When the rules of a place dictate that our super-sized American personal space is constantly broached, the outcome is never boring. This is certainly the case with both New York's public transportation system, especially the subways, and Western North Carolina's contra dances. Both of these places have influenced who and how I am. I love the unpredictable nature of these encounters during the dance of life. While riding the subway in New York City, I was struck by the similarity between my encounters with people on the subway and the dance floor.