New York Cityscape Jigsaw Puzzle

My sister-in-law lived there alone for many years without difficulty. I went to school there for a couple of years. It is an exciting place with lots to see and do and New Yorkers are not the cold, hard people they are often portrayed as. BUT you have to know where not to go and when. I had to take an exam to be certified as a teacher. The test place was on the lower east side and got out at 11 o'clock at night. I had to walk a number of blocks uptown where my car was parked. I could have taken a bus uptown and then walked across town to where I parked but I decided to walk across town first then take a bus. Unfortunately the other street was one way in the wrong direction. I knew I had to walk the rest of the way and none of the other people taking the test had walked this way. I was alone and depite the adage "New York never sleeps" most of the stores were closed and dark. As I crossed a street two police and a man was hanging around. As I passed the guy that wasn't a cop I got a feeling I didn't like and half way up the next block I heard footsteps behind me. I stopped and turned and the guy was in back of me. He gestured for me to keep walking but I shook my head no and started walking back towards the police. I did not report the fellow to them because I thought it was the end of it. The guy had continued to walk away and after I did not see him I thought it safe to go back towards my car. BIG MISTAKE! When I got to the next corner the guy had been waiting behind a building and started following again. Thankfully there was finally an open coffee shop and I went in and ordered some tea. When I got off the counter I had a feeling the guy sitting next to me who was also leaving was okay and I told him aboout the guy following and asked if he'd walk me to my car. He was nice enough to do that and it was only a half block away. We got to the corner and I thanked him but just as he was going to leave the other guy who had again hidden aroound the corner popped up. I called to the nice man to help and he detained the follower until I got in my car and left.

WOW, what a story, how frightening that must have been! You were so smart at every turn, and really looked out for yourself...I'm very impressed by your street smarts!

Wow, Pixie, I am so glad you kept your wits about you and nothing bad happened. Very scary.

I doubt that I would have the "calmness" to do the right thing and not panic. I, too, am impressed by your actions pixipixil!

Thanks, but it was God who somehow warned me that man was a problem. Because ir was not a surprise he did not get the drop on me. I never felt happy about being in the city after that.