“I will be right back.. and don’t let the pigeon drive the bus!!” As I read Mo Willem’s tale to Marley, I began thinking of my excursions on the bus (or the Shame Train, as we called it) when I was young and asked myself, “Would I want my children to ride the bus like I did?”
My very early memories of the bus are wonderful. My father was a transportation driver and would take the kids with him to work when we were very young – memories of enjoyment and happiness as we rode along with him. As I entered my teen years, my trips on the bus were entirely different – ones better described as miserable and depressing. Due to a lack of transportation, I spent most of my teen years either walking or taking the bus to my destinations.
Now I will admit, I met some interesting people this way. But I was also cornered by an endless parade of talkative popinjays and harassed by America’s not so rich and famous. My walkman saved me many of times. I’d just turn up the music and pretend like I couldn’t hear them. I remember one particular instance where I was riding the bus and somehow missed my stop (for those of you that are familiar with my sense of direction, this will come as no surprise). So, I had to stay on the bus until it looped back around to re-visit my stop. There I was, just hanging out with the bus driver as all of the people exited the bus.
Yes, my children could learn a lot about people by taking public transportation.. the interesting smells and sounds of the road. However, knowing what I went through, I think I’d prefer to chauffeur them around until they are old enough to drive themselves. Call it paranoia……maybe.
PopRandBMetalMan said,
May 18, 2010 at 8:42 am
LOL Its the same for me, the good times were riding with Dad and as we got older and in the Bay Area the bus trips were not the same. I too walked or biked everywhere. I think I was with you when you missed the stop, weren’t we going to Hollywood Rocks if I remember correcty? I remember being on Bascom and going too far.
I dont blame you, I wouldnt want my kids taking the bus if I could avoid it. The light rail out here doesn’t seem to be as bad as the buses used to see in the Bay Area.
dewdropsinthegarden said,
May 18, 2010 at 8:59 am
Ha yeah, we are one in the same
That is so funny that you were there.. very good memory. Yes, it was on the way to Broadway Rocks. I don’t even know where the bus’ final destination was, but it was way far. We ended up near a park somewhere or something. Too funny.
Dave said,
May 18, 2010 at 9:55 am
Sounds like you guys ended up at Vasona in Los Gatos.
Coming home from Bellarmine, we often took the 63 bus. If we didn’t time it right, we’d end up at the Repo Depo stop (over by Paramount Imports) at the same time all of the special needs adults were getting off work. That meant a loud, crowded bus that couldn’t have been smellier if cows had boarded. On the positive side, it made for interesting memories, inside jokes and interesting conversations. Oh boy!!!!
dewdropsinthegarden said,
May 18, 2010 at 10:42 am
D – I bet you are right, I was only in the fifth grade so I don’t quite remember what the park looked like. I just remember feeling like I was way too far from home. It seems you and I took a lot of the same bus routes..and we didn’t even know it. I guess my criteria for the kids is if they ever are in a situation where they had to take public transportation, is that they really know their way around first.
Sent from my iPod