Take the bus

I really should take the bus more. Short bus rides, from campus to DuPont, and long bus rides, like the one I’m on now, from Washington to Philadelphia. There’s so much value, often unappreciated in my own life, about sitting next to a stranger, knees touching because the seats are so close to each other, packed together with 50 other people on a hilariously elongated vehicle designed to transport people in the least comfortable way possible. 

The people to your left and right, in front and behind you too, are going somewhere important, like home, where I’m headed now. Someone is expecting them, or they’re on an adventure, or they’re dreading what’s next. They’re all together for the moment, because they bought the same $40.95 ticket on FlixBus. 

I missed my train before getting on this bus. I sprinted through Union Station to get to the track, only to get shut down by the attendant. She looked smug as she closed the gate. I called my dad, who didn’t pick up, so I cancelled my train ticket and found this bus. I was looking forward to finding my own seat on the train, getting some work done on my laptop, and relaxing a bit. The bus has been bumpy and long. Not relaxing. 

But I’m glad I took it. We’re rolling into the Philadelphia bus station now, and I have a headache. I’m also very hungry. But in an hour, I’ll be relaxing at home with my brother and sister, eating home cooked food. So I don’t mind.