Day 4: Do Tha Rock-a-way..

So we knew it was gonna be crunkville this time around. We had 8 stops left on the Downtown C Train to complete. Last week was scary enough considering we didn't realize we'd be on the outskirts of Bed-Sty, but this week as we ventured even deeper into Brooklyn, we made sure we were prepared to keep it real. Thank god it was cold as fuck out cuz we needed the excuse to bundle up hardcore..The goal was to look as homeless as possible and so we did. The stripper caps came out and the black-camo came on. I was even gonna get me sum grills, but figured that might pose the opposite and look a bit odd. As we hopped the train, the nerves set in as we approached the first stop of the day:
Utica Avenue - It started out pretty quiet, which was good cuz I wanted to get some shots with the camcorder, and it's not easy when the "locals" are watching your moves. Let's just say nuthin's easy or welcoming in these parts, so we tried to be discrete about having our equipment out. Christi decided to bring her small digital camera because she didn't want to use her Nikon too much and draw attention. Utica was not bad. There was some artwork, which was a surprise. We didn't stick around long. Got what we needed to get and on to the next one.
Ralph Avenue was next. This stop wasn't too exciting except when we walked up the stairs we noticed an area that was caged off. We assumed it was once part of the station was now abandoned. Pretty creepy. It reminded me of the Nirvana "Smells Like Teen Spirit" video in the abandon gymnasium.
Next was the Rockaway stop. Nothin special here either. Now I'm not sure what these stations look on the outside since Christi and I were very weary of going above ground. It was sketchy enough being in the subway. A part of me wanted to walk outside some of the stations and see what the area was like. I had an idea, but I wanted to see for myself. We agreed that the stations seemed pretty standard and that the same would be outside.
Next stop and my favorite thus far: Broadway Junction. I already knew a portion of this station was outdoors, but I was amazed by the structure and vastness. This stop was really busy with people as there are a number of line transfers here. We walked up the stairs and caught the escalators to reach the JMZ platform which was outside. The artwork was reminiscient of the Franklin Avenue stop where stain glass windows color the walls. Views of the subway cars going in and out of the station were magnificent to me. I felt like a little kid watching the train cars at an amusement park. Even though videotaping IS allowed in the subway, I still felt uneasy with all the people around. But I had to get footage here. There was more artwork on the upper level and a lot of activity and people on the move. I didn't feel unsafe at all. We stood on the outdoor platform for a bit and watched the cars go to and fro. We noticed what looked like railyards from afar. If it wasn't so cold, I would hung out here awhile longer. Christi and I both agreed that Broadway Junction was out favorite station so far.
I can clump the next 3 stops together: Liberty, Van Siclen, and Sheppard Avenues were all too simliar. Baby Blue lettering defines these stops. Again, we didn't venture outside the underground, but we figured we didn't have to. At this point the battery ran out of Christi's digital camera, so she was forced to break out the Nikon. We were almost done and miraculously the experience had been so far so good, so she wasn's as cautious.
We made our way to the last stop: Euclid Avenue. We definitely felt like we were far out and didn't dwell too much here. The lavender station marked the end of the downtown C stops. We were done for the day and almost done with the line. Cold, but accompplished. Nervous, but brave, Nothing crazy happened like I had anticipated. Maybe it was just too damn cold for the crazies or maybe since we didn't even exit the station, we didn't really experience what was above. I still would have liked to, maybe, but I'm glad we stayed focused and finished the job.