Forget linear travel
The turn was wrong, on so many levels. Actually, on one level, but this is my blog; I can overdo things if I choose. We were on the city bus, on schedule, due to make the connection on the university campus. When the bus driver turned right, early, we all took notice. When he pulled over and parked, we came to attention. Full stop.
I was first to the front, wanting to know if there was a detour on our carefully timed route. The bus driver paused (easy, he was already stopped) and admitted that he was lost. First day on a new route number, the crib sheet in his briefcase, and twenty-five hungry customers… no, that’s from the zombie book. But he was lost. And he was contemplating a U-turn. Tougher than you think, when your ride is forty feet long, four seats wide and slow to react to the whole idea.
I suggested that we continue, just a little bit further, and enter the campus through the back gate. Once there, we’d compromise. We were too late. The X (that’s the second of a pair of route buses) turned in front of us, and I knew I would have to replan my life.
With my years of experience, I caught another bus, to another part of the city. And then I transferred, again. Forget linear travel in the world of public transport. It turned out well, actually, with only five minutes added to my transit time. Home, just in time to clean up after the stressed out pup. After all, I was late.
