So there have been some things I've observed the past three days that are worth noting, just because, again, I've never seen anything like it:
- The other day, when my whole neighborhood was without power, the local ShopRite was up and running on a generator. The place was packed - I mean, it's ALWAYS packed, but this was something else - and I thought it was mostly people buying food. But there were A TON of people there in search of working outlets so they could charge up their phones. At the end of each aisle, there'd be literally 2-6 people gathered, sitting on the floor or standing around waiting for their stuff to charge in powerstrips that were plugged under the shelves. Whoever provided those? Is awesome.
Yesterday, I noticed that half my neighborhood - the part that got flooded - is still without power. I headed down to the local Starbucks, which was crowded with people powering up. Others were plugging their stuff into the sides of an apartment building nearby. I know people are addicted to their phones and whatever, but I have to say, my phone was my lifeline when the power went out. I had to conserve the battery as much as possible, but it helped me figure out what was going on closest to me and helped make sure everyone I knew was okay. So I totally get people standing out in the cold for an hour to get their phone charged. My neighborhood is restored, but if it weren't, I'd toss down a power strip from my window with a sign telling people to have at it.
- Even though there's power, and there are bunch of "chain" places in town, none were open at 9:30 that morning. Not the McDonald's. Not the Duane Reade (their registers were down), not the Dunkin' Donuts. The Starbucks was open, yes, but it had no food. There were very few bagels at the local bagel/breakfast deli. Fresh food was almost impossible to come by, although I did manage to get a dozen new eggs yesterday, which, woo!
- Today I had to venture into Manhattan to see a doctor, since my regular doctor and local urgent care are in Hoboken, and, yeah, it might be awhile before I see them. Anyway, I took the ferry, which had long lines, but no one got crazy and "GET ME ON THE BOAT OR EVERYONE DIES" or anything. Which is why I didn't understand why Homeland Security, packing heat, was there. But anyway. It was pretty freaking sweet not having to pay for the subway - probably the only time that's ever happened in the 13 years I've been working up here.
When I left the doctor, I took a cab back to the ferry, and the driver was telling me about how he had to go to Tarrytown to get gas at 3 a.m. and waited two hours in line. He also had to take a few doctors into Brooklyn, and when he worried he wouldn't be able to get back into Manhattan without anyone in his car (the rule right now is no less than three people in a car to get on the island), they gave him a special doctor's note. This is seriously stuff you don't see/hear every day.
- When I got back to Jersey City, I had to fill a prescription, stupidly thinking the Duane Reade in Newport would be open. This is what I saw:
I was pleasantly surprised to see the waterfront, where Ken and I spend many Saturdays, and where I walk when I go into Hoboken, was in good shape. The "Beach" however, was taped off. I'd walked past there on Sunday, surprised to see all the deck chairs still in the sand 1) In October and 2) Before a hurricane. I'm now wondering where they are.
I don't know what's going on with this building, but I can't imagine it's supposed to look like this:
I did see this too - in the distance, you'll see what I'm pretty sure is a dock. What it's resting on, I don't know:
And then, a little further down, there was this:
I don't think this stretch of boardwalk is there normally - meaning it was torn from another part, I think a few feet up because there looked to be a huge gap in the walkway, and put here. By man or by water, I don't know, but either way, it was in pretty good shape the last time I walked over it, so this just sucks.
