When I started to live in this city,
There were lots of trash and rats on the subway rails.
I was surprised by New York!
And when I tried to call on a subway platform,
there was no phone signal on the platform (or in the subway).
I was surprised by New York!

One day, I had to make an urgent call on the subway platform.
So I went up the steps to catch a phone signal.
In the middle of the steps, I realized I had left my luggage on the platform.
I was scared that somebody would steal my luggage.
So I rushed back to the platform and saw a strange scene.
Five or six people with scared faces were surrounding my luggage.
One of them was desperately trying to call with his phone.
(I believe his phone had no signal, either, fortunately.)

At first, I couldn’t understand this situation.
Because I had never seen this kind of situation in my country,
Even though I had left my belongings on the platform
or in the subway several times.

I stopped and tried to figure out what was going on.
And suddenly I realized
They were thinking my luggage was for terrorism!

I ran and shouted in poor English.
“I’m sorry! It’s mine!”
When I grabbed my luggage, everybody looked relieved.
I surprised New Yorkers!
(Against my will)

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Hansol Ji writes, “I am someone who likes to observe, understand, and imagine things, including my own life. However, I never imagined that I would leave South Korea and live in New York during my lifetime. And I never thought that I would have a native New Yorker for a baby!” Hansol Ji studies English at the Jefferson Market branch of the New York Public Library. His instructor is Jean Choi, and the site adviser is Sherin Hamad.