Rocha-chatter

I chose my first apartment in Rochester because it had a bus stop next to it. Then I never rode the bus.

Then I bought a house that also had a bus stop only a few houses down. For five years, I never rode the bus.

Riding the bus was never convenient... it took too long... it didn't fit into my schedule.

Now gas prices are climbing, the earth is heating up and I am running out of excuses.

So I have started taking the bus to work.

When I first told people I was riding the bus they said, "Ewww, what about the weirdos?". I wasn't sure what they meant but I kept thinking about the song from the episode of Family Guy where Peter gets his own theme music from a genie wish... "Riding on a bus... Sitting next to bums... There's an open seat... Hope that isn't pee"

I have been taking the bus for three weeks now and I can say I haven't sat next to any weirdos, bums or puddles of pee. In fact the bus is quite clean. And relaxing. I can hop on and just enjoy the ride. I listen to music and NPR podcasts on my iPod the whole way to the office.

Riding the bus has fallen into a routine for me. I am getting to know my neighbors that wait at the stop with me, I greet the corner elementary school crossing guard, pet the bull mastiff that strolls past each morning and my bus driver says "See you tomorrow!".

There is something about riding the bus that is making me feel like I live in a real city. It bumps and sways along the downtown streets with a rhythm that feels like the heartbeat of the city.

I am sorry it took me so long to realize it.

(My only complaint is when I have to get on a bus wrapped with a McDonald's ad. I can barely see out the windows at the buildings and people who I know are hungrily staring at the side of the bus transfixed by the huge sausage McMuffin. )

Labels: bus