Buses and Personal Space

Riding public transportation is actually not too bad.  If I think about leaving Russia, I actually think about how I would actually miss public transportation....in some ways, not all. Shocking, right?  Obviously there are some negatives about public transportation.  

Negative: It is really difficult to take 2 little girls anywhere with you if you have to take PT.  You have to carry them to the bus stop or take a stroller--which is really annoying in some sense because you have to figure out how to get the stroller on the bus along with yourself and the children.  You also have to keep them from squirming, crying, and talking in loud English (in our case singing in loud English). 

Positive: There is no taking in and out of car seats with big winter coats!

Negative:  The bus is crowded!  Sometimes you are so squished that you lose all sense of personal space.

Positive:  If you have children, someone usually gives up their seat for you--note:  always carry a child with you.

Negative:  Sometimes the trolly buses break down, and then you have to get out and walk to the next stop.

Positive:  You have no road rage because you are not driving!  I am never annoyed (ok, only once) at the bus because it is taking forever to get somewhere because I have no control of it.  I just sit and wait for the bus to arrive at my destination.  If we are late, we are late.  We can always blame the bus.  There is no being annoyed at the driver next to you or the driver who cut you off or ran the yellow light.  

Of course overall, I do enjoy getting into my car when back in the States and going anywhere I want in just minutes. 

Yesterday, I left the apartment to go to the art school again.  I left around 5:10pm.  I knew the buses would be crowded because it was "rush hour".  I prepared myself to lose my personal space.  I hoped on the 27 bus, and yes I lost ALL personal space and then some.  I am pretty sure my face was smashed to the glass and the person on the other side of the glass by the door had a pretty view for 2 stops.  Plus being crammed in a bus, traffic was busy too because everyone who had a car decided to go somewhere at the exact same time.  So, of course I was squished for an extra 10 minutes.

  I kept waiting for the lady who collects the money to come around.  I heard her money jingling in her pockets, but never saw her.  There was another couple standing by me who also needed to pay.  We all waited and waited, but there were so many people, and I had no idea how she was going to actually get through to the middle of the bus.  Finally, my stop came and I got off, still not paying.  I have no idea what I was suppose to do.  The couple got off the bus and went to the first door by the driver to pay.  I followed.  The lady just waved her hand and said something as the door shut and they drove away.  I guess I got a free ride.  I am still trying to decide if I am suppose to feel guilty for this act of "stealing" or not.  I'll let you know if they come looking for me.

Blessings,

Philip, Kara, Adalynn, and Gwen