that there are cabs all over... and they can take you to wherever you want to go. A tad expensive, but safe. Even if it's a few blocks (which won't be that expensive), you might feel safer knowing there are people around.

But I know what you mean about driving... I would never drive there....

[coll214]

I don't think it's weird to never have really been into the city much. I was probally 15 before i ever went into NYC beyond driving through... and Boston i've still only been to certain places. I've never really gone to just hang out. Most people i think from other areas (besides New England) seem to think that just b/c all these places are so close to each other, we all must visit al the time...

Tank- As for getting lost, you just have to try and relax and try to back track to where you started from. Personally, i love getting lost and finding new ways to get somewhere...but i'm weird like that :D

[robca2]

I recently moved to Somerville and didn't know my way around Boston at all. This is how I sometimes familiarize myself with a new area:

I'll drive into Boston, or wherever, early in the day with a street map and on a day when I have Nothing else planned. I'll make note of the street signs and buildings I pass and just wander around the city taking turns onto any random street. If I don't haphazardly end up where I started or onto a street/highway that I DO know, then I use the map to navigate my way out.

Since it's the middle of the day and I had nothing else planned, I don't worry about getting lost, and I can pull over and take as long as I need to in figuring out how where I am and how to get out using the map. If I'm Completely lost I'll just get on the nearest highway and get out. Then, it's always easy (though roundabout) to use highways to get yourself back to a familar area.

When I get home I'll try to follow where I went on the map.

The next time I'm in the city, I recognize the things I passed before and I always have new points of reference that help me figure out where I am.

It works well for me, but guys are better with directions and navigating anyway, right? :P

-Rob

[pisces2473]

I forgot to mention this to you before, Tank. My aunt has lived in metro Boston for years and when she first moved to the area, she would go into Boston on a Sunday morning and just drive around, familiarizing herself with the roads and things...there was less traffic, not a lot of people out, etc. so it was pretty stress-free.

[coll214]

Rob- Not ALL women are bad w/ directions and navigating...;)

Sometimes what i do too is purposelly pick a way i don't know to get home from somewhere so that I have to figure out where I am- I've found many shortcuts that way!!