I survived walking alone at night

There's something about walking around New York City at the wee hours. It feels like you're in an entirely different place. All the stores are closed, the streets empty, and the people are nowhere to be found.

I took a quick trip around the city about a few weeks ago. I was asked if I wanted to join a walk at night. As the kaladkarin ("easy to drag" according to google translate which I feel is not right but close) that I am, I just said yes. The plan got cancelled.

Being the stubborn person that I am, I went anyway. The first plan was to go to Gantry to take some photos there as it shows a good view of the Manhattan Skyline even at night. The main reason was that I had to perfect "the grid" for my instagram account. (Sorry not sorry).  Majority of my photos were terrible (but I posted it anyway) so I have decided to move to Brooklyn.

View from Gantry State Plaza. Shot using a Nikon D3100 with a 35mm.

It was after work, so my sister decided to come with me. Funny thing is that I actually asked her if she really wanted to do it and if she was sure since it's getting late, and I know that I'm going to WALK A LOT!!! She agreed anyway and I was surprised. BUUUT a few minutes after we reached Brooklyn Bridge Park, she told me that she's leaving because it's getting chilly. Mind you, she was already wearing a sweater at that time and I, only a thin shirt. It wasn't.

Carousel with the Bridge at the background from Brooklyn Bridge Park.

I knew that she would bail last minute but I still decided to stay and do what I really came for. I walked with her towards the subway station. She went down, and I went straight. As we all know, there are two bridges near the park, and that one is more famous than the other. I can't decide which bridge to cross, so I was asking my friends but the moment I posted the question, I already knew which path I should take. I walked straight towards Manhattan Bridge. To be honest, I was scared and excited at the same time as I was roaming around alone, and clueless of what I may encounter.

The moment I set foot at Manhattan Bridge, I scanned my surroundings. I tried to inspect the bridge for any signs of life but I didn't find anything. I was alone. I was a little bit scared but I was determined. I just thought to myself that the bridge is all mine. No bikers. No joggers, just me.

As soon as I have crossed at least a third of the bridge, such enthralling view has frozen my feet. I gazed at the horizon and saw the lights that has wrapped around Brooklyn Bridge, and the lights coming out of the skyscrapers. I knew I made the right choice. I took my camera out to try and capture the beauty before my eyes. My hands were shaking from the anxiety, and so did the bridge. The cars and the trains passing by made the bridge shake with me. I had my trusty little tripod but it wasn't enough. Still, I had to make it work.

The first few photos were terrible! T E R R I B L E. My hand was shaking, the bridge was shaking, the tripod can't hold the camera well. The odds were not in my favor, but the force to shoot was stronger. I still tried even though I had all the reasons to give up and leave.

I walked a little bit more towards the mid part of the bridge. The view was still the same, so were my photos. It felt like the bridge was stretched, and was longer compared to the last time I was there. It felt like I was walking forever, alone, and still scared. 

I told myself that I'm not gonna leave until I take a "good enough" photo, good enough to be posted on my instagram account. Thing is, you'll never know what is good until you reach home, and start seeing your photos on a bigger screen. It took me about 5 more days before I was able to review my photos since I had to send my laptop for repair. 

I tried to tying the tripod on the rails but it was too small to wrap itself around the metal bars. I tried holding it, I tried putting it on the floor, so basically, I tried everything. The bridge were still shaking but it was less. As the night grew, the cars became less, so did the interval for the trains, and so were the people.

I walked, and walked and walked until I reached the end of the bridge. The street lights were out. As the walkway grew darker, I got more scared, but was trying to act stronger and hopeful because I know that I'm about to hit the streets, finally be able to see more light and life.

I was tired. The first instinct was to go home but the will to walk around was still stronger. I stayed. I was already out so I might as well, max it out like my credit card so I walked around. Not knowing what to really do, I just took whatever shot wherever. I turned at different alleyways, found nothing, and still found no people. I was hoping that I'd be able to bump to at least one photographer that night. I mean it's NYC after all and so I did.



Chinatown is somewhat known to be one of the busiest parts of the city but at that time, it was the complete opposite. The people you bump into at the streets could be counted with just one hand. The vibe was totally different. It was dark, quiet, somewhat peaceful, empty.

Walking around at night makes you realize that you will always find peace amidst known chaos. That the same place could be so much different based on the time, so are people. This would make you realize how strong you are, and that you just have to find the right medium to acknowledge it. It's more than just a walk.