Every word of it 100% accurate. And there was sooooooo much more.
At 5yo I would walk away from the hand holding line walking to kindergarten. I'd go straight down the hill to the city bus. Sometimes I'd wind up in Coney Island, and others China Town.
I'd make money by finding the tallest building, and pushing the elevator buttons for people. Usually a nickle per ride.
In 1-2 hours I'd make enough for a slice of Pizza, vanilla shake, and return bus fair. (the bus was a dime token, the pizza 25 cents, and the shake 50.
Most days I'd be home by dark 4-5ish. Five years old.