Magic Umbrella Man

There are many things I love about New York and living in Manhattan.  One amazing phenomenon is the magical umbrella men that appear out of nowhere.  I remember the first time I experienced this wonderful gift... I had just moved to the city in September 1998 and was checking out different neighborhoods when I stumbled upon the Flat Iron building.  I was standing across the street admiring the architecture I had seen on TV when the sky opened up and it began to rain.  In California, this didn't really happen, when it was going to rain at home, we knew a good day or two before hand.  But here in NY, it seemed to happen at random with no warning.  Well, I didn't happen to have an umbrella on me, so I looked for cover!  By the time I made it under an awning, umbrellas had popped up everywhere!  It seemed that as quickly as it started to rain, there were men with giant black bags full of umbrellas.  I asked how much and the $5.00 seemed like a steal to me, so I bought one and was on my way.  Each time this happened, it never ceased to amaze me that as quickly as it would start to rain, these men would come out of nowhere with their umbrellas.

So last week, when I left for work, the sky looked sunny, but generally I don't worry, because I always carry my purse umbrella.  I always have one... I am nothing if not prepared folks!  But I had just purchased a new purse the night before and was giving it a go, and had not yet transferred everything over.  So when I left in the morning and the sky looked clear, I figured I was good to go and there was no need to run upstairs and grab the umbrella that would normally already be in my purse.

So, when I get out of the subway station a mear 15 minutes later, there are hoards and hoards of people perched on the stairs leading out of the tunnel.  I can't figure out what is going on, so I wait with them.  Then I hear the rain and muscle my way up the stairs.  Sadly it is coming down seriously hard, so there is no way that me and my white shirt are heading out from under a roof.  THEN, I see the magical umbrella man standing there and wala, $5 umbrella purchased and I am on my way. 

Love New York...