MLW: Walking in a winter wonderland

“I’m in a New York state of mind.”

— Billy Joel

I walked through Penn Station and the usually hurried crowd seemed to be walking in a deliberate and cautious manner, as if being lead by a pace car. New Yorkers are not the laid back, “let’s take a stroll” kind of people — especially not in the middle of a work day and not through a massive terminal. This sea of people, however, slowly made its way forward and after having inched my way up to the front to see what was going on, I saw what was holding us up: tourists.

There is something about New York City during this time of year that makes many, if not most, simply want to smile. It’s hard not to. Despite the hustle, the controlled chaos and the frigid winds whipping through the buildings that create Manhattan’s canyons, there is very little to get me down while I walk through the streets, admiring the twinkling lights. While I cannot help but want to walk quickly and get from point A to point B, the ability to walk leisurely not in my DNA, being stuck behind other people who can stroll does not bother me these days.

Walking down 42nd street, I stopped in at the Charmin bathrooms, a Times Square phenomenon available during the holiday season. For those who do not know what it is, it is more than just a public restroom facility. It is an experience. No one has been this proud of me for going to the bathroom since I was being toilet-trained — but here, each person is applauded and cheered. Bathrooms are cleaned between each person, three different kinds of Charmin are available for your use, bathrooms are decorated with different scenes from across the country and you’re encouraged to take a picture on the golden throne. I was given a free box of tissues from one of the gentleman there who was introducing a new product — the tissues had menthol in them and smelled like Bengay, but I took them anyway. No one looked at me funny as I walked on, a box of tissues in my hand. Even that would not make me the craziest person in Manhattan.