The Philadelphia Underground

In the past few weeks, it has become clear that we need to try to be prepared for just about anything, even things that just break our normal routine.  Some of the things may not be life threatening but I just think of it as training for what's to come or a reminder that I must continue to prepare. This morning a train in front of my train broke down and I had to get off 4 stations before my usual stop and walk 10 blocks to my office. No trains were going to those other 4 stops any time soon so waiting was not an option.

When everyone got off the train they pretty much stayed on the platform like a bunch of herded sheep and did not know what to do.  I decided to not be a sheep and left the platform to make my way to my office 10 blocks away.  It was cold but was sunny.  I then remembered that Philadelphia has several miles of tunnels that connect all the major sections and subways of downtown Philadelphia and even has an old nuclear bomb shelter somewhere in this underground city (I would love to know exactly where the bomb shelter is).  I walked several blocks underground but then I realized I did not know exactly how to get to my office through these tunnels.  The fact I decided to walk the rest of the way on street level showed me that I was not as prepared as I should be.  If I had to bug out of the city by walking through underground tunnels then I would most likely get lost or find myself in an area I did not want to be in.

So to ensure I am prepared to be able to walk the city underground I found the below map of the Philadelphia tunnel/subway system.  The lesson I learned is that we should know all the routes to and from where we work and live because we never know when we have to use an alternate way to get to work or home. 

 

Live the Motto - Be Prepared!