The City Bus

Over the last year, I've started to ride the city bus. At first I never thought I'd get used to it. I felt like I'd get lost and I felt claustrophobic being on a bus with a handful of people I did not know. But I got to love watching the world pass by me through the window and I got to love the people I'd meet on the bus.

That's the weirdest thing about bus rides - the people that you meet. Some people rub you the wrong way. they really get under your skin and you sit as far away from them as possible. And others, you are driven too. You sit in the seat behind, or across from them on the bus, watch them, wonder who they are and what kind of life they lead.

The saddest thing about the bus rides is meeting someone who you have a connection with, even just a friendly connection, And then losing them. There's nothing definite on the bus. There are regular bus-riders and then those who are just visiting or whose car is in the repair shop. I've met a few people I'd like to see again.

The tall guy who discussed art with me on the bus,,,you and your t-shirt - I think it was a Pink Floyd t-shirt. Where are you now? Who are you? We didn't talk at all during the hour bus ride. But you sat across from me and kept staring at me. I kept staring to the left of me, avoiding eye contact. Then when we got off the bus, you told me how much you loved my outfit and asked me if I was artist because you said I looked like one. We talked about art and music for a little while, then went our seperate ways. I never saw you again.

The old lady with the colorful scarves. When I used to ride route ten by my old house, I'd see you almost every day. Now I never see you. You were the sweetest old lady. We'd sit and discuss scarves or my outfit that day, or your grandkids. I enjoyed our conversations even if they were brief. Now I miss them hearing about your family and your life.

The most common question you can be asked by a fellow bus rider is the direction you're going in. Whenever I'm asked I don't want to give the expected answer - "Oh route twelve". I'd rather start telling them about my plans for the future or even quote one of my favorite Jim Croce songs: "I've got a song and I carry it with and I sing it loud. If it get's me nowhere I'll go there proud." Asking me about the direction I'll be travelling in for the next hour is so vague, so impersonal. I want to connect with the people I meet. Even if I never see them on the bus again.