The New York subway isn't as scary as people always say. Especially if you have a smart roommate like Sasha (the irony!). And I'm not talking about myself; I live and hang out with a girl from Vladivostok who has the same name as me, the only difference is that she is Aleksandra and I am Alexandra.

It's hard to explain all the nuances of the subway, but just accept that the lines are divided by color, letters, and two types of dots: black and white. It looks complicated, but once you ride it a bit, you'll realize how simple it all is!

So, we arrived at William Street and headed away from the 140-156 sign because we were looking for 123. We wandered for about 20 minutes in the unbearable heat, stopping passersby: "Excuse me. Can you help us? Where is the Social Security Administration?" - "Someone asked me today. Actually I don't know, but I think that William street is in crossing of Fulton and Ann streets". You know what I'll say? First, a street cannot be at the intersection of two others. Second, that SS office was right across from the subway exit.

Now I want you to remember how you got your passport or ID. A stack of documents, several copies, statements, and stamps, without one of which you are refused service. I was missing 2 papers: a copy of the DS-2019 and a green paper—actually, I don't know what it is. They accepted everything from me without questions and thanked me with a smile. America!

Anyway, since my readers are mostly classmates, it won't be interesting for you to read the details. Just get ready for the upcoming interesting stuff, there will be a lot of it today!

I used to run a blog on VK (https://vk.com/wielec_usa). More information there.