The Women At Subway

“Kathmandu,” I asked? That’s the extent of my Nepalese knowledge.

They’ve opened a new Subway a block from work here in Hartford! All the freestanding buildings must be gone because this one is shoehorned into the convenience store that’s already shoehorned into the Mobil station. Judging by the inventory there are a lot of stoners nearby.

The women behind the counter looked West Asian to me. They have an interesting accent–difficult to pin.

“Where are you from,” I asked?

Are you supposed to do that? I’m just inherently curious.

The answer was Nepal.

“Kathmandu,” I asked? That’s the extent of my Nepalese knowledge.

Turns out they’re from Dhulikhel. I hadn’t heard of it either. One of the women spelled it, then when I couldn’t quite understand her pronunciation of the individual letters, wrote it out.

That was enough for a Google search on my phone and the photo you see on the right. There are fewer than 20,000 people in Dhulikhel, but it’s got a Wikipedia entry!

They gave me a few more towns to search. I did when I got back to my desk.

I love this about America. We are from everywhere.

Imagine what cultural shock you must go through making the transition from Dhulikhel to Hartford. Could two places be more different?

“Why did you come to Hartford,” I asked?

Neither seemed to know.

The New York Subway System: 660 Miles, 468 Stations, 106 Years

It is my favored mode of transport while in the city.

I got hooked on the New York City subway system as a kid. Not sure why. Still strangely attracted to it. It is my favored mode of transport while in the city.

This week to mark the 106th anniversary (some parts of the subway look every bit that old) the New York Times has published two photo essays under the heading “660 Miles, 468 Stations, 106 Years.” One is a contemporary view of the system, the other a timeline from day one.

I love this stuff.

Mom’s Home And On The Mend

That’s not to say she isn’t in some pain. She is. The percocets have begun to flow.

First impression–my mom is doing better than I expected! That’s not to say she isn’t in some pain. She is. The percocets have begun to flow.

Still, she was able to get out of bed and sit at the dining room table for dinner. I went to Subway for three roasted chicken subs. Hey Subway–I love those roasted chicken subs.

My mom’s arm is living in its own little foam rubber house. Without a hard cast this is the way the arm is kept immobile. When she sees her orthopod in a week it will be replaced by something a little more substantial. Stef suggested she ask for it to be made in pink.

I’m not sure if the attached photo gives an idea of how cumbersome the foam form is, but we drove back from the hospital with my mom NOT wearing her seatbelt. When I tried to fasten it the belt kept going up across her throat!

A friend said tomorrow would be the worst day then she’d slowly get better. We take it moment-by-moment.