My new life..on the bus

It has been two weeks since my inception into the life of a mass transit commuter. And it has been interesting.

The first Monday I got on the bus I realized that maybe I should have take a day off the previous week and done a test run. Or maybe had a trailer car follow me in case i got stranded or got on the wrong bus. The first Monday morning was a breeze, I hopped on the 94D and headed to Minneapolis, jumped off walked a crossed the street and jumped on the 684 Express to Eden Prairie. I thought this is easy, bus riding is simple, cost effective and I can read or sleep and let someone else deal with the traffic, snow and incapable drivers on the roads.

Then Monday evening rolled around and was I in for a shock. After being dropped off at the stop I waited for 25 minutes. I have a new appreciation for winter in Minnesota and think I am finally getting used to the cold. After accidentally getting on two incorrect busses and right back off I finally figured out the system.

Every day I ride the bus it is a new experience. The conversations that take place are always entertaining. I have found it is a way to unwind from the day and get a little bit of comedy in my day.

Last Saturday I rode the 16 bus that runs a long

University Avenue

and saw a totally different side of St Paul than I had seen in my 2 years of living on the Eastern side of the Mississippi. Upon entering the bus I realized that it was packed. So I stood up front along with another gentleman that had hoped on at the same stop I had. It took roughly 5 minutes for the first conversation to start up. One gentleman wearing a long green coat and having longer brown hair looked as if he had really enjoyed the 80's and decided that he was not ready to give them up yet. Another gentleman sitting across from him also looking as if he was still living in the past were deep in conversation. The other gentleman was wearing sweat pants, a sweat shirt and large rimmed glasses. Side note: It does not matter what you are doing or where you are going sweat suits should NEVER be worn in public. They just look schlub like you really don’t care how you present yourself to the world.

I couldn't help but overhearing the two gentleman's conversation. It quickly turned to the 80's and how wonderful they were. "Morning in America" one man commented. Yes for some it was and others it was. Just then two seats opened up towards the back of the bus so I sat down. The gentleman with the glasses quickly followed and sat across from me. Behind him were a younger gentleman and a lady sitting quietly. The gentleman quickly turned around and engaged them in conversation. He seemed to be a little bit jittery...and mentioned that he had just returned from St Peter... One asked what were you there for, the man replied "oh they just gave me some medication and sent me on my way". "Medication for what?” "The gentleman with glasses replied "oh just stuff to calm me down". The younger gentleman replied "can you do me a favor and let me know when it wears off so I can move seats".

Then without skipping a beast the man with the glasses mentions that he needs to stop by the Cathedral as he has a turtle that has Stigmata and is bleeding out of its flippers. And that is when I lost it.

As crazy as it may sound once you give up your our vanity and allow yourself to be viewed in a different light you are able to see all of the amazing things going on around you.

Stay tuned for more episodes...