Kathryn

Week One:

I’ve always had this romanticized vision of what city life would be like. I’m glad to say that after one weekend spent in the city without my car I haven’t lost the awe; if anything it’s only deepened, and I now know my own neighborhood better than before.

Friday morning after catching a semi-late R5 to Bryn Mawr, I arrived at work with a healthy glow from my bike ride to Market East Station an hour earlier. The entire morning went by with ease, probably because I wasn’t anxious from my usual 45min traffic commutes. There are no cars on the road at 6am. In fact, the only noise I heard before 10th and Market St. were the chirping of the birds. I locked my bike up at the bus stop and waited on the empty platform. It was 6:40am.

Later that night I walked to First Friday on the Art Gallery strip with a few new friends. Let me just say that hauling around in high heels is definitely easier when it’s a slow paced gaze at some local artist openings. The city is filled with people at night and it was great not to worry about parking in the commotion. Plus, I have more time for conversing with different people. A four-dollar cab ride home saved my soles. I’m not sure how I feel about bike riding in stilettos. I’ve seen it done though.

Saturday I opted for sneakers as I thrift shopped in SOSO. I mean I did save $30 on gas, or rather the lack there of this week. That night I went out for Mexican food. Cinco de Mayo anyone? Reflectors are a girl’s best friends at night. Beware of drunk drivers on the weekend. I was only a dozen blocks from home so late night riding wasn’t so bad.

I haven’t gone food shopping with my bike yet, but I plan on hitting the Italian Market and Asian Grocer sometime this week. I’ve heard you can get fresh Mozzarella balls for less than three bucks. I’m going to eat more fresh foods since I don’t have room to transport extras. That means new recipes folks. Ok, so dinner party at my house Friday night? I love this city!

Week Two:

Getting around the city without my car has been a piece of cake. I ride my bike everyday and taking the train to work has become my favorite thing about my job. I must admit that I took a cab to the train station this past week. It was raining heavily and I chickened out of walking. I paid for it later by getting caught in a rainstorm on my way home. Note to self, bike brakes can be tricky when wet. I’m getting my Pumas this week, courtesy of PhillyCarShare. Hopefully the weather will hold up and I’ll be able to use them for my daily jogs. Oh, and a bike tune-up is way cheaper than a car tune-up, extra money for the weekend, priceless.

Friday night I rented a Mini Cooper to visit Jeff, my beau, down in Delaware. Totally worth it! I picked it up at the 4th and South St. location with no problems. If you haven’t driven one yet I suggest you do. It’s so much fun to drive and super easy to park. The tank was full and the car was clean. Next time I’m getting a hybrid; to go down the beach maybe, we’ll see.

I regret that I was unable to attend the SustainaBall this past Saturday night. I have a great excuse for my lack of mingling with local environmentalists. Saturday night Jeff and I went to the spectrum and were able to score awesome side front row seats to The Cure! I didn’t know this prior, but venues wait till the stage is set for whatever show they are having and then they add seating in the front rows. These tickets are conveniently sold the day of the concert. A la ten yards from Robert Smith. After the show we headed back to my neighborhood and grabbed a few drinks at The New Wave. I love their veggie white pizza! A two-block walk home is the easiest ending to the best night of the week.

Week Three:

The 57 bus runs up 3rd street about every fifteen minutes each day on a normal workweek. On a normal workday I’m not standing in the rain carrying a giant bowl of homemade pasta salad. Tuesday was not a normal morning, and the bus was delayed a good 15 minutes. The rain gave me some insight into the El transfers and the bus route. Not a bad ride, although I prefer riding my bike right to the train. Solitude is a beautiful thing first thing in the morning. I walked the 10 blocks home that day and I’m proud to say I beat the bus. That’s right, and my calves are burning.

