Which Way is North ?

by Maura J. Donnelly
This book was developed under the auspices of the
City University of New York, Office of Academic
Affairs.

For more information about CUNY Adult Literacy/

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Copyright 2009
Updated and Reprinted 2011

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When I first moved to New York,
I always got lost.

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I got lost walking I got lost taking I got lost on
on the street. the bus. the subway.

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 Everybody in
New York talked about

north, south, east and

west.

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I didn’t know about north, south,
east and west.

I knew about left and right.

What happened to left and right?

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 One time my friend asked me to meet
her at the southwest corner of 25th Street
and 8th Avenue.

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 I didn't ask her for directions.
I just said "Great!”
I didn't want her to think that I didn't know my
way around the city.

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I had a plan. I know my friend is always on time.
So I arrived a little late on purpose.
My friend was already standing on the southwest
corner.
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I walked right up to her and said “Hi!”
It looked like I knew exactly
where I was going.
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Now I have lived in New York for five years.

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 I ride the subway.

I ride the bus.

I walk a lot.

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 I know that the East River is to the east.

I know that the Hudson River is to the west.

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 I forgot about left and right.

Now I talk about north, south, east and west.

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Yesterday I asked my friend to meet me
at the northeast corner of 25th street
and 8th Avenue at 2 p.m.

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 At 1:55p.m.
I was standing on the northeast
corner of 25th Street and 8th Avenue
waiting for my friend. 17
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