The Dive Bar on 7th and Passyunk is my new Wednesday night hangout. I had a chance to sing last week and I’m hoping to hit up the open mic night again, this time with my roommate. Thursday while walking home I bumped into an old friend of mine and proceeded to walk in the opposite direction of my house. It was a beautiful day for strolling and while crossing Market Street I happened to see Brini Maxwell. I fanatically wandered into Fosters where she was hosting a designing event for MANNA, a well-known charity that I would love to volunteer for. In fact, their next orientation is May 22. If I had a car I would never have had the chance to sing in public, see a cult-favored celebrity or become involved in a new non-profit; at least not all in the same great city.

I stayed in for most of the weekend. Saturday night I met friends for drinks at The Side Car Café. Sunday morning I could hear the music from the Italian Market festival 8 blocks away. I was, however, catching up on some reading and art projects. The rain did hold up me up for a little while. But overall it was a storybook weekend filled with Woody Allen flicks, a fireplace and the stormy city backdrop.

Week Four:

I’m officially going back to school in the fall. I got my acceptance letter and now all I have to worry about is paying for it. Gas is up past $4 and I don’t think I’ll be driving anywhere for a good while. That’s practicing what I preach. I’m going back to school for Environmental Studies and Design. I’ve decided to officially sell my car. I will be confined to the city for the rest of the year. I’m not complaining. I love it here. Plus, everyone I know wants to sell their cars and move to the city, right guys? I could use the company although; I have made a few new acquaintances.

I’ve been trying to scope out the best coffee shops for working. There’s one called Red Hook Café on 4th Street just above Queen St. that I haven’t been to yet, but apparently they have great panini sandwiches. I really like The Bean Exchange at 7th and Bainbridge right now. I guess I’m still trying to find my niche.

I haven’t experienced any real dilemmas getting around the city without a car. I finally took my bike on the train. Some people are a little reluctant to give up their seat for me but a lot of people ask me questions like am I riding because of gas prices or do I even own a car? It’s nice that so many people are interested in alternative transportation. With all of the extra passengers the trains are running a little behind lately. I’ve learned to adapt to the train schedule better than the unpredictable patterns in morning traffic.

Ok, so a little update on my synchronic life as of this week. Wednesday my roommate and I went to The Dive. Good times, good people. Friday night my beau and I went to World Café Live to see Danielia Cotton. He had won tickets from WXPN, which has become my favorite radio station. Little did I know that the opening band was going to be The Alternate Routes, the band whose song I had just covered a couple of nights prior. The band is also from Connecticut, as am I coincidently. I love how everything I do in the city gives me that De ja vu feeling.

Saturday morning I walked to get breakfast, found my new favorite bagel place and decided I needed a dog all within 20 minuets. All it takes is a 7am stroll on a Saturday to realize the mingling benefits of owning your very own puppy. Nothing beats owning your own bike in the city, nothing.

Week Five:

The last week of the challenge has been as easy as pie. It hasn’t felt like a challenge in a while. I think having to get up a little earlier in the morning and exercising as a means of transportation has become such a routine that I don’t really think about it anymore. Waking up used to be my least favorite part about going to bed. Now, I’m not worried about the traffic or car problems. I don’t have to be in defense mode first thing in the morning. I get to the train station in time to catch one of three trains that leave on my schedule. My memorization of this city has happened so quickly. From train and bus schedules, certain hot spots and markets, to different events that happen all over the city. After one month I’m hooked.

I spent most of the weekend in NJ at a house warming holiday party. All I kept thinking was ‘what happened to the grid?’ Guess this means I’m a city girl now. I came home to find my neighbors and their many dogs out in street relaxing and enjoying the day, perfect time to go shopping in the Italian Market. Claudio’s Mozzarella is my new favorite snack spot. As it turns out I’ve found a lot of really great places to eat in the city. At the same time I’ve been biking and walking everywhere I need to go so I’ve gotten into shape. I’ve made little goals for myself too. Health goals are my main focus, but I have a lot of environmental goals as well. Influencing the public to reduce their ‘carbon footprint’ as they say is my greatest accomplishment.